I have a confession to make.
I am scared, frightened and petrified of racing triathlon. You wouldn’t think it when you saw me at the starting line though. Actually, I find many things scary; starting up a conversation at a party, talking to strangers, asking questions in front of others, writing on this blog, posting random thoughts on Facebook, calling up my friends for a quick chat, or going to a job interview. My stomach starts hurting, nausea appears, my heart rate quickens and my palms start to sweat: it’s not a good feeling. The funny thing is that only the other day my two best friends told me over lunch that I come across as an extremely confident person. Huh? That’s the last adjective I would use to label myself but then again I am my own worst self critic.
What I have found about fear is that it is liberating. When I do things that scare me I get a natural high afterwards that makes me feel like I’m capable of anything I set my mind to. It doesn’t always last long which may explain my regular mood swings and how quickly the high can turn into a low. I am working on that.
Before the gun went off at the starting line of my first marathon last month I was nervous and anxious and terrified of the 42.2km ahead. What was I getting myself into? I couldn’t run that many kilometres. The same scenario happened before my triathlon in May, what was I thinking lining up for the open water swim when I haven’t done one in four years? The thing is, I managed both and so much more in my life.
Doing things that scare you are healthy. They make you realise that you are capable of more than you give yourself credit for. I think most of us should give ourselves a little bit more credit from time to time. The scary things that we do help us grow and become better and stronger as individuals, they are also the things that we probably don’t do enough of. So, from now on I’m going to embrace my fear and do things that scare me on a regular basis. I dare you to do the same.
What fears are holding you back from growing as a person or as an athlete? What are you going to do about them?
I’m so thrilled to find your blog, your words are inspiring! I struggle with this mind/fear battle more than I would like to admit but you are right: to defeat it is wonderful! Thank you for this.
http://www.therawjournalist.com
Fear? last word I would have associated with you but that’s often the way with people who achieve. Fear or fear of failing can hold you back but like you say it’s the buzz of doing it! My fear/buzz this summer is learning to drive, terrifying but getting there and trying not to sideswipe anyone 🙂
@ Heather – You’re welcome. Fear is powerful and overcoming it is liberating. All the best 🙂
@ Niamh – The buzz is great. All the best with the driving! Hope it goes well for you and no sideswiping 🙂