I’m not a Butcher but I have been. I’m not a Baker but I know how. I’m not a Candle Stick Maker but will give it a go when harvesting my bee’s wax later this year.
It’s been self evident my whole adult life, close as the nose on my face. Every single day I wake and ask, “What am I going to accomplish today?” I decided over 30 years ago that would be my measuring stick to success in life. Not judged or valued by any one other than my toughest critic, me. Everything I decide to give a go, in the end, winds up in my court of Truth and Honesty. Again, as determined by that rascal Jiminy, Seer of All. When I was a stay at home dad I was all in. Equally so as father of Nebraska’s current long distance running incarnation. No less the Bar None.
No matter what you call your trade or profession or duty or passion, set out to accomplish something every day. Success or failure should not enter the valuation at all. Honest Effort will always be the pillow of good sleep.
Congratulations to Matthew Maton of Bend Oregon! As reported here previously, coached by my mentor Jim McLatchie. Matthew became the first high schooler in almost 15 years to run sub 4 minutes in the mile at Hayward Field on Friday night clocking 3:59.38. On the other end of the spectrum, Bernard Lagat set a Masters World 10K Record running 27:48.
I had to go out to our Road Side Running Attraction & Museum to fetch Eugene, Oregon’s THE REGISTER-GUARD, dated May 28, 2001. A young, still with hair, Alan Webb (3:53:43) had just broken Jim Ryun‘s (3:55.3) 36 year old high school mile record, also at Hayward Field. I of course had to call the paper and get a copy for my collection. I’d better get on the horn with them this morning.
Always fun to feature this back in the day pic. I’ve got a copy of it autographed by both Alan and Peter vd Westhuizen with their lifetime mile bests of 3:46.9 and 3:54.9.
I’ve shared this one recently but a good way to tie up the story on Bernie. Peter, like me, burned hot for excellence. I’ve still got the ember, just waiting on the right time and person to glow brightly once again.
From Carlyle’s Essay on Burns, 1922, The Macmillan Co., New York:
“Our own contributions to it, we are aware, can be but scanty and feeble; but we offer them with good-will, and trust that they may meet with acceptance from those for whom they are intended.”
Giddyup!
About Author
