Tenacity

Stacey Richardson’s Weekly Workout Tip:

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/djokovic-tops-nadal-in-five-sets-to-win-in-australia/

Now I say that’s some $#^$@! tenacity for you!!  …

Today at swim practice, one of my lane mates said something to me that swam around in my head all day.

He had noticed that I buried my lanemates but that I kept talking with coach Becky about my stroke mechanics, wanting things to be proficient and smooth, precise, flowing, and together.   He said, “Well, don’t you reach a level where you don’t have to think about form.  I mean, you can just do?

Well, not exactly, I replied.  At least not for me.   So here I am, forced into retirement by blowing apart my foot and learning to power walk again.  But on a larger level, it seems insane to me not to grow as an athlete, to challenge myself somehow and to display what’s left of my determination and tenacity.   Who could ever take for granted form, fluency, skill, grace, and the power to win?   And who could ever let it go completely?

When I look at professional and amateur athletes alike, what I see in the greats is a magic elixir of perfectionism, talent, dedication, hunger, confidence, and tenacity.

A friend who saw some race photos yesterday commented on my swim photos. “But you are terrified of dark water, why are you smiling!??”

tenacity

 

Stacey Richardson’s Weekly Workout Tips
©TriStacey Coaching