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WHY TRIATHLON?
Daniel Clout, full time triathlete, on why he
chose to tri.
by Daniel Clout,
DanielClout.net
Lately I have come to ask myself why I love triathlon so much and what on
earth compels triathlon upon me. Triathlon, for me, involves countless
hours training hard. Rain hail or shine I am out there trooping on, enduring
the elements in solitude. To many, what may seem as crazy and totally
ludicrous is simply another day in the office for myself. People close to me
are starting to comprehend why I indulge in this particular idiosyncrasy but
I will only ever know. Put me on a bike and have me ride over the biggest
mountain you can find is eccentrically my idea of fun. From a young age, I
found I had been endowed with great ability in both body and mind. I have
always handled endurance at ease although the main ingredient is having the
fascination and mental attitude of realizing that extreme exercise is my cup
of tea.
As a kid I dreamt BIG…dreaming of one day I’d be competing at the
Olympics I would be drawing the Olympic rings all over my
schoolbooks…and to the teacher’s dismay, carving into the desks too. I was
inspired greatly by my cousin, Craig Monk, who was competing in the 1992
Olympics and won Bronze in yachting. I was so absorbed in the phenomenally
awe-inspiring games and idolized the athletes for their astonishing
integrity with their elegance in using strength, determination and a strong
willed attitude in making the most of their gifts.
I was first introduced to multi-sport by one of my older sisters who made
training and racing look like fun. The sport looked so exciting and I
was intrigued and eager to race as being a spectator was difficult since I
was itching to get out there as a 10 year old! Apparently I was encouraged
by my family to race so that my boundless energy would give them a break and
hopefully tire me out. I did a biathlon as they called them in those days, a
run – bike. I found myself excelling on the run As the youngest I was ahead
of most, including to my delight, my sister who had the experience and
training under her. However she later swallowed me up in the cycle leg but I
enjoyed my first experience and placed 4th overall. At prize giving I was
instinctively and intuitionally drawn to a videotape as my chosen spot
prize. Dull prize it may have appeared, it has actually been worth its
weight in gold. It has given me a solid foundation and insight on
professional athletes and world championship races. This was like the best
food for the young brain needing some guidance. Watching the tape, I was
mesmerized by a Kiwi guy called Matt Brick winning the Duathlon World
Championships. It made me think that I too could do that. So it seems I
started off with extremely strong and powerful role models that have aspired
me to achieve the milestones I have so far in my career.
Oblivious to the real world, I would imagine myself going on massive
adventures, thinking of far and very remote places while, as a kid, it
seemed unreal yet achievable the great distances that I felt the need to
cycle and run to. What now seems ironic is that it was not a childish dream
for I am in fact doing exactly what I had in mind. It is a dream that feels
too good to be true and I am pinching myself right now hoping I won’t wake
up for I am not only accomplishing those child-hood challenges of biking and
running out of my home town Palmerston North in New Zewaland, but I have
symbolically done this to a greater extent by cycling and running all over
the world.
I started to fully realize my potential when, as a 15 year old,
I had the desire to start pushing my body to its limit. I would tackle the
mountains with my running shoes with nothing more that the enthusiasm and
determination of using mind over matter to run the crazy distances I would
set myself, simply off the bat, without acclimation to that mileage. My dad
thought I was overdoing it, thinking I was too young and doing too much, He
sought advice from professionals to try and persuade me to ease the
throttle. I didn’t want to hear his words of wisdom as they were lessons I
had to learn for myself. I learned what it is like to be totally dehydrated
along with the well known term ‘hitting the wall.’ I found out too well it
is not a mythical term for I wasn’t taking any food with me for an afternoon
of running that now seems rather foolish. Yet I enjoyed being spontaneous,
the thrill of the adventure and following through with my goals. This
transcended into deciding to join a swimming club. The swim coach on the
phone asked what distance I could swim without stopping. I had previously
swum a few lengths - nothing much but I boldly said “5 kilometers” - totally
bluffing all the while! Later that day, sure enough I did 5K non-stops as I
like to always back up my words with action. Sure it was slow but it
indisputably showed me the power of believing in yourself, that it’s
possible to shoot for the stars and that the sky holds no limits with raw
determination.
So why have I chosen Triathlon? Well I think rather it has chosen me!
I believe I am destined for it - as it’s my gift to the world that I must
not waste. I have come to realize triathlon is my calling in this life,
something I am good at that radiates positive energy and gives me purpose.
My true calling is to become an Ironman. Ironman, being the most extreme and
demanding sport, tests the soul and courage of every individual. It seems
ideal for me…right up my alley! I haven’t ventured into it yet as I have my
sights firmly set on making the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China to which
there will be plenty of time after that for the longer stuff.
I believe everybody has a talent. You indeed have been born as an
individual possessing something extraordinary marvelous and special that
ultimately makes your existence and purpose in life meaningful, both for
personal satisfaction and an important link in the chain of life. What is it
that you are good at and enjoy the most I ask you challengingly? For it
disappoints me to see so many people underachieving due to lack of
motivation or direction.
You have to get off your ass and create your own success and fortunate
outcomes. For luck is not a word I believe in or use! I frown upon
people who are pessimistic and think they always receive bad luck. In my
views you get out of life what you put in and can optimistically make good
out of any situation. I am thrilled you are interested enough to read this
and have an inclination towards triathlon for it’s a miraculous sport where
I’m sure not a second of your investment into this venture will be wasted. I
can see the majority of you out there are not ‘fitness freaks’ like myself,
however whether you are doing tri’s for increased fitness, the challenge of
doing something new, social aspect, for competitive reason or whatever -
there’s a million and one reasons. Remember that you are embarking on an
incredible sport that will transcend itself into every aspect of your life
and give you a bounce of self-importance, confidence and put reassurance
into your step.
This is a sport I will never get bored with, always a sense of excitement
and anticipation going into each day as a Triathlete. I live for the
adrenalin that pumps into my body everyday from taking on new challenges and
especially look forward to and relish the endorphin highs I get from giving
a hard workout and giving every race everything I have. Quite often I will
collapse at the end of the race, body totally shattered and knackered.
However if you look close enough you will find a grin on my face whether I
am pleased with my finishing time and place or not. I am always happy with
my effort level I put forth. Triathlon is a sport that makes champions from
everyone and from every walk of life for it doesn’t matter what ethnic race
you are, religion, your social background or how old you are. Everybody who
finishes a triathlon is a winner. It’s about who you are inside, giving life
100% with an Ironman spirit to achieve any milestones you set yourself.
Don’t listen to the people who tell you something isn’t possible. Instead,
remember my words, “anything is possible with the only limits in life being
the ones you put on yourself. Life is believing in yourself to achieve your
greatest potential and ultimate destiny.”
Sure there’s a lot of hard work - the pain, sweat, fear, solitude and
dedication for making sacrifices to become a champion, however I see it’s
all worthwhile. No words alone can describe the sense of enjoyment and
satisfaction I get from the sport. I hope you find the same thrill from
triathlon and let your enthusiasm spread to your family, friends and
workplace. Give life 100% or else I’ll come back and give you a swift kick
in the ass!
Until next time I wish you the best in your sporting and life’s endeavors!
Daniel Clout |
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