#2: Jump In

Deciding to Jump
When my youngest turned sixteen and began driving himself to practices, I knew I would have more time on my hands. I could spend this time being idle, or I could use it in a meaningful way. As I sat in bed contemplating my options, right then and there decided to jump. I registered, paid, and therefore committed myself to a sprint, half, and full IRONMAN®. My goal to become an IRONMAN®  would take me out of my comfort zone; for starters, I didn't even know how to swim! 

To date, I have completed six IRONMAN Triathlons® with my seventh scheduled in Texas for later this year. In each one, I overcame novel challenges. Every single time I choose to jump in again to whatever awaits me.  So often we want to stay in our comfort zone where it is safe; but if we want to grow, we cannot stay there. We must repeatedly jump again and again. My kids often roll their eyes when I sport my cap that reads 'Your Comfort Zone is a Lie' but this message embodies the mindset that enables me to overcome challenges. That little voice in your head that wants to keep you safe and comfortable is lying to you: joy and growth await you when you jump outside of of that protective zone! 

The Sprint + Half 
In March of 2016 I attempted a sprint triathlon in Keller, Texas. I always had a fear of the water, I nearly drowned as a child. This race would require me to face that fear. By watching youtube videos to learn how to swim and practicing in buoyancy shorts, I taught myself how to swim. When I jumped in the pool for the tri, I was shocked by the cold water. Albeit embarrassing, I effectively propelled myself forward by using the rope that separates the pool lanes. I swallowed my pride and proceeded forward, and I completed the race. 

In April of 2017 I completed my first half IRONMAN® in Galveston, TX. Again, my biggest challenge was the water. Only this time I was facing my first swim in the ocean. I may be talking a lot about 'jumping in' but in this race I actually scooted into the water by sliding in while sitting on my butt (but in I went even if it didn't look skillful). That little voice inside may have doubted me, but I was at least going to go for it. My goal was simple: just move forward. The salt water and my wetsuit helped keep me afloat. When I finished that swim, I was on a high, in fact I don't even remember the ride or run. Other challenges feel like a breeze, that is the power of overcoming a block. 

IRONMAN® Chattanooga 
My confidence as a swimmer was still very low. In September of 2017 I entered my next race with two friends. When they went out for a practice swim, I did not join them. I was terrified, but I specifically chose this race because the swim was down stream. Upon entering the water I had a panic attack that lasted at least five minutes. During that time I knew I needed to collect myself and lower my heart rate. I focused on my breathing and told myself to just move forward. And forward I moved, even if it was slowly. When I got my bag at transition, I noticed only five other bags remaining (clearly I was at the back of the pack). That didn't matter to me though, I jumped and was going to keep going, even if I was the last to finish. I longed to hear the words "POLLYANN KELLER, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!" And when I finally did cross that finish line, I heard those incredible words and I saw my husband Steve's face beaming with pride. The joy I felt cannot be described: Pollyann, a foster kid and now an IRONMAN®. 

IRONMAN® Louisville 
My next IRONMAN® race was in Louisville, Kentucky in 2018. This time my husband Steve was no longer on the sidelines rooting for me, but would be seeking the IRONMAN® title as well. We decided to use this race to count for Kentucky for our "50 Marathons in 50 States" goal. This time, I did attempt the practice swim. After doing so I felt incredibly defeated. I could not get upstream. The next day, we  were in the rain and froze, as we waited with thousands of people to jump in for the swim. The pros were pulled out of the water because they couldn't get upstream. Eventually, the call was made to divert the course downstream, but I was still worried (and freezing from all the waiting around). While swimming, I had another panic attack but kept going, using the buoys to guide me as I floated to the finish. As I started my bike ride I was shivering and my hands were numb, I could not get warm. I thought scaling the hills on my bike would warm me up, but the hills came and went and I was still shivering. At this point my focus was on getting to the aid station. 

When I finally got to the aid station at mile 30, they had moved the tent indoors to a high school. There were droves of competitors being treated for hypothermia and others waiting for a ride off the course because they were not going to complete the race. Spending fifteen minutes under the bathroom dryers, I failed to warm myself. I reconnected with Steve and a few friends and we called ourselves "the never quitters." We concocted a plan to keep ourselves warm as we continued onward. We wrapped our bodies in medical blankets and duct-taped them to us, then we put our clothes on. Over our clothes we adorned our bodies and heads with mylar blankets to block the rain. Throwing out our socks, we wrapped our frozen feet in Mylar blankets. These layers, determination, and positive self talk got me through the remainder of the race. During my run I finally warmed up, and this 'never quitter' crossed that finish line. 

IRONMAN® Maryland  
In 2019 we decided to check another state off our "50 Marathons in 50 States" list with IRONMAN® Maryland. This time it wasn't exactly the water that was my biggest obstacle, but what was in the water. When I jumped in my vision was obscured by body glide spray that was smeared on my goggles. I was already having difficulty seeing, but the situation quickly got worse. I felt something wrap around my arm, it was a long tentacle jellyfish that was abnormal for this area. They were apparently brought in by Hurricane Dorian. I was stung on my arms, legs, and face (including my nose and mouth). This caused me to experience another panic attack. When I was finally out of the water I began swelling and was experiencing incredible pain. My greatest fear was that I was experiencing an allergic reaction. With stings on my neck and face, I was worried how my breathing could be impacted. 

With instructions to douse my welts in vinegar, I listened and nervously got on my bike to begin my ride.  Uncertain with the ride ahead, I had tears in my eyes from the pain, but I peddled ahead anyway. Needing a break, I pulled to the side of the course and a young woman--who didn't need to--stopped to check on me. She told me I was going to be ok and that what I was experiencing was normal. On a practice swim she learned butt butter helped these stings. This kind stranger was right: it hurt, but it helped. Having her validate what I was experiencing was enough to put me at ease and I could tell myself "I am ok" and keep going. Another 140.6 IRONMAN® completed. 

IRONMAN® Cozumel 
In November of 2021 I completed my sixth and most recent Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico. Before the race even began we had issues transporting our bikes to Mexico (we did not know if we could put them back together once we got there). Then of course we had many additional hurdles to jump due to Covid. But if there is a will there is a way. Again I found a challenge in the water since I needed to complete this swim without a wetsuit. Being in open water without a wetsuit was a terrifying thought. Again I used self talk to reassure myself I could do it.  Continually I told myself "it's ok, you're just in the pool... you don't need a wetsuit."  Again, I jumped in. During the swim, I veered off to the left and hit a cold spot. I froze and had a panic attack. I calmed myself and doggy paddled my way back to the herd. When we got on our bikes to start the 112 mile ride, a huge storm rolled in with thunder and lightning. In certain puddles the water came up to my knees! By mile 90 the rain stopped and a beautiful rainbow appeared. This brought a smile to my face and yet again I appreciated the struggle, because without it we do not truly know what we are capable of doing. Now I know that while a wetsuit makes me comfortable, I don't require one. 

Take Away 
You can spend your whole life in your comfort zone. You can make excuses for why you shouldn't try something challenging. But you have a choice. A choice to stay where you are comfortable or to jump in and jump out of your comfort zone to see what you are really capable of. A quote from Einstein states "A ship is always safe at shore, but that is not what it was built for." We are not made to be safe inside our comfort zone. What will you choose? To stay docked and rust, safe at shore? Or will you pick up your anchor and discover what awaits you? The choice is yours: jump in. 
​
Until next Monday...