Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
F******’ up the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign…
– Tesla, Rock Band
Photo: Sign along Rte 130 near Salem, SC and the NC border
I snapped a picture of this sign with my phone today during my bike ride from my parent’s house on Lake Keowee, SC, up Rte 130 almost to the border of North Carolina. It’s a simple sign that indicates an intersecting road ahead to the left. When I reached the sign today, my choices were explicitly clear. I could:
Today, I choose to turnaround simply because this point was as far as I needed to ride. I could easily have ridden longer, but a 2 hour ride was what my coach prescribed for me today and exceeding that time would have gone against my “minimalist approach to training” philosophy.
Metaphorically speaking, the sign symbolizes decision points we face in life. In many cases, we must choose whether we: (1) turnaround, (2) continue straight or (3) change direction down another road. In other instances, signs may tell us we to stop, yield or warn us of upcoming danger. In all cases, we must make a choice. Even if we do not make a choice (i.e. do nothing and stand still), we’re still making a choice. In some cases, what the signs tell us may not be explicitly clear nor may it be what’s best for us as individuals.
While you are not always responsible for your experiences in life, you are always responsible for your experiences of life.
–Margie Warrell, Coach, Speaker and Author of Find Your Courage!
A simple quote, yet quite profound and something that I am aggressively taking to heart.
Decision points (signs) are how we take responsibility for our experience of life. I was faced with a big sign in 1995 when I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23 while serving as an officer in the US Navy. I could choose to feel sorry for myself or move forward. I choose the latter, which led me into the sport of triathlon as a way for me to prove to myself that I could and would beat the cancer.
I am once again at a decision point in my life. Two years ago, I walked away from a job at Capital One to pursue a career as a triathlon coach and race director. Last year was an exceptional learning experience for me as I worked with more than 20 coaching clients, directed 7 events and conducted nearly 20 clinics. Most importantly, however, I learned that a change in career does not bring guarantee happiness – i.e. the grass is not always greener. I love what I do, but I am still somewhat unfilled.
Photo: Me with my parents at Smallwood Triathlon 2007 (photo by Aaron Schwartzbard)
Now, I am attempting to step back away from my assumptions, my prejudices, my biases and my past experiences to reexamine what I really want out of my life in my heart of hearts – not what other people want me to do nor what I think I should do based on what others will think of me. I do not know the answers yet although I do know the answers are inside of me and unique to me only.
I am at the sign once again and I am choosing to move forward but along a new path. It’s a good thing. 
Cheers,
David Glover
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David B. Glover
Professional Triathlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net
Whether you're training to win a triathlon, training to finish or just need inspiration from my life journey as a cancer survivor, Navy officer and sub-nine hour Ironman triathlete, my book will inspire you to chase your dreams and live life richly and boldly.
You’re not thinking of leaving triathlon, are you?
Not at all.
Just rethinking what I do within the sport of triathlon as well as exploring other sports, businesses and adventures.
Cheers,
David Glover