We all run
for one or
more reasons,
maybe for
weight control
(it does
help), maybe
for physical
fitness (it
is good for
you), maybe
the racing
and competition
(it’s
in all of
us), it may
be for all
or any combination
of reasons.
My most memorable
race to date
was the Marion
Military
Institute
5K (4/13/02).
The reason
this is memorable
to me is
not how I
placed, not
the location,
not the course
but one runner
that made
me think
about running
and putting
it into perspective.
The race
was coming
to an end
and I’d
already finished,
as did most
of the runners.
I waited
and watched
as a couple
in their
late 60’s
came walking
in at a brisk
pace, yet,
they weren’t
the last
ones in.
We waited
some more
and a couple
of other
runners came
in as we
were told
there was
one more
runner we
were waiting
on. Then
there she
was, coming
in just in
front of
the police
escort, and
yes she was
running – well,
maybe to
some of us
it seemed
more like
a “jog” or
a walk but
she was doing
it. I first
thought, “boy,
how embarrassing
it must be!” Then
the thought
hit me, remembering
from John “The
Penguin” Bingham’s
book “The
Courage to
Start”,
that we ALL
have to start
somewhere.
I began to
think – “hey,
at least
she’s
out here
doing something
that a whole
lot of other
people wouldn’t
even try”!
To make it
even better,
when the
awards were
given out,
guess who
took first
in their
age group?
If you guessed
the young
woman who
came in dead
last, you’re
right. She
came in first
in her age
group! It
sent “chills” up
my spine,
because not
many people
have that
happen, plus
what better
motivation
for her to
keep running.
I was so
happy for
her and knew
how she must
have felt.
So why do
we run? If
we think
about it,
we can find
so many reasons.
Ever feel
like quitting?
Think about
her motivation.
She did it!
Oh, I took
first in
my age group
for the first
time but
it seemed
insignificant
compared
with that
young woman’s
achievement
and courage.
We may not
all be great
or famous
athletes
or even “former” greats
but there
are champions
everywhere
we turn and
every time
we run. How
many “champions” do
we run with?
Probably
more than
we even know.
Next time,
encourage
those that
may seem
to be last,
it may just
be what they
need to have
them come
back out
and do it
again.
Keep
running
and see
you at
the races!
Mark
Rutherford |