Encouragement

“Encouragement is free, and beyond measure in value.” – Dr. William DeFoore, author, counsellor

At the end of May, I participated in the Coronation Triathlon, a standard distance triathlon in Edmonton consisting of a 1 km pool swim, a 26 km bike, and an 8 km run. Being that it was only my second triathlon, it was memorable, but not for any of the reasons that you might think.

Coronation isn’t particularly long or difficult as far as triathlons go, but the event attracts a lot of seasoned triathletes because it is one of the first triathlons of the season. Knowing this made me – a relatively inexperienced swimmer and cyclist – that much more anxious.

“You’re up, Honey,” said my husband Alan, interrupting my nervous fidgeting and hand-wringing. A voice over the PA system had asked for the next swim wave to be ready, poolside.

I made my way from the spectator stands to the pool deck and into the long line of athletes who were waiting to be cued into the pool. It was a continuous feed swim – when one athlete exits a swim lane, they send another to fill his/her spot.

As luck would have it, I ended up right behind David, an experienced triathlete who I had met in my first Total Immersion swim class. I told him how happy I was to see a familiar face, and how nervous I was to be “playing with the big kids.” Ever kind and encouraging, he reassured me that I would do great. He made me laugh and helped put me at ease.

My swim went extremely well. I wasn’t particularly fast, but I swam smoothly and at a consistent pace, and had plenty of energy for the bike.

The bike took place on Groat Road, a long, winding road with a net elevation change of about 60 metres. The route is far from insurmountable, but the incline is noticeable. Competitors bike down and up Groat Road four times, and run down and up it once.

My bike went better than expected. I didn’t get a flat tire nor did I have any problems drinking while pedalling – my two biggest fears before the race. Next up was the run.

I felt confident as I sprinted down Groat Road because the run is my strongest of the three disciplines. Shortly after I passed the turnaround, while heading up Groat Road, I caught up to another participant who was walking. I had seen her from a distance, walking for some time.

“Good job!” I shouted. “Keep going. You can do this. C’mon!” I motioned to her with my hand several times, signalling her to join me, and hoping that, at the very least, she would follow.

As a newbie, I finished the race in what I felt was a respectable 2:11:40 (the average finish time was 2:04:28). After grabbing a quick drink and a few snacks, I happily lingered near the finish area with some friends to cheer on the other competitors while we waited for my husband Alan (in this race, the faster athletes start after the slower ones).

A short time later, the woman who I had passed on the run crossed the finish line. She spotted me and came up and said, “Thank you. I really needed that.” I was caught by surprise as I honestly hadn’t thought much of my gesture at the time.

That race will always stand out in my memory, not because of the achievement, but because it reminded me how impactful a few simple words of encouragement can be.

To paraphrase Dr. William DeFoore: Encouragement is a powerful gift. When you encourage someone, you bless them with courage. And when you encourage someone, you activate the best of who you are.

P.S. This story is for David, who I’m sure didn’t think much of his gesture at the time, either.