A woman on my running group posted this yesterday after running the Chicago marathon. She trained with Chicago endurance Sports and after training was completed, woke up to see this post written on the groups website by another member. To me, it sums up so much about the spirit of running. Im re-posting here:Written by Chris W.):Thanks to My CES Family: Every. Single. Person. I want to say thanks for all the inspiration I got from the members of the CES family that I’ve seen and talked with, but that I’ve never run with. Specifically, the people who doubted themselves in word, but inspired me through work. I’ve had the honor of pacing with the 7:30 Yellow pace group out of Old Town this year. When people ask me what my pace group is, I would often cringe a little bit. Not because I was embarrassed: far from it. The runners that I have had the privilege of joining on their journey to the marathon are, to a person, amazing people who have been an absolute joy and an inspiration to get to know (or get to know better) and to train with through all our ups and downs. I’d cringe at the question because so often, I knew where the conversation would go after I said my pace group (the fastest pace group offered). Not always, but far, far too often, the questioner would immediately make some form of self-deprecating comment. “I’ll never be that fast!” or “It’s going to take me over six hours to finish, I bet that seems pathetic to you.” I heard so many flavors of these sentiments. I’d say some reassuring words about us all being in it together and 26.2 miles being the same distance no matter how long you spent covering it. But I’d cringe inside for the sole reason that I knew, yet again, I wouldn’t be brave enough to say what I really wanted to say to that person. But, it’s never too late. So I’ll hide behind this keyboard and say it here: You inspire me. You: the self-doubter, the first-time-marathoner, the run-walker, the “I’ve never been athletic” self-doubter… Every single one of you that I met. You inspire me. I’m not as humble as I should be, but, I’m humble enough to know that a whole lot of my success in running is unearned. I didn’t do anything to “earn” being born with a high metabolism, a skinny little frame, tiny hips and big quads, lungs and muscles that process oxygen more efficiently than most…. All of this contributes greatly to my “success” (as most define that) in running, but I didn’t earn any of it. And I know all too well that the vast majority of people, myself very much included, gravitate towards activities that they’re naturally gifted doing. Positive reinforcement is powerful. While I get a lot of innate joy out of running, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to my vanity and say that I enjoy being competitive, chasing age group wins, and even overall-wins in local races, and all the cheers and adulation that comes with finishing in the front of the pack. And the reason that the people who would talk down to themselves inspire me more than anyone else is that I know the weakness that’s in myself. And it’s not in them. I may talk strength, but I know the weakness that’s in me. They don’t know it, but they’re stronger than I am. Because while their words were muttering of their own doubts, their actions were shouting of their power. And I wasn’t brave enough to tell them. I honestly doubt whether I would have the dedication to get up a half an hour earlier on weekend mornings to start with the run-walk groups at 6:00 a.m., knowing that I’d be out doing my long run after many of the other groups, including the groups that started a full half an hour later, would be done and back home with their families and enjoying their weekends. I know how much time I sacrifice from my family for my training. And the people who would denigrate their own sacrifice to me were sacrificing more. And I wasn’t brave enough to tell them. I honestly doubt whether I’d spend the time and effort on running if “all” I got from it was the internal satisfaction, if it wasn’t something that I was naturally (undeservedly) gifted at, if I couldn’t race to beat the field but instead was “just racing to beat my own limitations. And the people who would downplay their own accomplishments to me were accomplishing so much more than I was, and they didn’t know it. And I wasn’t brave enough to tell them. Until today. I’m so inspired by my CES teammates who are stronger than me. The people who were quickest to put themselves down to me were the people who I am most inspired to run with. People who were running their first marathon, and truly doubting whether they could finish. People who have struggled at times in their life with their weight. People who never thought of themselves as athletes, to say nothing of having other people praise them for their athleticism. People who train their heart and soul out with the goal of finishing before the course closes, so they can be recorded as an “official” finisher by the powers that be. So, from behind the safety of this keyboard, I’m finally brave enough to say it. I’ve heard the words coming out of your mouths doubting yourselves during your training. But while you were saying those things about yourself, I couldn’t hear what you were saying, because your actions were speaking so much louder. I saw, week in and week out, the way that you cheered each other through every run. I saw the way that you would look so worried at the beginning of the run, and as the run would go on and on, and you’d be stronger and stronger, there’d be more joy in faces as you’d conquered yet another week of “this is the longest I’ve ever run in my life.” And this past Sunday, whether you had a great day or a bad day, whether you met your goal time or didn’t, whether you finished your first marathon or just took another step on your journey to when you will finish your first marathon, I saw you out there, and your courage and passion and accomplishment and strength moved me to tears. So in the days and weeks and years ahead, I’ll see you other there on the path. I’ll be running my pace while you’re running yours. Please, when you see me nod in passing, know this: I’m certainly not looking down on you. I’m not even looking back at you. I’m looking up to you. You inspire me. Thank you so much for your inspiration.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:39:29 +0000
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