The logical follow up question to yesterday’s query. I gave you my thoughts on the primary difference between Runners Racing and Racers Racing. In It To Win It, the line of demarcation. And thank the Buddha almost every one of you now understand what that really means. Not always (but sometimes!) the first person across the line, but always, always, always giving it their very best. You savy? Being driven during the race to reach just a little further, first and foremost battling your own demons. You have no demons you say? You can stop reading here if so.
Demons that drive you.
Number one is self doubt. I don’t care how fit or unfit, fast or not fast, if you are a Real Racer there will come a time between gun and tape where you reach your personal red line. Letters writ large on that line “I CAN’T GIVE ANYMORE”. If you tell me that is not the biggest demon we face as Real Racers I’ll give you directions to the Millard Social and Book Club.
Number two is him/her. Wring your hands and gnash your teeth, here I go again! For every hundred runners in a race claiming its all about the journey and experience there is one In It To Win It. Within the confines of fair play, At All Costs. Who wants it more? I swear if it was me and you in the stretch it would Always be me at the tape. And keep in mind this is relative to your own god given ability. There’s always someone faster after all. But among those of like talent, when it really matters, the Mind Is The Athlete. And few have ever suffered more in those final meters, because after I master myself it is only you left. We can have a beer afterwards. Or not.
Number three is Mean Old Father Time. In cahoots with Old Scratch you know. This I promise and cross my heart! You, if you are lucky, will continue to age. Running through your youth like its guaranteed. Fairly loping through your twenties, faster times and fitness as natural as a bug. Manhood of your thirties, prowess maxing out if you’ve been right in training. And that is where it sneaks in. OFT. Unless you are one of the tiniest percentage of runners, or have easy access to some good dope, you’ll begin slowing down. And that is the toughest demon of all to wrestle. It did a number on me to be sure but I’m all better now.
So my final advice is this. Give Your Very Best When You Race. You will wish you had when you had the chance. And if you do/did? You’ll be writing a blog one of these days.
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