Indiana Jones- Transition Man

Everyone talks about the three main disciplines of triathlon, run, bike and swim while almost always ignoring the ugly step sister, the transition area.  When you think about it, to a competitive triathlete, races can be won or lost by less than the time spent in transition.  With all the hype about the new Indiana Jones movie premiering I was thinking about a recurring theme in each of the previous movies.  When the intrepid Indy is being chased he always seems to find a door or passageway to go through while trying to escape his pursuers.  This doorway is actually a transition area that eventually leads to some bigger room where our hero emerges to another adventure.  Like all good triathletes, Indy has to go through this transitional phase in order to continue his journey.  What is really neat about Indy is that while trying to outrun his predators he doesn’t just wait in transition and hope. No he accesses the situation, figures out some answers and saves himself.

Transitions are about change.  When you think about it, a transition is a one way path.  Not only can you not turn back but you change to a completely different person.  The swimmer can no longer cling to the womb of the water but must don the armor of the cyclist who eventually gives way to the runner.  Like triathlon and the movies, life has transitional moments that come upon us and cause us to slow down, change our focus and emerge as someone quite different.  These transitions are often not by choice but are part of the game of life.  There is much value in these brief areas of change if we are focused enough to understand them.  The transition area during a race is a time for gathering your energy, putting the past behind and preparing for the next challenge.  Used properly these few minutes can be a time of mental renewal.  It truly is about being in the moment. 

June is a month of weddings and graduations both are major transition areas of life.  So are the loss of a loved one, changing health and retirement. Viewed properly these events can all be opportunities but only if we take action and be proactive.

So the next time you find yourself having a hard day during a race and are feeling like you are in the Temple of Doom, be like Indiana Jones and look for that secret door.  Just watch out for snakes.