I observed two races recently that caused two particular runners some angst, but also an opportunity to define their "moment". The first was the widely publicized "lap short" 2 mile of American middle distance star Jenny Simpson. The second was a friend of mine - a star on the local scene - who went the wrong way while leading a local race.
Both events resonated strongly with me - as I have had the misfortune of experiencing both at various times during my 25 years of running. (umm....maybe more than once?) Once at an inter-club Cross Country meet with team money on the line, I led early and went off course. I think the entire squad of the biggest rival club at that meet called me back on course. (I still hold those ladies - #GBTC - in such high regard!) I get so caught up in the moment when I run that I could be running through Babylonian Gardens or the lost City of Atlantis and I wouldn't notice where I was! (yes, it is always 110% my fault when I go off-course!). In 2011 I took a stab at the American 40-44 indoor 3000 meter record and asked no less than 3 friends to count laps aloud for me as I was so afraid of stopping a lap early! (been there, done that!) I managed to complete all laps of the 3000 that day!
Running is a somewhat unique sport in that you can't pin the blame on your team mates, the referee, the crowds, etc. Ask an NFL player why they lost the game? The answers will probably run the gamut from the QB's passing game to the Referee who needed glasses. Ask a runner why they stopped a lap short or went the wrong way and they will most likely respond with a shrug, perhaps an "I was caught in the moment" - but very rarely will you hear them blame it on somebody else. Perhaps because it is such an individual sport, runners place the onus on themselves.
I asked my friend what happened. Classy response on two counts - he said he went the wrong way (he had been in the lead) and that the second place male called him back on course. What he did not say was that it cost him the win, the series lead, and some cash. Do I remember who won the race? No. Will anybody? Probably not. What people will remember is that he handled the incident with class.
Jenny Simpson was on her way to setting the American Record in the two mile. Kicking a lap early, she thought she was finished one lap too soon. She realized her mistake, and gave it all she had to finish the race. Her post-race interview and the poise with which she handled the mishap probably won her more fans than if she had set the American record. Do I remember who won? No.
Then there are others, who chose to handle their moment differently. Nancy Kerrigan notoriously became a household name with her "Why me?". Mary Decker Slaney and Zola Budd are remembered for their track entanglement, and Slaney ripping off Budd's bib number. Suzy Favor Hamilton (amongst other things that won't be discussed in this blog) is remembered for falling on purpose when she realized she would not medal at the 2000 Olympics in the 1500.
Character. Jesse Ownes said, "It all goes so fast, and character makes the difference when it is close". Running so often mirrors life. Every day we are faced with major and minor setbacks. Often times, the lessons learned on the oval carry us through and help us cope. If we have the character to handle racing mishaps, then the blips that is our daily life are nothing; and vice-versa. Imagine a society where young people extolled the virtues of Jenny Simpson instead of Kobe Bryant? (yeah, I know...keep dreaming.....)
Until such day, I will hold those purveyors of misfortune in the highest regard, hope they hold their heads up high, and know that in the end, all that matters is how you ran your race...and your life....and not where you finished.
When your moment comes, be it in the sun or in in a thunderstorm, how will you be defined?
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