We’ve got a secret

Oct 7, 2011 | 17 comments

Those of us who compete in running races and triathlons have a secret. We know something that a lot of people don’t. We know how to endure. Our sport even has that word in it – endurance.

Some people will say that we are crazy or addicts or that we didn’t get this fulfillment earlier in our lives. But I say, to hell with those people. Call us crazy, call us addicts. Sure, maybe we weren’t track stars or high school football heroes, but what does it matter now? Some of those former early achievers are now listless and reliving past glory days while we are out making new ones.

We aren’t all winning age group awards or even finishing in the top ten but we know what it takes to finish what we started. We endure. We thrive. We give it all we’ve got. We know that pain is temporary and reaching a dream is forever.

People are always afraid of what they don’t understand. How many times have we heard our friends say “I could never do that.” And how many times have we ourselves thought “I could never do that.” And then, against all odds, we do. We train. We toil. We hurt. We endure.

This post is for everyone who has set a goal and is on the way to meet it. This post is for those who never considered themselves athletes. This post is for those who received little support on the way to their goals. This post is for everyone who signed up for that very first race and thought “I can do this.”

Just remember, when it hurts – it’s temporary and only a little pain stands in the way of your dreams. Endure and never give up.

17 Comments

  3. Greg
    Greg on October 7, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    I also suffer from "adult onset athleticism." If distance running has taught me anything it's not to fear change. I embrace new experiences now, rather than cowering.

    Good post today. 🙂

  10. Bob
    Bob on October 8, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    61 and just got runner's knee (Thought I was immune) but Cho-Pat seems to be helping and I expect to be back out there in no time. Glad I got a bike!

  13. Jason
    Jason on October 9, 2011 at 11:11 am

    I just absolutely love this. Terrific post my friend.

  15. Vaudiophile
    Vaudiophile on October 10, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Great post. I love how everyone has to play it off as if we're compensating for something and/or having some sort of mid-life crisis. I think most of us just start it to get in shape, and then realize that we just enjoy it. After that, some people just have to do more to enjoy it because the runs get too easy for them.

    I also don't buy into the idea that all runners are trying to "fill some sort of void" in their life. Most of the people I know that run have such full lives and so much going on, it's amazing they even find time to run.

  17. Joanna
    Joanna on October 15, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    I love this post! And every now and then, it's exactly what we (runners) all need to hear.

    I hope you're loving your weekend in Detroit and running strong! I can't wait to hear about it.

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