The Scorpion and The Frog

A scorpion is standing on the bank of a river, wanting to get to the other side. A frog happens by and the scorpion asks "will you give me a ride on your back to the other side?". The frog replies "No, for if I do, you will sting me and I will drown". To that the scorpion says "Why would I sting you? If I do, then I shall drown and die too".

The frog sees the logic of what the scorpion says and they set off. In midstream the scorpion stings the frog and as paralysis sets in and the frog is about to drown, it cries out "Why?? Now we'll both die!!"...

To that the scorpion answers..."Because I'm a scorpion, and that's what scorpions do".

So, why do I share this fable that I vividly remember from my youth with you, my friends? 

As I sit here, planning my work and racing calendar I am constantly fighting the tug of one vital fact.....I hate leaving home. I hate leaving my wife, my children and my dog...in fact, I hate leaving my house. If Michi and I travel, I miss the kids terribly. If all of us travel, I miss Bella and being in my comfortable home.....the possibilities are endless...but always with the same result....I want to be here.

With that, I ask myself..."Why do I keep planning these races if they take me away from home and all that I love?"

My only answer....the only thing that makes any sense to me is...."Because I'm a triathlete, and that's what triathletes do".

Perhaps it's better to embrace that which you don't love about yourself, rather than try to deny it?