Welcome

Failure: Do or do not, There is no Try

Let's hear it for failing spectacularly.
In the past four days I have experienced two huge personal humiliations. The first one being a sensational bonk on Saturday with out-of-town skaters I wanted not only to start out with, but accompany over 48 miles. It was all over for me in heat stroke, dizziness and stars at mile 7. The next morning during the Tour to Tanglewood 47 miler it took my legs one and a half hours to wake up and get moving, by which time I had made sure we were last among the skaters. I don't understand it. I have been training! I have been training!!
I hope you flunk...
The next crushing blow came this morning with the result of my first test in a class I am taking. I got an F - not a D or an E, but an F. I don't think I could have flunked worse than that. However, howling and gnashing of teeth can be very invigorating. Pain, anger and frustration got my blood flowing and now I feel alive again. Thank u anxiety, thank u night terrors, thank u dashing of all my hopes and aspirations...
I know all about Edison and his hundreds of failed light bulb prototypes that came to be known as opportunities for success, but we aren't all wired to be eternally optimistic, and I'm no Edison. Obviously.
It's a personal choice as to whether we should go for it - launch headlong into a red-flag relationship, show up for that event not knowing a soul or our way around, announce our deepest, most cherished desires to several friends and then watch all our plans go up in smoke...or whether we should just sit at home and never try. I'm reminded of the 'crazy blonde' character who dances in the fountain in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, and who comments on bad ideas by saying 'Don't you just love those?!'.
So if you're thinking of skipping A2A because you can't beat your best time or even come close to it, do me a favour and humour me here. I'm screwing up left and right and could use a co-commiserator or two :-)
- eebee's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
was it "Bonk" class?
Re: Failing Spectacularly
Better'n Therapy
Bravery and Exhaustion
Re:Bravery & Exhaustion