I was a philosophy major in college. Yep, I spent four years and thousands of dollars thinking about random things. I took courses such as Philosophy of Law, Moral Philosophy and Philosophy of Art. I still remember some of the papers I wrote. One was about the essence of beauty. We may have very distinct tastes for art or fashion and our notions of beauty can vary wildly when talking about those. However, there are some universal beliefs on beauty; some things that no one can really look at and say “that’s not beauty” such as a magnificent sunrise or a deliciously round baby, or someone mustering the courage to do something they fear.
Indeed, as a philosopher I can talk about this for hours so when I was selected by FitFluential to join Under Armour What’s Beautiful Campaign I was all over it. Not only is it a brand that I use and love, it’s a concept that I enjoy thinking about. What’s Beautiful is not about the clothes you wear, it’s about how you define a goal just a bit beyond your current reach and go for it.
I obviously accepted to participate so this is a sponsored post but it’s something, like I mentioned, that doesn’t feel sponsored because it is so vague, so conceptual and open.
The first step I took as a participant was to define a goal. That in itself took some time. Some women chose broad goals such as “Be Strong And Fit for My Children”, or “Aging With Strength” and I was tempted, but I felt that if I was going to take this seriously it had to be a goal I could complete before the end of the challenge: 8 weeks.
I posted on Facebook and Twitter asking for help and I got some good ideas. One I really liked was “I will go to every workout for the next eight weeks.” But eventually I narrowed it down to something physical that I could complete in one day towards the end of the journey. Something that other people could do with me, and that would be complimentary to my IronMan training.
Then it occurred to me. My biggest challenge right now is training hills on my bike. My half IronMan in Portugal this summer has 14% inclines and I don’t know if I can make it up that thing. So a good goal would be to ride up Sugar Loaf mountain, the highest point in Florida.
Now some of you might laugh and consider Sugar Loaf a mole hill, but to me it is HUGE and intimidating and as of today I don’t know if I can get to the top on my bike without stopping.
But I also feel that I need to balance that physical, measureable goal with something more ample so I added “while still being the best mom I can be.” I hate to admit it, but if I am tired and cranky, my kids get the brunt of it because they are the ones who tend not to do what I am asking them to do as soon as I ask them to do so. In other words, they are being kids; but when I am tired I need them to act like adults. The result is that I lose my patience, and I don’t want to do that. When the going gets tough, I don’t want to take it out on my kids. And I don’t want to make the training such a central part of my life that I place my family second. Joe and the boys are so supportive, and so understanding, and they come first. It was important to me to add this to my goal.
So here is the deal; this is my goal: To Conquer Florida’s highest point, SugarLoaf Mountain, on my bike as I train for IronMan Florida while still being the best mom I can be. I WILL.
This is my page on the What’s Beautiful website that you can check out. This is where I will post my pictures, videos and other challenges I will complete as part of this journey. I also have a team page called Triathlon Rockstars which is for anyone remotely involved in triathlons: newbies and veterans of all distances are welcomed. The team acts like a central encouragement place where you post your trials and your successes while TRIying and we help each other out.
So, what can you do? Think about what is beautiful to you and while you are at it, join this movement. Think of your own goal and declare it at Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful site. It can be any goal as long as it is a challenge to you. I’ve seen everything from women doing an Ultra marathon to the first 5k. And as I mentioned before it can be vague and broad. Get motivated and commit! And if triathlons are part of it, make sure to join my team. While you are at it, make sure to follow me and let me know about it here!
If you are a cyclist join me for all or part of the ride up Sugar Loaf. I am getting a group together and the tentative date is June 15th. If you are not a cyclist but want to come and culminate your own What’s Beautiful journey we can do that together there as well. And if you just want to come for the fun of it, that is good too!
If you declare your own goal and bring your best game, if you try your hardest, you may be eligible to win one of several prizes including a retreat trip to Costa Rica and goodie bags along the way.
But I know you wouldn’t do this for the prizes because this is about you and it’s about me. And it’s about all of us defining for ourselves what’s beautiful. And one thing that is universally beautiful is watching someone rise up to a challenge. This is no longer philosophy this is our life. I’ve declared mine. Be brave, be beautiful, and declare yours.
On Twitter: @UAWomen #whatsbeautiful #iwill @fitfluential #FitFluential @triathlonmami
