Running as exploring
What explorative experiences has sport given you? Leave a comment
Since my brain doesn’t work in a linear way, we start with a post about the end. No, not the end of this.
Last week, two triathletes Daniela Ryf, and Renee Kiley announced their retirement.
Swiss triathlete Ryf was due to retire at the end of the season but she brought it forward after suffering with injury. She is one of the all-time greats who continually raised the bar with 12 world titles and a world record across her career. After 17 years, her retirement marks the end of an incredible era.
Australia’s Kiley, hasn’t been on the scene for as long, but she has an incredible backstory from going from an overweight and unhealthy smoker (her own words) to becoming a professional triathlete.
Kiley said: “The desire isn’t there anymore no matter how hard I have tried to pretend all year that it is. So it’s time for a new adventure.
“I’m not a top athlete with a list of stellar results. But at the very least I hope I have shown people that with hard work & determination, you can achieve more than you ever think you are capable of.”
Her words are something most of us can identify with. The crux is recognising what sport has given you, and changing direction when the drive isn’t there anymore.
Most people end up enjoying sport from a different angle with less structure and more enjoyment. So this week, I reflected on what triathlon has given me. Which brings me to Amsterdam.
I have been here this week for work at the Dutch Grand Prix, and like many of you I bring swimming and/or running kit when I go away for when that window opens. What triathlon gave me is options, experience, and the freedom of being able to do a selection of activities at any opportunity.
Running, I find, is the best way to explore a new place. You go further and get around quicker than walking, and you discover things outside of the centre you wouldn’t have walked to. Or if you work in F1 you can run the track after the working day, which is a common activity - particularly if you’re training for something. I saw one guy using one of Zandvoort’s banked corners for hill reps, and another one doing a speed session. Equally, there are swim spots if that’s your jam, and it’s the Netherlands so bikes are accessible.
The ability to maintain fitness and health so that you can pick up some running shoes, some goggles, or a helmet no matter where you are in the world is priceless. After a discussion among colleagues who travel far more than I do the consensus was not only is it good for you, but it’s good for exploring new places, creating experiences (e.g. running the track gives you an appreciation of the intricacies that you don’t get from seeing it on TV), and you end up chatting to people you wouldn’t have otherwise.
All of this combined gets the best out of yourself, where you are and the longevity of sport, travel and maintaining health, it adds to your experience and memories, and means that changing direction is a new adventure. I thank triathlon for the choice of activities and having the mindset to spot an opportunity to fit it in.
So, moving on from a sport is not the end, it’s the start of a wonderful adventure.
What experiences has sport given you? Comment below.
P.S.
On Thursday after work, I went for some dinner and found a place on a side street in the centre. It has a big window at the front where I people watched while I waited for my food.
I was wearing my favourite long white striped skirt that I bought a few years ago when Euston station had a Fat Face. Stupidly, I still persevere despite it being far too big, and paired it with a very old white lace vest under my checked jacket (yes, now I realise all my clothes are old).
I was feeling the day on me with 12-hour old make-up oily on my face and my hair tied up, having been blown to bits by the strong wind all day.
At the exact moment, I was regretting my outfit choices thinking I should do some shopping while I’m here, and it’s about time I parted with this skirt, when a woman about my age walked in and said “excuse me, this might sound a bit weird…”
Stunned, I looked up and she handed me a scrap bit of paper that said “you look gorgeous! Have a good day” as she explained that I looked “chic and stylish” sat in the window with my curls tied up, dregs of colourful lipstick and my checked jacket.
Of course, my first thought was it’s some kind of weird joke as I felt hideous, until she explained that she was listening to a Dolly Alderton podcast - a woman who is all about style and female friendships - and she wanted to make a point of telling me because she hoped someone would do the same for her.
Her small, but kind gesture made my day (although I’m still convinced it was a joke), and I will keep the scrap piece of paper as a reminder that sometimes you should look at yourself through the lens other people see you. It might be a happier place to be.
I’m still getting rid of the skirt though.
Also…
Are you an outdoor swimmer who has suffered with ‘swimmer’s itch’ (itchy red spots like insect bites after swimming) before?
Researchers from Kingston University want to know about your experience in a short survey to help map the parasite.