Letting Go

Part of paternity leave involves not just caring for a newborn but rather spending time with our older daughter, Audra. If 4 can be considered older.

It’s been terrific bonding for us and brought us closer together the more time we invest in each other. Yesterday, that time came in the form of watching Frozen 2 together at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.

And when you watch Frozen, either the original or the sequel, you think about “Let it Go.” Because that’s all you hear in your car, or at home. I’m waiting for our Alexa assistant in the house to talk back to us and say, “Seriously!? Again!? NO. Just. NOOOOOOO.”

I’ve been thinking about “letting go” today as two Good Wolf athletes are set to race in respective Ironman races tomorrow. I feel like I’m at the starting line with both of them, although I will be on hand in Tempe, Arizona to watch Steve perform.

I’m just as nervous as a coach as I’d be as an athlete, but for different reasons. You can’t help but question yourself. “Would or should I have done anything different for either athlete?” “Did I prepare them truly as best I could?” “Is there anything I left out that I should remind them about at the last minute?”

No. I really believe each athlete — seasoned competitors in their own right — are race-ready.

I have to let it go. I have to trust myself, the data and most of all my instincts. I have to realize that the race is in their minds and bodies now. There’s nothing else I can do other than to track them via the Ironman app and send them positive vibes.

I hate being out of control of a situation. But that’s just where we’re at now.

I have to let that go, and trust the plan. Just like I’m an athlete.