The legs felt heavy. My lungs burned. To be completely honest, I was a bit deflated. Returning from foot surgery is a masterclass in patience, and lately, my fitness just wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I was tired, sore, and that toxic little voice was creeping in: Why am I still doing this?
I was grinding along CR 109 when I passed it—a completely ordinary, basic water tower.
And just like that, the years stripped away.
I was hit by a wave of vivid deja vu that dragged me all the way back to 2001. Twenty-five years ago, I decided I was going to become a triathlete. I went all in: got a pool pass, a fresh pair of running shoes, and a very fancy time-trial bike. Naturally, I bought all the gear to look the part—padded shorts, clipless pedals, the shoes, and a U.S. Postal bike jersey.
On my inaugural ride, I felt like an explorer navigating uncharted territory. I kept pushing until I hit a wall, exactly 9 miles out of town, right at that very same water tower.
In 2001, I stood under that tower, completely overwhelmed, staring at a 9-mile return trip. An 18-mile total ride felt unfathomable back then. I remember questioning my choices, wondering why on earth I was putting myself through it.
Standing there again recently, decades later, the perspective shift hit me like a freight train.
Sure, I’m building my fitness back up right now. But oh, the places I have seen on these bikes and in those running shoes since 2001. The hundreds of miles, the mountain peaks, the grueling ultras—all of it started right there, doubting if I could manage 18 miles.
I came to the exact same conclusion under that water tower, twice, 25 years apart.
Being on my bike, running in the mountains, training hard, and exploring new terrain brings me a sense of joy, happiness, calmness, and clarity that I have never found anywhere else in life.
It was the exact reality check I needed. We get so caught up in where we think we should be today that we forget to look back at the massive territory we've conquered over the years.
It's time to put my chin down and do the work to get back to where I want to be.
If you're struggling with your fitness right now, or recovering from a setback, do me a favor: find your "water tower." Look back at Day One. You've come a lot further than you give yourself credit for.
Now get back to work.
This post was inspired by my friend BA- You got this Lady!
Coach Brian