Something to Share...

I wanted to share this post with ya'll. I was reading my good friend Brian's blog yesterday and found this post both inspiring and amazing! I got his permission and am posting this share with ya'll! Enjoy!

Podium Lessons

A few weeks ago I was talking with a parent in my son's Cub Scout pack about training for a springtime 10k together. He's never run more than a mile and that was, in his words, "twenty years and fifty lbs. ago." I said to him, "Your timing is perfect. Time to make a change is now."


No sooner did I speak those words when I felt a tug on my arm, "Dad, Dad, Daaaaaaaad!"


"What is it, Harrison?"


"I want to do that."


"Do what?"


"Run a 10k."


"You want to train for a 10k?"


"Yeah, but... but... there's just one thing. I... ummm... want to run it with you."


"OK, we'll do it together." High-FIVE!


And so we are. First stop; the Dallas Running Club's Frigid 5k this weekend. He had a goal of bettering his last 5k time of 25:55 set in November. Not a bad goal for a 9-year-old, I thought. I would be his pace man.


Although he started at a quick place, fast enough to set a personal record, he began to fade at the half way mark and at two-and-a-half miles he slowed down considerably and said he needed to walk. I told him to take as much time as he needed but only enough to get his strength back and then run again. We walked for a hundred yards or so when suddenly, without warning, were passed by a boy about his age. I said, "Harrison, I think that guy is in your age group. You should try to catch him."


Some would have just let him go or make an excuse why they couldn't make pursuit. But Harrison took a deep breath, wrinkled his face like a worn catcher's mitt and gave chase. He was running at a full sprint with arms pumping and chin pointed high while I ran right on his heels. When we caught up to the boy, with only 50 yards to the finish, Harrison gave him a dismissive look and kept on going as hard as he could. Never looking back, we crossed the finish line together in a time of 27 minutes and 35 seconds. No personal record but perhaps something more valuable.


His efforts earned him second place in his division. After he was presented with his trophy he exited the stage and waited at the bottom of the stairs for the boy he passed on the course, the third place finisher. When the boy approached, he extended his hand and I overheard him say, "Hi, I'm Harrison. Good race." The boy looked like he wasn't sure what to do or say. He simply shook hands and walked away without saying a word.


What Harrison gained was far better than a personal record and more valuable than a trophy. He learned the values of determination and sportsmanship.


Once in the car for the drive home I asked him what he wanted to do next. He said, "Let's run together more but first, can we stop and get coffee?"


That's my boy.


Stay tuned...

Comments

Mike Russell said…
My boy is starting to hit that age. That was a good lesson for your friend's son to learn. Good sportsmanship is hard to find today, in kids and adults.
Thank you Marci for including Harrison's story on your blog. I look forward to running with you again. Hopefully soon.

Stay tuned...
Charles Brodsky said…
Hi,

Good luck at Nation's Tri and thanks for registering.

Charles Brodsky
CEO Nation's Triathlon
gotta teach them while they're young... great story

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrating Myself

Coming Up...

My I Can Do Hard Things Swimming Edition