My first date with Mark, the man who is now my husband, was remarkable in countless ways. The chemistry between us was evident from the time we first laid eyes on each other. Our senses of humor are quite similar, so there was much laughter during that first meal together. We sat at the dinner table together for hours and talked about everything under the sun, but one part of that conversation has always stood out in my mind.
The first time we met, Mark introduced me to one of the ideas that guides his life—that there are people in this world who do not reach their full potential until late in life. He used Warren Buffett to illustrate his point. Warren Buffet, Mark explained, earned 99% of his wealth after the age of 50.
As a newly divorced woman in my 30s, the idea of having a whole life with a bright future ahead of me was certainly appealing. My failed marriage had left me despondent about wasted years and unsure of what my future would bring. I relished the idea that my future held untold potential.
Fast forward seven years, and the concept of reaching full potential late in life is still one that appeals to me. At first, I thought I had arrived when Mark and I married and blended our families together. I was and am incredibly happy, but these days I realize that I still haven’t reached my full potential and that the height of my achievements will always be a moving target.
One year ago today, I competed in my first triathlon. I had always wanted to do a triathlon (a race in which participants swim, bike, and run), but I was terrified of riding a bike. As a child, I was scared to use the brakes on my bike, so I would hop off my bike at full speed, resulting in more skinned knees and hands than I can count. Needless to say, bicycle riding never became a favorite activity of mine. Since I love to swim and have been a runner for much of my life, biking was the only aspect of triathlon that was holding me back.
Fortunately, I met a group of girls training for their first sprint distance triathlon, and I joined them. I had to rent a bike for that first race, but I managed to swim 0.25 mile, bike 13 miles, and run 3.1 miles. I was instantly hooked. Since that day, I have participated in three more sprint distance triathlons and one Olympic distance triathlon, which is roughly twice as long.
Then something overcame me, and I registered for Ironman 70.3 Augusta, which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. I’ve spent the last few months transforming myself into an endurance athlete. My short runs now are longer than my long runs were a year ago. I can ride my bike four times further than I could last year, and I enjoy swimming so much that I feel like I could swim forever.
I share my story not because I unearthed some extraordinary athletic talent but because I didn’t. I’m not athletically gifted. I have to work hard for every fitness gain I achieve, but I have made real, noticeable gains just the same.
On September 24th, I will toe the line in Augusta, Georgia and compete in a race that is a “bucket list” item of mine. As long as I finish, I will set a personal record. I am unbelievably excited, but the most phenomenal part of the process is that I have reached a potential that I never expected to reach at the age of 38. Just as my husband told me on our first date, some people don’t reach their potential until late in life!
As moms, we often focus on the years behind us. We recall longingly the days when we could shower without interruption or sleep until noon, and we think that our stories are written. With the responsibility for raising tiny humans, we mistakenly think that any goals we might have once had are now distant dreams. I am here to remind you that, just like Warren Buffett (and me!), the height of your potential may come later in life. If you’re in the throes of raising young children, it may be hard to envision a time when there’s not a little person who’s completely dependent on you, but your children will grow and need you less. One day you may find yourself like me with a dream and an opportunity. Be on the lookout, and seize the opportunity! Whether you want to start a business, learn a new language, or run a marathon, your story isn’t written yet!
