A Mission Statement

   What is a Mission Statement? It is why we do what we do. It is the motivation behind arduous effort. It is the kick in the ass we need when we "just don't feel like it." The Idea of having a Mission Statement in black and white is new to me. I have always been a bit of a seat-of-the-pants kind of flyer. This is not to say that my workout regimen lacks focus. To the contrary, my workout schedule is like a religion to me, scheduled into life with obsessive regularity, and always pushing, pushing, pushing. But why? Why do I push myself? In the past I worked out mostly for the sake of remaining relatively fit, and to dodge the worst effects of depression and insomnia. A year ago all this changed with the idea that I was a runner, and could enter races. I took this up a significant notch when I decided I wanted to do triathlons. This narrowed my training focus a bit, or broadened it really, adding in cycling, swimming and running to my weight training, cardio, and pilates/yoga. Last year my goal was to compete in several triathlons without dying in the process. Oddly, this led me to entering other races, and finding a love of trail running. Yes, my training is focused, I am a hard taskmaster, I do not slack. I am self-motivated and driven. So why would I need a Mission Statement? Because I am moving up the food chain. I will increase my level of athleticism this year, finish higher up in the standings, race longer distances, push my limits. I need to refine my approach to the racing year. Especially if I am to survive a half-Ironman.
   A Mission Statement is to give a clear understanding of why you train and compete, whatever the reasons. So, here goes... how to create a Mission Statement.
Step One: Brainstorm. Make a list of words that pertain to the sport(s) of choice, in my case triathlon, trail running, adventure racing. The whys, hows, reasons. Why is this a passion worth all the time and energy? Fitness, fun, facing fears, beating back the hands of time, competition, strength, power, self-confidence, self-esteem, endurance, no excuses, pushing my limits, living life, spice, excitement, metamorphosis, athleticism, freedom, goals set and achieved, ignoring "can't" and "shouldn't," blowing away "age appropriate," adventurous, belief in myself.
    So many reasons. So many excellent reasons to continue on this path. But in reality they boil down to Belief in Self. Knowing I can set my sights high, reach for the stars, ignore conventional wisdom and rely on my own perseverance and stubbornness. The older I get, the more I realize just how short life is. We do not have time to waste on mediocrity, boredom, lassitude. I will live life the way it should be lived, not make excuses, reach for what I want, take it and make it mine. That is why I love to train. Train to live. Why I compete. To condense it from a mind blowing, all encompassing concept to a pat phrase? I don't know. Maybe, "If not now? When?"