Sport is the magic potion that lifts our lives from the ordinary and can help give it some meaning and purpose. Like Music, Reading, Poetry, the Arts, etc, it lifts us from the mundane everyday and puts a spark into our lives.
‘It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better’
Last Sunday in Dublin was devastating to be a Cork hurling follower and it has taken days to be able to address it. I cannot imagine what the players are going through. Any team at inter-county level now is almost a professional outfit and we are blessed to be able to watch them in action at full peak of their power and skill. In fairness, well done to Tipperary and enjoy the celebrations.
When I think of the situation and how low Cork people felt last Sunday, then I go to John O’Sullivan, father of Sonia, who was interviewed in 1996 Olympics after she had failed to finish in the 5000m final in Atlanta for some consolation and perspective.
'Lads', said John O'Sullivan quietly, 'nobody died tonight.'
'She'll be back,'. 'We'll all talk tomorrow.'
For us runners we are a step above that, We are in the game as active participants and not merely spectators. If winning and losing is what is getting us out the door then we would never get out of bed. Thousands of runners in big city races and only one winner. We find our own way of judging success and glory.
We get the pre-race nerves and anticipation. The start line anxiousness. The burn and mental resilience of the race. The exhilaration of the finish line. The afterglow of well done and congrats. The medal for the collection and the t-shirt to wear with pride for a few days. The new Facebook profile pic that we say we hate.
We look for PB’s and signs of improvement. We are grateful for the physical health to be able to run. We chat with others to help our mental and social health.
‘At the worst if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly’
Not every day will go well. There will be setbacks, disappointments, a bad weather day but we bounce back and go again. We strive to improve. We live to get outside with our running shoes on. We are runners after all, we win everyday we race.
Final word. ‘Never with be those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.'
the pic attached is my favourite speech. Read it a few times, be brave, get off the couch and go for a run with the next goal in mind.
#pwr
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing your insights as always, Pat and best wishes with your return to running. As you say, every time that we put on a pair of runners and go for a run is a great day!
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