Surf's Up

...that fun is not defined as the absence of challenging

circumstances, but as the absence of anger about them.

Of course, it is natural to become "fed up" with some

of the worst conditions of physical life. Yet the fun of

life is in embracing a perspective that allows you to

look into the face of those conditions and demonstrate

who you are in spite of them.

Where is the fun in that? you might say. The fun is in

the victory, my friend. The fun is in the victory.

An interesting thought about our favorite subject subject from N.D. Walsch. I find it fascinating that there is so much controversy about this. Life is difficult. Life is challenging. Life is suffering. Them's are the facts. BUT, as soon as we accept them facts, everything changes. Then it is not longer pain it remains challenge with effort and focus necessary and then, eventually, reward, success and, with enough perseverance, victory. How much fun is that?

Everyone in Kona this week will be facing challenging circumstances on Saturday, in our example a 2.4 mile ocean swim, a hot and windy 112 mile bike and a steamy, muggy 26.2 mile run. The adjective daunting comes to mind. Some do this for a paycheck, $110,000 for each male and female winner, OR a chance to be introduced to your peers by Bob or Mike at the awards banquet Sunday night. Each of those athletes in the latter group has probably SPENT $100,000 to get there. That is a $210K swing. FUN, challenge and reward has to be the difference, part of that swing.

There has been a lot to talk today, Tuesday of race week, about Mary Beth (MB) Ellis. She WON three Ironman events over an eight week period culminating with Canada. The prior two were Austria and Germany. Her coach, Brett Sutton, attributes a lot of her success to confidence. Simply knowing that you can do it, then going out and proving yourself correct. Empowering. Focused. The absence of anger in challenging circumstances.

We began the booth set up at the expo and quickly found the outdoor setting (facing the beach) a challenge to display the pix of our sponsored athletes as initially devised. Nothing a quick marketing trip downtown couldn't remedy. A used surfboard now frames these talented athletes as if designed by the Duke himself.

The Parade of Athletes is at five, followed by the official opening of the Expo. We'll be there.

Lesson one from Kona 2011: Earning confidence is fun (in spite of everything).

Pix: Photos and the board. Simon (left) and Phil, Chairmen of the Board. The surf from our booth.