Christine Fletcher Professional Triathlete: The Whistler Quest

Three years ago I turned on my heel and walked away from Ironman. I swore off this distance for good. I was done with the long bike rides that consumed an entire day and tired of being tired. The fun was seemingly lost and so was my motivation for going long. Having had success and gratification at the Half Ironman distance, I went on to embrace the 2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run with a vengeance. I was clearly not alone in this motive since half ironman races were popping up all over the globe attracting top notch pro’s and amateurs alike. It seems athletes could reckon with this distance while balancing other responsibilities in life. My personal transition went something like this: cut back training hours, ramp up intensity and enjoy lunch by noon. That summarized my past three years in triathlon.

Thanks to having more time, especially on weekends, I also re-embraced my love for winter sports. Whistler, a world-class downhill and cross-country ski resort, was my weekend oasis. It is nothing less than a magical wonderland of white fluff and glorious mountains streaming with people looking to explore over 8000 acres of terrain. And when the snow melts and winter turns to spring and then summer, skiers turn to cycling, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, and now the very trendy SUP on any of the four lakes surrounding Whistler. Again, a place I consider an oasis that draws me in (and millions of others) any time of year.

So what happens when Whistler and triathlon intersect? All I can surmise is that the Universe must have had a master plan when the town of Penticton lost the hosting contract for Ironman Canada after 30 some odd years to the home of the 2010 Olympic Games on the same year I turned 40. It must have sensed I had outgrown the intensity and speed required for the half distance and should return to my Ironman roots of slowing down and going longer. When the World Triathlon Corporate made the official announcement that Whistler would now be the host venue for Ironman Canada, my blackberry lit up like a Christmas Tree. “Are you registered?” “Would you go back to Ironman?” “You must do Ironman…its in Whistler!” Before long, five of my closest friends and training partners were signed up and nudged me to reconsider my “never again” disclaimer.

So here I sit, a mere 3 weeks out from Ironman Canada (happening in Whistler, BC – August 25^th), with countless hours of purposeful preparation under my belt as guided by the wealth of experience and knowledge from Coach Jasper Blake and in the company of the remarkable Steph Corker, invincible Britni Bakk, stalwart John Legg, resilient Travis MacKenzie, off the couch Mike Edwards, brave Andrew Russell, stellar Gillian Moody, vicarious Steve Marshall, methodical Jamie Armstrong, awesome Jasper Blake and mountain man Michael Cooperberg (to name only a small few). So so many more friends and supporters have been along for this journey, each contributing with unforgettable impact and meaning.

all you gotta do it look down to be reminded about being awesome

When committing to another Ironman there was uncertainty, nerves and apprehension but thankfully overshadowed by excitement, thrill, curiosity and motivation to explore my potential and discipline at approaching this distance again in a place I consider an Oasis with special athletes to log miles and share a mutual journey. Plato had it right when he said: "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." Imagine how much you learn about others in 6-7 hours of play?

these guys know how to have fun and get it done

The other day an athlete asked, “how do you maintain your motivation?” I contemplated my reply and how motivated I have been since committing to Whistler’s Ironman Canada.

It went something like this:

“The quest for motivation is a unique and personal experience especially when our lives are already full. The quest involves decision making, prioritizing, and listening carefully to the signals and messages pouring out of our body and mind. I truly believe the quest will bear a high degree of motivation if one is rested, nourished, realistic, supported, inclusive, purposeful and authentic. Consistent motivation takes a special level of oscillating energy that very few people have perfected. It is a delicate balance of offload (aka: resting & recovering) and reload (aka: challenge & exert energy) to equal optimum motivation and performance.

Surely everyone has their own formula for staying on top of their motivation. Personally, I inject small doses of lighthearted humor to keep smiles shining on faces coupled with a focused and intentional workout. I truly believe every workout needs a purpose to feed our goal-driven nature. Blend fun with focus and you have a winning formula.

Solo sessions should be limited to a select few balanced with partnered adventures spewing with tons of accolades and encouragement. Regardless of going at it solo or with others, athletes need to be rested, nourished, realistic, supported, inclusive, purposeful and authentic in order to stay motivated.

One’s quest should also be grounded in the reasons for doing what one is doing. Sometimes a simple reminder of The Why is all it takes. My list is long and thorough and poses as a quick jolt of motivation.

Any quest has forks in the road and options to contemplate. When in doubt, press the restart button and save for another day. Rest and perspective breeds clarity and serenity. Low motivation often comes from fatigue and overdoing life. If clear on the goal and the why, the path will be paved and always lead you in the right direction.

Keep your community close, do not become an island, share your energy carefully and stay in the moment. The motivation quest is a beautiful thing.”

This quote by Dr Jack Kruse (Living an Optimal Life) resonated with me when considering goal setting and community:

“Do you know how to pass it on and encourage others? Do you understand how to delegate value to others? The fastest way into the promised land of life is to release the gifts in the people around you today and allow them to be the beacons of light to lead you to your goals. It is hard building a pyramid alone. We need others to succeed and to get their best we must delegate our wisdom and value into them in any way we can. When you share insight and wisdom with those you value, you might enjoy where their insight could lead you. Today, and each day from here, try to keep your doors open to others ideas; we may never know where we might find help to entrust and delegate a task or responsibility to another person. Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life, but by the obstacles, which we have overcome."

You will be energized and pumped to tackle each workout when your heart is full. My heart was the most full it had ever been when somehow my friends planned a surprise 40^th birthday party for me sandwiched between a ten hour training weekend. This gesture and the effort behind it elevated everything inside and made exercise endorphins feel like a sleep pill. To those who know who you are…biggest hug and gratitude possible.