This post is rated Ironman.

What do you do with disappointment? Do you ignore it or accept it? And for that matter what effect does disappointment take on your life?

These are questions I am wrestling with on the heels of my performance at Ironman Coeur d’Alene this past weekend. I flew across the country with vision of qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. I came up short, I failed to execute and left the state of Idaho filled with disappointment. Those are the facts, and now its time to deal.

Will I allow my disappointment to destroy me or discipline me? I believe it is necessary to accept disappointment because failing to do so will lead to blame. I could have very easily blamed my performance on the tough conditions, the weather or the course but that wouldn’t do my any good.

The discipline will come in what I learned during the race to the extent I apply it to the next one. The great thing about my disappointing race is that I know the next one will be better as a result of this one. The fact of the matter is that I made several small mistakes throughout the day that I will be more conscious of next time. Each race presents an opportunity to grow. I accept full responsibility for the outcome of my race and the disappointment that comes along.

After all, blaming is not a strategy it is a tragedy.