Gifts, Lessons And Gratitude...

Gifts come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes you can hold them in your hands, some you wear on your head but some are more ephemeral in nature, you cherish them in your heart.

Here is a short list of the gifts I've received through running, lessons I've learned and things that I am grateful for over the last year.

Sharing the enthusiasm:

Thanks to Steve Swick (a running partner at work) for letting me be a part of his first official race. He has shared his apprehensions, his sweat and effort with me since June. With the completion of his first 5k this month, he has seen the results of a process begun six months ago. He now knows why we run and he's hooked on the effort, adrenaline and sense of accomplishment.

Words of wisdom:

Thanks for the literary efforts of Eugene, Dan, Joe and others. Their magical words give me reason to write down my own musing, with the hope that they strike a chord elsewhere. I am, in turn inspired, entertained, amazed and enspirited. I look forward to each new thought put to paper (electronic or physical) that they submit.

Writing for myself:

In the end I write for myself to clarify my own thoughts and feelings. The fact that I can share my navel gazing with you is a pretty special thing all by itself.

Running the trails:

Sulphur Springs and Royal Botanical Gardens trail systems are a unique resource. We live in a truly beautiful location and are privileged to be able to have them available to the general public. I have been blessed with the turning of the seasons as well as a place in which to enjoy and appreciate them.

Racing:

Races are where I get to live large, and revel in big emotions. Living in the little box our comfortable lives become, it's easy to insulate yourself from emotionality. With great joys usually come great depressions. The exception seems to be racing. Sure, I tempt failure and the emotions that come with it, but I also strive to put all of myself into accomplishing my goal. Isn't unadulterated passion a wonderful thing? It makes you feel alive and whole even when you are wasted and hurting.

Winning and losing:

I've learned that I can win when I lose. In order to succeed, you must accept that you can fail and embrace that as part of the process. I am no longer afraid of failure, only of not being prepared. If I have done everything I can to prepare and given my all, then I have succeeded regardless of the outcome.

Running with real characters:

Racers aren't grey people. Pitting mind and body against the clock forces you to live beyond your comfort zone, and makes the struggle for excellence real. The trip to work, the nine to five grind that we all face, gives us little chance to cross any meaningful finish line. The only race most people run is the sprint to the intersection to beat the yellow light or the corporate marathon to retirement. Accomplishments are measured by making it through to Friday, or by counting the number of candles on the cake. A runner who competes in a race, knows intimately the price of victory and the joy of competition.

On being hurt again:

No I don't like being in pain, but injuries keep me honest and remind me of my limitations. There is always a price to pay for anything of value. Sometimes that means getting up at 5:30 AM to squeeze in a long run, or turning down a late night to make the club run, other times it's a pulled muscle or plantar fasciitis.

Who am I?:

My full measure as a human being is not limited by my PB's (personal best) and distances. Yes, I am a runner, but I am also a child as well as a father, a lover, an adversary, a student but also a teacher, an artist, musician and self confessed computer geek. I am all these things and more. But most of all, I am a human being that is still trying to find my real limitations. I refuse to be bounded by labels and expectations that others want to put on me.

Working the finish line:

Timing and volunteering at races lets me give back to the running community. It reminds me to take a deep breath and be calm when things don't go well. Some things that we take for granted, like having a well marshalled course, water stops and accurate race results posted quickly are a lot of work and stress for those trying to do their best. The down side is that you also meet people that insist on being jerks no matter how much leeway you give them.

Time for myself:

My wife and kids give me the time to do what I need to do to keep my head on straight. Most days it's done willing, but sometimes it's grudgingly. This reminds me that life is a balancing act that requires compromise, but also commitment. That also means booking a ninety-minute lunch time meeting each and every lunch. That makes sure that I get some time for myself and my lunchtime run.

Newsletter editing:

I am honoured with being entrusted with the responsibility of getting this newsletter published. I have jokingly said that my membership in the club is safe, because no one else wants to do this job. With all things worth doing, there are times when the going gets tough and it's just pure work. There are occasions when the time line gets tight and things just aren't happening as they should. I believe that if it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.

Good friends:

As much as I like running alone, I don't want, nor need solitude all the time. Some of the most memorable moments in my short running career are not the PB's or big races, but those times spent with others.  The Saturday and Sunday club runs, lunch time bull sessions, Wednesday evenings with the Foot Tools crowd, make a solo activity a social one. When Allan Sillitoe wrote "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" , he didn't know what the heck he was talking about.

By Mark G. Collis

Revised: December 24, 2003.