To Rest and Move...In Peace

2 WEEKS till Ironman. This is when the anxiety and nervousness start to creep in a bit. I’ve been busy following my training schedule, working, thinking, organizing, eating, etc. I’ve been busy moving, moving, moving….physically and mentally.

A little over a week ago, a tragic event happened to a soldier I know and it stopped me in my tracks. Suicide. Instead of my typical optimistic, hopeful, happy feelings, I felt shocked, confused, helpless, angry and sad.

Then I got on my bike for one last full 112 mile ride in Louisville before race day. I thought of this soldier throughout my 7 hour bike ride. My initial feelings of anger and sadness turned into thoughts of the bigger picture. Why is this happening? How can this stop? With record number of suicides occurring in our world due to war, these questions are not that easy to answer. Research is happening, programs are being developed and actions are being taken...but everyone should remember these questions during daily interactions with people. Be kind. 

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
 ~Jimi Hendrix 

LaGrange Loop, KYIM Course August 6

The more people that come together to share ideas, the more people the stop making judgments, the more people that show love, the more peace the world will embrace. Wear ballet shoes around the house, throw a skip in your jog every now in then, belly laugh, turn the music up, cry, fist pump, jump, yell because you can while walking in the woods, sing in the shower, and whistle while you work. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, but make sure to be true to yourself. Sometimes, when we get so wrapped up in performance, we miss out on 'being'. Triathlon has given to me. Socialization, physical health, self-confidence and mental clarity amongst many other benefits. And in return, I can be a productive member of society and give to others. We participate in healthy activities that treat our minds and bodies good, we feel good, we do more and continue to balance our actions. People are starting lots of great programs, so let's spread the word. I vote for TriSoldier Project, Wounded Warrior Project, Team River Runners, Project Healing Water, and frequent expression of love and support, not just for military, but for everyone. 
  

http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/links.asp

http://www.trisoldier.org/

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

http://teamriverrunnerbluegrass.org/

http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/

So, back to 2 weeks from today. Louisville, Ironman 2011. Three thousand athletes from all walks of life and from all parts of the country moving in peace in one city on one day. That's what it comes down to. These athletes have trained hard and some have overcame more challenges than others. One particular athlete that will be racing in 2 weeks was injured during combat leaving his arm shattered, collar bones broken, skull fractured and additional injuries. Triathlons help him overcome the potential mental thoughts of 'being broken'. During another soldier's last deployment to Iraq, he suffered a traumatic brain injury which causes seizures.  He also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. He says that  riding a bike is "a prefect escape from everything.  I have a great time doing the triathlons and I am looking forward to competing in more this season. The goal is to complete and Ironman in 2012." Triathlons helped. It's so much more than swimming, biking and running.

The fact is death happens in all sorts of ways. We can dwell on how it happens. We can celebrate the honorable life those Soldiers and Veterans lived. We can miss them. We can learn from them. We can continue on living and working for peace in their honor. We can love one another more often and stop judging, hurting, criticizing and fighting one another. We should be in peace both dead and alive. 



Bikers eye view of moving in peace on the Louisville Ironman course for one last 112 miler



Rest and Move in Peace Friends

RIP young Sergeant