"Drafting" is Illegal for Triathlons, but Not for Life

Last night I picked up my newest Triathlon Magazine for some light reading before bed. Psychologist say that there is greater probability of dreaming of the topics you just read, when read before bed. If this is the case, I figured if I dreamed about being in a triathlon I could count it toward my yearly goal. No such luck. As I flipped through the magazine I came across an article on the illegal practice of "drafting" in a triathlon. Drafting by triathlon definition is, "To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream." When another biker or runner are in front of you they disturb the air flow and provide less resistance which saves you energy. Obviously, this is an advantage!

A couple weeks back I rode in a local bike tour with a few other friends. As we cranked through about 40 miles of the 60 mile tour some of us were starting to feel the fatigue. Okay, I was. To save my legs for another 20 miles of cranking we took turns leading. The farther I was back in the pack the more slipstreamed it was. There were times when the rest of the line was pedaling like mad and I was just coasting, having a snack, checking my voicemail and taking in fluids. In a triathlon race this is illegal. The goal of a triathlon is to perform with your own ability without the aid of others or any outside influence. It's you against the swim, bike, run, weather and course.

In life as well, we often get it in our head that we have to perform alone against the daily elements of marriage, parenting, job, health, finances, and faith. We develop the mindset that the goal of life is to perform it on our own with little help from outsiders to slipstream areas where we feel resistence. It's illegal to get help.

When pedaling through this great adventure called "life," we need to remind ourselves that God did not intend for us to ride alone but to draft off each other so as to stay fresh for the journey. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states this drafting truth, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man or woman who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

I agree that in a triathlon race it should be a solo effort by the athlete to run the race, but in the race of life it is good practice to surround ourselves with others. By doing so, the resistance of day-to-day life stuff is streamlined and we will have continued strength to enjoy life to the full as Jesus intended in John 10:10. So if it's not a triathlon, draft away!