I'm sure each of the pacers could have finished in a faster time on their own, but they put their own ambitions aside for the sake of others. Runners who stayed with them were able to meet their finishing goals.
I couldn't help but compare that to real life. We're all running, trying to finish. There are times we are pace setters and other times we're hoping to stay on pace. With each trial we make it through, there are lessons we've learned. Lessons we can pass on to others who may face the same situation down the road.
Once our eyes are opened to victories of all sizes, we can see them more easily in ourselves and in everyone else. There is no better feeling than to acknowledge someone else's milestones, especially the little ones that they haven't thought to celebrate. Remind them.
~Kristin Armstrong, MILEstones, Mile Markers, Runner's
It would be very selfish of us to not share our experiences with someone who is facing the same path. It would also be very foolish to ignore the words of wisdom from someone who has already been there and done that.
Just as there were many runners who were faster than me, there were runners who were slower. I was passed by many and passed many. It wasn't unusual to pass the same person as they took a walk break, then be passed by them while I took a walk break. Those who offered a kind word of encouragement, a smile, or a "we're almost there," gave me hope that the journey was going to be worth it.
"Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners, too."
~ Richard O'Brien
Are you in need of some pacing today? Look to those wiser than you, those who are further down the road. If your journey has been long and your pace steady, don't forget those who are coming up behind you.
2 comments:
Thank you for being a blogging pace setter for me!! :)
Excellent!
Post a Comment