On Sunday September 13th Allison did something amazing! She completed a mini triathlon that included 7 miles of biking, 1.5 miles of running and 300 yds of swimming.
To do that takes serious training and determination. I was thankful that I got a front row seat from the beginning to end of Allison’s training. 🙂
Back in the month of March Allison could only run 30 seconds at a time, she had a hard time swimming for long distances and biking was super difficult!
In the time leading up the traithlon I went biking with her several times and Allison would say “Bryant we’re riding 4 miles today” and I was like GREAT 😦 By the time we’d finish the 4 miles Allison would be as happy as can be and there I was about dead!
The thing I observed and learned from Allison is how to be determined and not give up. Allison wanted to complete this so bad she was willing to do whatever it took to reach her goal. Other than biking I saw her get up at 5am to go swimming at the gym multiple times to get better, I saw her running outside and on the track at the gym. What was she doing? Getting better and better each time she went out there.
I also went swimming with her a couple times and Allison would do 6 laps no problem and there I was again… about dead.
A Victorious Mindset
The week of the triathlon Allison said this phrase over and over “I’m gonna see a victory” and she sang a song about God’s favor and presence being with us. She even told me that’s what she was going to be saying these things in her mind while the race was going on.
It would’ve been easy for her to be negative saying “I’ve never done this before, I won’t make it” or “I will probobly catch a cramp and won’t finish.” Allison chose to be positive as much as she could and I noticed it.
I think we can all learn from Allison about having a victorious mindset and backing it up with determination.
How many times have you faced something and said “I can’t do it” or “I don’t have the talent.”
The song Allison listened to a lot before the big day was “The Blessing” by Elevation Worship and I love how the lyrics go: “May his favor be upon you, for a thousand generations.”
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you
Allison said these were the lyrics she was singing during the triathlon. They don’t allow you to have headphones, and you are out there all alone, trying to finish. Allison said, these lyrics reminded her that she wasn’t alone, that she could keep going no matter what because He was with her.
I love that no matter what we do, we can be like Allison and say we’re going to see a victory and be confident that the Lord is with us, showing us His favor! Don’t forget this truth from scripture:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
Whatever you’re battling right now or if you’ve got a battle coming up I want you to know that the battle belongs to the Lord and like Allison, I believe you’ll see a victory. Stay confident and stay faithful knowing that the best is yet to come.
Bryant Westbrook 