Winter Quadrathalon

Off to live La Nordica Vida

With about four weeks until the Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon, I figure that I’d better haul my ass over to a real Nordic ski area and learn how to use these wind-sucking, muscle-burning things called cross country skis.

At the crack of dawn tomorrow, I’ll make the four-hour sojourn to the Flagstaff Nordic Center and put ski to groomed snow and see if I can make some magic happen. I’m looking forward to the trip and the experience. I may even throw the snowshoes in the back of the truck. Heck, I’m even thinking of bringing Max, my yellow Lab, along because I saw that they have a trail where you can take dogs as long as they’re on a leash. But, I ask myself, how in the hell do you skate ski with a dog attached to you by a leash?

I’ll have to think about that.

I’ll also have to think a bit more about why I am really doing all of this stuff. After all, to be frank and honest with myself, whether I train for one hour a month or 30, I will most likely end up in last place for my age group at Mt. Taylor. This is a fine tradition I have the misfortune of having throughout my athletic career.

These thoughts were going through my mind during last night’s fartlek run. I’m putting all of this time into my training, putting some family relationships at risk from time to time, and all for what? What will going to Flagstaff tomorrow, by myself and away from my family, really accomplish?

Is it really worth all of that time, effort and money just to finish in last place?

Yet when I sit still.

Alone.

Quiet.

And listen.

Really listen.

I hear the answer.

This journey is not about the podium. It is a journey about discovering my inner self and it is a journey that must be taken alone. And, I believe, there is no turning back once started. This journey will ultimately lead to some sort of enlightenment (this time around or another) and along the way, I will most likely lose all that was held dear to me as I go further inside.

Whew. Heady and yes, somewhat, depressing stuff.

But, fortunately for me, I have the attention span of a six-year-old so I am now thinking about taking my first stab at ski waxing tonight and having one helluva a good time in Flagstaff tomorrow.

Even if I am by myself.

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