Beyond Competing: What It Means to Endure

Enduring the race...and life's challenges

Photo courtesy: jacsonquerubin, Flickr

As I prepare for my first half-marathon, I've been reflecting a lot. There are so many individuals who enter competitions and use these events as a platform for affecting change (by raising money for causes or helping bring awareness to social issues and the like) -- whether it's societal or personal change.

For some, it's more than just a race. It's a personal test of endurance on the course, and in many ways, it parallels enduring the toughest challenges in life. Lately, two stories related to racing have occupied my thoughts. These stories have been such a source of inspiration.

About 3 years ago, I was puttering around the web and came across this incredible video about a father racing with his disabled son: Dick and Rick Hoyt or Team Hoyt. Over the years, Team Hoyt has grown beyond the duo with their story attracting quite a number of followers who have raced with them and supported them. 

This father-son team has completed more than 1,000 events, including 72 marathons and six Ironman triathlons. Last April, they competed in the Boston Marathon for the 32nd and last time. At 73, Dick decided his marathon days were over after dealing with injuries. However, he still plans to enter less intense events with Rick. Meanwhile, Rick will be able to continue participating in the Boston Marathon with someone else from Team Hoyt pushing him in his customized racing wheelchair.

 

The next inspiring story appeared on my Facebook newsfeed today: the story of homeless runner Ronnie Goodman. He lives on the streets of San Francisco, but he is raising funds for the Hospitality House Community Art Program through his participation in the San Francisco Marathon's half-marathon. The non-profit was instrumental in turning his life around -- a life that included prison time and drug addiction.

These are just two of many stories that come out of the racing community. Now that I see running as a part of my lifestyle, I hope to come across even more stories and people that propel me forward.

Playlist Inspiration

When you hear a certain song, do images from your life stream in your head? That's exactly what happens to me. While OK Go's Writing on the Wall is essentially a break-up song, it's nostalgically new wave and actually made me feel happy. It brought me back to my Depeche Mode-The Cure-New Order-blaring days. Of course, now I need to have it on my iPod. I'm always on the prowl for new tunes that speak to me, especially now that I'm going on these long 9-mile-plus runs.

Music has a way of tapping into my emotions and sweeping me away into whatever state I'm in at any given moment. A good playlist helps me power through some tough moments out there on the road, when I feel like my legs are going to fall off.

As you can imagine, I have different running playlists to suit my moods. It's not all about the fast, heart-pumping techno songs that get me through my workouts. Songs like this definitely inspire something in me and this video -- with its awesome optical illusions -- makes me like the song even more.