The human spirit

Coach John Wooden once said, "I believe a man or woman who strives conscientiously to become the best that he or she is capable of becoming can stand tall on Judgement day" I share Coach Wooden's assessment that EVERYONE, without exception, has the potential within to achieve success in this world....I think all too often we compromise, sell ourselves (and our Lord) short, and give up way too early just when the going gets a little tough.

Chris Ballard (SI) recently wrote about Arthur Webb - who, at age 67, has run 12 straight Badwater 135 mile Ultra marathons in temps which average 115 degrees in Death Valley, and Webb, to me, is a beautiful example of human spirit and commitment to excellence in his chosen passion. Webb states, "I hate excuses. The minute you lean on an excuse, you slide backwards. You made the commitment, so whatever you do, you're morally obligated to follow that commitment. If you don't, what's the purpose?"

I have found in life that those who make commitments and follow through on those commitments tend to live lives of success and significance. Many folks I know like the idea of running a marathon, doing the Ironman, going back for their degree, finding a new job....some have even committed to making it happen. But somewhere along the way, that thought which led to a commitment which sounded pretty good at the time, gets abandoned. They give up on the dream because stuff gets in the way, life gets complicated, and their priorities change. What they are really saying is that they have decided not to make the time that it takes to achieve success or significance.

Last weekend I had a perfect excuse to blow off the Asheville Half-Marathon. I arrived home at 1:00 AM Saturday morning, after 33 hours of flight time from Gold Coast, Australia where I had competed two days prior. Two months ago, before I qualified for the ITU World's, I made a commitment to run the half. I had paid my registration fee. So after four hours of restless sleep, I awoke to my alarm clock - got up, ate, left the house to pick up my number and chip, and ran the race. Sure I was beat - but I was determined to give it my best and focus on how cool it would feel to have nailed a half-marathon in light of the obvious physical challenges (lack of sleep, jet-lag, sore muscles from the race, a poor pre-race diet of plane food). Somewhere along that course, my human spirit and drive took over, my body went on auto-pilot, and my faith carried me to the finish. I took 8th, running the newer, tougher course in a PR of 1:28:38.

The Great Competitor

Beyond the winning and the goal, beyond the glory and the flame,
He feels the flame within his soul, born of the spirit of the game.
And where the barriers may wait, built up by the opposing gods,
He finds thrill in bucking fate and riding down the endless odds.
Where others wither in the fire or fall below some raw mishap,
Where others lag behind or tire or break beneath the handicap,
He finds a new and deeper thrill to take him on the uphill spin,
Because the test is greater still, and something he can revel in.

- Grantland Rice

Keep the Faith......BELIEVE!

PHIL 4:13