Big Crazy Goals

Dr. Linkhorn here: If you know me, you know I love a good crazy big goal. Recently, I’ve come to recognize what I love even more is “showing up.” Showing up even if you’re not exactly sure what you’re doing, but you’re committed to yourself and the process.

The trash talking got out a little out of hand in the office one day and Dr. Dubuque and I found ourselves signing up for Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run). This is a crazy big goal for Dr. Dubuque as he has never done a Triathlon, not to mention an Ironman 70.3! Dr. Dubuque hasn’t ridden a bike since his youth, doesn’t own a bike, and hasn’t swam except for leisure in recent years. Sure, cue the chuckles from the Tri community, this a crazy goal…and I love it!

Training time now upon us, Dr. Dubuque goes to Windy Hill’s Master Swim class (hard class) with a fellow seasoned Ironman. He shows up in his “going to the beach to play and be casual” swim trunks and a pair of goggles he borrowed from me. He had the perfect opportunity for ALL the excuses not to show up; the class is too advanced, the 6am class is too early, I don’t have the right swim trunks, these goggles won’t be good enough. He showed up, it was hard, he used paddles and fins he hadn’t even thought he would use, there were probably some jeers about his non-aero-dynamic swim trunks, but he did it and he felt great! Now this got me really fired up and excited, he just showed up!!

This is obviously the time of year numerous people make small changes and/or big crazy goals and I love it. And when it gets hard, scary, questionable, I hope you just show up!

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” --Woody Allen