Anxious Athlete

The 2023 Bonner Springs Indoor Triathlon was where I first tried a tri. And it will be the one I do every year. It’s a very simple 15 minute swim, 15 minute ride on an exercise bike, and 15 minute run on a treadmill. This year I’m adding 15 minutes on the toilet in Rock Port, Missouri because prerace nerves always kick in at some point on the drive to this race. (Which by the way if you stop at the truck stop in Rock Port, get their Muddy River Fudge at the counter. It’s life changing.)

In my 3 years of doing this Bonner Springs Triathlon, I’ve had varying mindsets: I’ve had no expectations in 2023, and finished 2nd. In 2024, I hoped I could win and finished 2nd. And in 2025 I don’t know what to expect because I have done very little to prepare for this one except buy pre-workout mix for between the three disciplines.

The only thing I expect for the race Sunday morning is…nothing. I feel nothing, I expect nothing, and I kind of feel this is best mindset I’ve had in months. For the first time going into any of these races, I don’t fear the result. I think I’m finally turning a corner about not have everything in life be about the results, and not enjoying or appreciating the journey.

Every race I’ve gone into in the last two plus years, the goal is “DON’T FINISH LAST.” Altering my mindset for this third year of glorified exercising I think will make it far more enjoyable. So heading into this weekend I’m shifting the focus to enjoy the little things: ENJOY the drive, ENJOY the race, ENJOY the people I’ve met at the races, and ENJOY some Muddy River Fudge in Rock Port. I spend too much time comparing to others, that it robbed me of any enjoyment of the little things on the various trips to races.

See ya back Sunday