"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt, 1910.
This is an excerpt from a speech given by Roosevelt. It is one of my favorites. I have used this often to encourage others to sign up for an event and to "go for it." So I took my own advice. I got back in the arena. I slugged it out for 13.1 miles. I got dusty, I got sore, and it was my slowest ever time. It did not meet my standard. But I went the distance. And while my biggest crtic is myself, I had to remind myself it is okay to suck. It is better to get in the arena and suck than sit on the sidelines. It is motiviating to be out with others in the arena. To do better than you would do just out for a run. To feel the crisp morning air. To put your sweatshirt in a gear bag and hand it over, and feel the chill on your bare arms as you meander to the start line. To stand for the National Anthem. To hear the starting horn. To get the adrenaline rush.To pick someone and try and catch them. To have someone hand you water. To cross the finish line. To get a medal.
I am sore today. More sore than one should be after a half marathon. But it is a good sore. And it will push my fitness forward. I will stay in the arena. Good Lord willing, and of course, to stay helathy enough the goal is an event a month this year. Big or small, it is, 12 opportunities to get in the arena. Next up, February, and the Tour de Palm Springs.
Hats off to the Tri City Medical Center Carlsbad Half Marathon for a great event. Scenic course, short, punchy hills that will make your quads scream, gorgeous views, and plenty of aid stations. Also, great swag with not one, but two quality garments. Big thanks to all the volunteers. This may not be an annual event for me, but I am sure I'll be back at some point.
