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 This I Believe http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138 Knowing Life I believe in the journey. I believe in running in the rain. I believe in forty mile bike rides just because. I believe in two hour wrestling practices in June. I believe in anything worth doing should be hard. I believe in reading books from the bottom shelf. I ran my first marathon in college. It was an awesome experience. It was 2000 and I was in Chicago. The crowds were huge; the environment a field party and the post race feast was something out of the Boston Tea party. But when I see the finisher photo on my wall or the shoes with 4:00:23 on the heel I don't think of running through Chinatown or Little Mexico or up the ramp along side Soldier Field. I think of the twenty mile loop around Lawrence, KS. I think of the April runs in the rain. I think of quiet summer evenings by myself. At this point in my life it was no longer solely about the finish, it became about the journey. Since then as race day nears, I make sure that I register for the next race first. As a freshman in high school thirty members of my class were on the wrestling team. I remember six thirty morning runs. It was our version of the breakfast club. We would put on our sweats, turn on the music and runand talkand run some more. We did not enjoy these sessions, but we did not complain; at least not in public. At the time it was about an individual trying to accomplish the goals of a fourteen year old. When we finished, it was about a group of eighteen year olds completing what they started. At the end of four years only six of us endured. I remain in close contact with three of the other five and this summer they will attend my wedding. Having graduated I now teach and coach at the high school level. I believe in the summer wrestling practice. Most people will do what you ask of them, but I look for those who want more. Anyone can practice during season, only those mentally tough will continue after season; sometimes on your own. Many young people lack the determination to continue after a loss. Today they have so many options it often seems that when something becomes difficult it is easy to quit. For this they miss the journey. I believe in those who stick out the bad days, especially when they are optional. I believe in those who keep the windows closed during the summer because it makes practice harder. I believe in reading books from the bottom shelf because they are there. I believe in failure as a part of life. I believe in turning leftbecause we have not gone that way. Article posted April 10, 2006 at 11:29 AM • comment (7) • Reads 796 • see all articles |
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