Inspiration

Over the weekend I received a post card. Yes, snail mail and the USPS still work. It is not the fact of receiving this small piece of mail, it's the impact it has made on me and the impact I have made on the sender. When I started in triathlon about three years ago, it was by the suggestion of a friend. I tried a local reverse sprint triathlon and was hooked. I've never been the fastest in my age group. I have even nicknamed myself "Last Place Larry". I hoped that the efforts of this ordinary father, husband, and business owner would inspire other to reach for the seemingly impossible.

The sender of the post card thanked me for my support, friendship, and building her confidence prior to her first Ironman 70.3 in Arizona this past October. You need to know, this person is a personal trainer, running coach, and coach for a chapter of Moms in Motion. She has multiple long distance running races in her history including the Boston Marathon. She also has coached her Moms in Motion team for sprint and olympic distance triathlons. How could I, an nonathletic sweaty mess, inspire an already accomplished athlete and personal trainer?

When you start on a path to a goal, people are watching. While you are training, they are watching you. While you prepare, they are watching you. When you achieve your goal, they are celebrating with you. You just don't know it.

In life, we all cast a shadow. Many times we don't know who it is falling on.