“Excuse me?”
I remember asking; thinking perhaps I’d misheard the words or sentiment.
But I’ll
backtrack slightly, to better inform you of a story that I’m learning isn’t too
unique or uncommon for most runners and athletes in general.
I was tired,
weary and sitting alone in a doctor’s surgery when I asked that question. I’d
popped in to get a professional opinion, specifically to work out exactly what
had happened during a race I’d (almost) run.
The race was
one of my first races, and I’d delightedly prepared, hydrated and fuelled perfectly
for the humid run (for those of you who may know, the event was the 2011
Twilight Fun Run 10km).
I’d even run
the (seemingly) perfect race! My ‘pie-in-the-sky’ goal was to complete the race
in under 36mins, and perhaps, just maybe crack the top 10!!!!
Imagine my
delight, when 1km from home I was rolling along on my time target and sitting
easily in 5th place!!! (behind someone I’ve since met, the
incredibly nice and talented Bior Arok!).
I don’t
remember the next 5-6minutes.
Although, I
do remember coming to, about a kilometre from where I remembered, on my feet,
and suddenly very scared and exhausted! Where was I? Did I finish? Had I
achieved time travel?
Long story
short, I hadn’t altered the fabric of time so I soon found my way to the first
aid tent, then to the hospital, where subsequent tests assured me, that bafflingly,
nothing unusual had occurred.
Not willing
to admit that maybe my particular team singlet was cursed (I’m a patriotic
member of the Ipswich Triathlon Club – http://ipswichtriathlonclub.com.au/
- despite not being able to
ride or swim particularly well!) I decided to seek some further advice.
It was
during a subsequent doctor’s visit that he sat me down with the reassuring
advice, that he couldn’t offer me any solution.
“So how fast
do you run?” he asked.
Beaming with
pride (I was a long time runner, short term racer and timer!) I told him I was
aiming to crack the 36minute barrier (for 10km).
“Perhaps you
should look at scaling back your running or choosing another sport?” he
suggested with anvil-to-the-newborn’s-face subtlety.
“Excuse me?”
I asked…..(but you know that already)
“It’s just
that, you’re times aren’t THAT good.” he reasoned matter-of-factly.
Now contrary
to how some runners would react, I chose to politely nod, acting as if this was
an inspired moment of medical brilliance, and left. I mean, he was simply giving his honest
opinion, this being; that without a logical cause to the effect of my ‘disappearing
act’, he couldn’t predict that this wouldn’t happen again. Also, I wasn’t a
destined Olympian either. Fair enough….I guess?
What he didn’t
get, was that…..the running wasn’t (and isn’t) about that.
For me it
isn’t about the people behind or ahead, and sure, it’s pretty rad to win
occasionally or to competitively race another runner, but about building upon what
I started….growing and becoming stronger and more confident as a person. It’s
also about meeting awesome people, staying fit, and smiling lots too.
It was the
first time that it REALLY hit home just how some people don’t get ‘it’!
And it’s not
an unusual story, I see it all the time, runners belittling themselves or
others by putting results and performances up against athletes on higher pedestals
and by locking aspirations and dreams away from those who (justifiably or not)
are aiming high!
Doesn’t
everyone have a Kenyan to chase (be it metaphorical or literal)?
It happened
another time to me too….I had a friend who dealt me the (sadly) overused phrase
many runners are told;
“You’re a
talented runner…..but you’ll never be elite..”
For reasons
unknown to anyone but him, he jovially added;
“…like you’ll
never have a sponsor or win too much, but it’s not about that right?!”
At this
point of the blog, two years of training and hard running since those words my
friend spoke, I would very much like to thank Steve, Margot, and the whole team at InTraining (http://www.intraining.com.au/) for
their continued support…as my sponsors.
I’d also like to thank them for continuing to run the
Twilight 10km event…which this year I ran 2nd (to the INCREDIBLY
talented Ron Darmon) in 33:20…not my best time, but surely a long way travelled
since my goals not too long ago!
So when it comes to those times when those fateful words are
spoken, excluding moments of imminent medical danger, I’m living proof of the
value in seeking out a second opinion!....
….and perhaps some new friends!.....(ones that run)
Keep running
(Stop when it hurts)
Clay
