Self Improvement

by Sue Aquila

Now that my breakthrough season has ended, I find myself in a new place. Content. Tired. Resting. Recovering. Eating. Making Merry. Happy.

At Masters swimming I had a friend ask me what was I getting ready for next. My response? Self-improvement. I realized after Kona that the goal was never the answer. And Kona was never the question. The last five years have truly been a journey in self-improvement.

How did I improve?

Family - I learned to become a better parent, partner and friend. When you are juggling the Kona journey, you measure time in minutes and no longer hours and days. Every moment counts; especially the moments that aren’t measured by watts or heart beats. Being present was the present.
Work - Having a passion outside of work is one way I am most helpful to my co-workers. Too much energy is too much. It is very easy for me, as the business owner, to discover grand ideas on how to improve the business without ever experiencing the pain of implementation. Providing my energy and ideas at work in small incremental measurements is best for all.
Health - I am amazed at how my body and health have changed. Do workouts, eat healthfully and sleep. Three simple things have led me to the place in my life where I am incredibly happy with my health and my body. Do I look like Dara Torres? Hell no. Do I feel great? Hell yes!

Most importantly this journey has brought me to a place and a life that makes sense to me. A place where I have found the formula of success in my life. A place that is sustainable and makes me and those around me happy.

Is it easy? No. Even the hard days have their purpose. They remind me that I am strong, focused and able to overcome the challenges literally and figuratively in the road ahead.

Whether I qualify for Kona again or finish last in my age group, the process of self-improvement has been the greatest gift of this journey. Even on my best days, I can see a rough edge that can be smoothed. The events I ridiculously sign up for a year in advance are not the ends to my means but the means to my end.

If I have it my way, my end is many years from now. And if not? I have enjoyed every challenge, every improvement and almost every moment along the way. I may never be the best, but I will never give up preparing to be the best.

It's time to train...

Sue Aquila is now accepting athletes to join her Endurance Corner team. You can reach her at sue@fewoman.com.
Sue started her triathlon journey with a 50lb weight loss and continues as a Kona qualifier. As a successful entrepreneur, she believes that, “You can run your business like your training and your training like your business!” As a coach (USAT Certified), she helps athletes to develop success in all areas of their lives: family, health and work. She blogs regularly at fewoman.com. You can find her on Twitter @fewoman.