Ninjas

Stress can be a funny thing can't it?

Not ha, ha funny, more unusual funny, a bit like a ninja, sometimes you don't know it is there until it ninja stars you in the back. Thinking about it I am not sure ninjas really are that funny, so that is possibly not the greatest analogy. The point is stress can be a bit unusual. Moving on.

I was stressed yesterday. I didn't really realise it at the time, but I was. It wasn't until I spent an evening grumpy at my wife and my cat, my TV and most things in general that I realised I probably had a big ninja star in my back. Funnily enough this particular bought of stress wasn't bought on by the impending Ironman, but rather from work. If there is a silver lining in this anywhere, that is probably it, the work stress has kept me distracted from stressing about the race. Win???

The cause is kind of irrelevant though because it was the outcome that was the problem. I was a total jerk.

Now, I don't want to discount my stress. It was my stress and to be perfectly honest it was mostly justified. I had lots of stuff going on yesterday and it stressed me out. Nothing wrong with that. As I have said before, it was how I handled the stress that was the problem. I was short tempered, irrational, unwilling to listen, unwilling to forgive, unwilling to move on, acting pretty petty if I am honest. Childish is probably a good term.

Why mention this at all?

Well you see I suspect I might start getting stressed over the next couple of days. Something tells me that as I get closer to the start line of Ironman WA, I might start feeling a little strung out. When this happens I need to recognise the fact before the ninja gets a chance to throw that star. I need to keep both eyes open for the impending signs that I am feeling the pressure and take active steps to relax. Take a deep breath, identify the cause of the stress, determine if it is a real or perceived source of stress and take actions to remove it if possible.

As irrational as this may sound, I actually don't have any reason to stress. I have done the work, the preparation is complete (and gone quite well). I know exactly what I need to do on Sunday, I just have to do it. And even if the race doesn't go to plan, well it is just a race, not the fate of the world. I don't need to get myself worked up into a tizz about it. If anything I have a great chance to get away relax and enjoy myself for a few days.

Nerves will happen, that is for sure, and they are perfectly natural. But the stress, that I don't need. If I can avoid it, then my final few days of preparation are going to go better. I will be happier during the day, I won't waste energy on worry and I will rest more effectively. All good things.

If I can't avoid the stress though, well then at least I need to remember not to be a jerk.