Saturday I competed in my second triathlon. It was still a sprint distance, but slightly longer than my first (this one was a 750 yard swim, 17.5 mile bike, 3.1 mile run). I was determined to not let the same disaster that happened in my first triathlon happen again (to get that story check out this post). I headed to Harris Lake full of confidence. This time around I knew what to expect, and I wasn’t going to let fear get the best of me.
All the race participants were split into nine start groups, and I was in the one that started last. I liked that because I could let all the super competitive people go ahead and go and start with people who were there most likely just to compete against themselves. As my group got closer to starting, my nerves started getting worked up. Fear was trying to creep its way back into my life. I did something different at Harris Lake than I did in Hilton Head. I didn’t let the thought of fear stick around. I kicked it out of my head and replaced it with some Bible verses I had ready if this happened. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” I was prepared with Philippians 4:13, Matt 19:26, and 2 Timothy 1:7.
The race started and I was on my way. I let some of the people in my group go ahead of me, and then I jumped in and started swimming. The start was a little crowded, but after we made the first turn everyone got spread out. I was in my swimming rhythm and before I knew it I was out of the water. My goal was to finish the swimming leg in around 20 minutes. When I got my results I finished in 20:02 (which included a 20 yard run to cross the timing mat). Rather than give into fear, I kicked it out and completed what I set out to do.
1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Don’t let fear take you captive but instead have some Bible verses ready to throw at fear when it tries to creep in. Take every thought captive and make it submit to Christ. Tell fear to pack its bags and take a hike! Don’t let fear hold you back from letting you reach your goals. I kicked fear in the face and finished the triathlon with a time of 2:01:12!
until next time…