So I'm out doing my regular Saturday exercise, which consists of Speed Walking and Jogging - for those of you who are veterans, think "Airborne Shuffle". I was having a great experience in my neighborhood and after ending up on the campus of Johns Hopkins University, everything turned into a "Forrest Gump blur". I'm about to jog into a crowd of number wearing runners, so I decide to keep it simple and instead, dovetail to run with them, in their same direction. About a half mile later I realize I am running alongside the participants of the Baltimore 10 miler - no problem - I can stop anytime I want right?
Famous. Last. Words.
Here are the lessons I learned on this particular hot, muggy, Surprise Saturday...
1. Before getting committed, read the fine print - you might think there is no real price to pay, until 3 miles later when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Here is the revelation - assess, analyze, evaluate, and then decide. Are you willing to pay the price? If so, then dive in!
2. People will encourage you on, even if you tell them you don't want to go - I told several people, "No, I'm just out for a casual Saturday morning exercise deal." But they kept encouraging me to not quit and the volunteers pushed water in my face as I ran by them. Many onlookers also stood on the side lines and yelled words of great cheer and confidence. I couldn't stop if I had wanted to (which I did by the way).
3. Even though you are not prepared, you can go farther than you think. At the last half mile, you would have thought I was Florence Griffith-Joyner, as I ran under the arches, hearing the announcer comment on the excitement and the thrill of victory. He said that there were 4,100 contestants, but by my count, there were 4,101.
4. When it's all said and done, you still have to measure you stride. While everyone was getting caught up in crossing the finish line, in the back of my mind I had the unsettling reality of knowing that I was now in the middle of Druid Hill Park, another 4 miles away from my home. That meant that all the runners could untie their laces and celebrate, but I still had to push a little further.
5. And lastly, you have to represent - always. Of the 1,000 runners I personally saw, only about a dozen of them were Black. I notice we tend to sit these types of events out. What's up with that? So of course, I had to push myself farther than I normally would have - we all do. For example, if you are the only female, you sometimes bend over backwards to show that you are not a weak link.
Or maybe that's just me.
All in all, I had a refreshing, fun, challenging Saturday morning. I heard them announce that the next annual 10 miler will be June 18, 2011. Maybe I'll actually register for that one - after all, I already know the course;-0
To Your Ability to be Versatile & Make the Best out of EVERY Situation,
Coach Kim
About this Author
Kim McDaniel is a former Army Intelligence Officer who loves leading and serving. She has traveled and lived abroad for 5 years, and discovered that people all over the globe are mostly striving for the same things - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Lots of times that looks like creating a better future for the next generation - more options and greater opportunities. Kim thinks that is a fair request. Happily married for 21 years, she is part of a vibrant, energetic, highly motivated homeschooling family.
Kim has been coaching for over 12 years, empowering people to move to greater levels of success - personal, professional, and financial. It all comes down to 2 words: Knowledge & Application - and she is good at helping people do both. Kim helps people to be accountable to their own goals and outlandish in going for their dreams. One of her favorite quotes:
You only go around once - but if it's one good time - that's enough!
http://www.YourBestYouBlog.com
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