We only have what we give. ~ Isabel Allende
One of the things that makes me successful in my life is
that I have surrounded myself with awesome people. Some of them are positive and
enthusiastic. Some are brilliant and knowledgeable. Some are role models and leaders. Some are excellent training partners. And some simply “get me” and can talk me down
from Crazy Mountain. And then there’s
that one person that is all of these and more.
For me, that one person is my friend, teammate, coach, leader, training
partner, and all around awesome human, Sara Dowdy.
Last fall Sara knew I was struggling to train and asked me
to do the swim on a relay at MiamiMan in November. It was exactly the purpose I needed to get in
the weight room and the pool three days a week and put me in the best swim
shape I had been in since high school.
She could have chosen any of the many swimmers faster than me, but it
was exactly the thing I needed, and it was a fantastic weekend with Sara and
her family.
This spring Sara organized the Trinity Team for the IOC
5K. I was happy to join as a walker, and
it was exactly the right thing for me at a time when walking was the best
rehab for my knee. There were plenty of
runners, but making a place for me on that night turned out to be inspirational
and exactly right.
To be fair, Sara does this all the time. No matter what race she is training for, if
someone needs her help she is there. She
opens the pool and does all the open water swims with our newcomers. She runs with anyone that asks and will do a
workout or a race with anyone, no matter the pace. She trains with her parents, her husband, her sister, her friends, her students, and in fact, any random stranger I recruit to our team. She has single-handedly dragged me out for so
many rides, despite the fact that at best the ride will be is tough. On a “great” day she will break me, exactly
when I need it.
This past week was typical Sara. On Monday she rounded up folks for a
run/walk
for Boston. On Tuesday she discovered
she had a wicked ear infection. By
Saturday she was out in St. Petersburg helping her own kids become
triathletes. On Sunday she competed in
her own Olympic length race, once again qualifying for nationals.
I have learned more that I can ever explain from Sara, but
for me the big lesson is clear. Surround
yourself with people that move you forward.
Find those folks that inspire you and attach yourself to them like
barnacles to a boat. Let them lift you
as only they can do. And when you
achieve your goals, turn to the newcomer, the neighbor, the friend, the child,
and do exactly the same.
There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ~John Holmes
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