As many may know already, I love to read.  I do not read fiction. The make believe imaginings of authors has never allured nor engrossed myself to the page. However, true stories of human sacrifice, human

challenges, human kindness, and human triumphs draws my curiosity. The imaginations of man that draw new ways of thinking, new paradigms, and new ideas and concepts that shape, challenge and change human nature, these I find fascinating.

It may be short-minded, in part, but I find most fiction a waste of my time and a squandering of my resources. My wife, to the contrary, almost wholly reads fiction, finding the escape an enjoyable respite from the droning day-to-day activities. For this cause, I understand why many read fiction. I draw the distinctive contrast between these points of view to make a point.

In my reading this morning, I came across an excerpt from yesterday’s General Conference. You may be wondering what General Conference and reading has to do with racing. Well, I came across the following excerpt:

1. “I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, righteous and noble goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them.” Elder Joseph B Wirthlin, 31 Mar 07 General Conference, Priesthood Session
   

This excerpt stood out to me, as if the words were written exclusively for me. It is gems like these that draws to me to non-fiction reading. When I read, I always read with the intent of learning something new. In this instance, I realized something was missing in my mind. Just as fiction draws some for one reason and  non-fiction draws another for contrary reasons, so to are we all motivated and driven by differing stations in life and differing motivators.

In the months and years leading to Ironman Florida, I had the vision of the race emblazoned in my imagination. When I needed motivation and direction, I merely had to dive into my mind’s eye and envision myself racing. I could feel the feeling of becoming an Ironman. I could see the race and the entire story (at the time, a temporary fiction of sorts) of the race and accomplishments as I had played them out in my mind time and again. The vision would become motivation enough to continue training, to continue working through the pains and struggles.

In the end, the race was one of the pinnacle experiences of my life. The race created a paradigm shift in my life’s outlook. Working for somebody suddenly became impossible. I quit my job and opened my own mortgage company with fervent anxiety and excitement. I began to see myself as having more potential in life. I began seeing my life as one of accomplishments not previously seen. I began seeing my life as being uniquely qualified to inspire and be inspired. Strangely, however, I also found myself drifting from the rigors of training.

On the one hand, I have some injuries to tend to. On the other, had the vision of becoming an Ironman played out and ended? When I read Elder Wirthlin’s words this morning, I realized that what is now needed is to reevaluate where I am today and where I want to take my racing. This excites me, because I am given the opportunity to re-envision an entirely new script, establish new challenging goals, re-ignite my minds imagination, and excite the insight of journey in my heart.

There are a lot of parallels between the Church and endurance sports. One parallel can be drawn between the man of 86 six years in the 2006 Ironman World Championship Finisher, to the Prophet of 97 years, President Gordon B Hinckley, steward and tireless leader, demonstrating how healthy living breads vitality and passion for life. Another parallel can be illustrated between the teaching and disciplines required to be a Latter-day Saint or Ironman. For example, dedication, sacrifice, enduring through suffering and pain, stalwartness, courage and an eye single to God are qualities of both.

What wonderful lessons racing can teach. From bridging the rigors of the physically demanding realm of extreme racing, to the soul fulfilling of Christ’s message and plan for human kind, to the self discovery and introspection involved in long distance endurance racing.