Never Out

I’m watching the World Series while writing tonight.

Which kind of breaks my heart as a Dodgers lifelong fan.

But, I’ve grown to really appreciate (and even like?) the Washington Nationals. They play as a TEAM, they have fun together, they seem to like each other, and they never give up. In fact, the Nationals seem to shine the greater the moment.

That is so hard to do! I’ve placed a lot of pressure on myself as an athlete in the past, and the results have been mixed at best sometimes. I remember my muscles feeling tighter almost (or in the case of IM Wisconsin in 2017, literally tighter), or my breath would become more shallow. In fact, it’s fair to say the more physically prepared I was to race, the worse I did!

When I simply focused on performing my best and not worrying about “the moment,” the better I did.

What’s my point?

The next time you feel like the moment is becoming too big or even could become too big, or you’re becoming too tight…breathe.

Smile.

Think of a joke.

Think of what you can control in the moment.

And realize you are NEVER out of a race unless you give up on yourself.