we trained together for a year
to be ready
for a long
3-day event
for charity
and
we thought
it would
also
make us healthier
in the process.
***
except that
we weren’t
the most natural
or best
walkers/runners
but we pushed on
and for
many, many days
we walked
through town
or
in the countryside
or
on the road
or
inside the mall
with
the hardcore seniors
during blizzards
or
anywhere we could find
an open space.
***
then one day
upon arriving at a park
for another training day
we saw a race beginning
and
on a whim
we decided
to start late
and join in
at the back
just for practice
and
we somehow
started moving up
in spite of ourselves
slowly but surely
until we were
near
the front of the pack
and suddenly
out of the blue
i got crazily competitive
not my usual mindset
at all
and i yelled out
‘i can take them!’
as i raced past
the front two people.
****
okay,
so
they happened to be
a very elderly man
and
a person with a noticeable limp
and
i
won the race
and
got a gold medal and a massage and a granola bar
and
i felt like
forrest gump
just dropping
into
the middle
of something
and
somehow
winning
by accident
and
it was
that moment of
crazy heart
that
made me unstoppable
and i’m sorry to have run past you –
people who thought you were going to win
and were in the front
and i know
you were old and infirm
but at last
i had found my pace
and my tribe
and
it was
quite a day.
****
—
image credits: flickr.com
I’m going to be thinking of this when I go to the gym. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
ha! now you have a goal – )
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are unstoppable Beth ☺️ Congratulations not for just passing an elderly man and one with a limp, but for courage, tenacity and strength to forge on. 💙
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, jen )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Celebrate! 🙂 This made me happy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
i’m glad, colleen )
LikeLike
Hi Beth! This was inspirational and fun to read! Thank you for the likes and the follow. I am grateful for the connection 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
my pleasure )
LikeLiked by 1 person
That made me smile 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
happy to make you smile )
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄
LikeLike
This made me smile from the inside out! Then, I completely lost it when I saw the Galapogus Olympics…not to mention the medal, the massage, and the granola bar. It’s all about the swag!!
I’m just returning to running after a botched knee surgery. My husband ran with me on Friday and commented that he would not be seen running in public with me any more. My hobble was so bad that he thought I’d required an emergency scope right there on the trail. I just thought it was rude that he (and my dog) left me for dead with a mile left.
Whatever happened till death do us part?
(Have a great week, Beth!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
so funny, happy you enjoyed it and feel better soon. you’ll be beating someone in no time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep up- the training Beth and soon you’ll be passing the competitors with walkers. Ha! You go Girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
so true! thanks, paul –
LikeLike
The Forrest Gump comparison is hysterical
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, roy )
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG how funny. Fabulous post and I’ll be smiling for a long time. Thank you for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’m so glad you liked it, my pleasure )
LikeLike
More power to YOU. Take ’em when you can get ’em. 😀 😀 😀
You didn’t scare the folks as you whizzed past, right? You’re okay then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, tess )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love winning. We are never too old to enjoy it. Well done no matter how deserving, or possibly from the point of view of the elderly couple, not deserving, you are. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, tric. it’s not really in my nature at all, except when playing trivia or doing crosswords ) for some reason, i just went for it. and was truly happy and surprised when i won by accident –
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome!! I might have done the same if I knew there was a free massage and granola bar waiting for me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
ha!
LikeLike
I just got back from my morning run Beth. What a lovely post. I run with the hope that some day I will be in a race, start small, and keep going. Forrest Gump is one of my favourite films -love how you felt like him. Here’s to more running, keeping the pace and small victories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you and it’s the small victories that keep us going )
LikeLike
I came next to last in the Galapagos 100 yard dash.I was proud until I heard the last one was dead…
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
well, you just have to take it for what it is )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved all the lead in for this win! You are the champion and you were ‘in it to win it!’ ha ha! I love a post that mixes in titles for movies, Beth! (Oh, the comment about hardcore seniors in the mall had me cracking up, I know exactly the ones who circle around two of the malls I go to!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks robin and i thought you might identify with a lot of this )
LikeLike
Tremendous post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks so much, bumba )
LikeLike
You are awesome with your solid training and newfound competitive zeal, Beth. Way to win the mystery race! Great prizes!! Forever memories!!! New friends????
Go get them when the real event comes around. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
you never know what will happen and who will become your lifelong friends. i’ve stayed close friends with the people i trained with, after so many hours on the road, and the big 3 days, it would be hard not to become close. we all finished our 3 day event, raised money, felt good and my feet got back to normal after about 6 months. )
LikeLike
I’m really glad that it was a win-win-win foot-massage win experience for you, Beth. That is very rewarding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to paste this post to my mirror, Beth. I’ve fallen off the exercise wagon in a big way. Congratulations on your newfound furor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, andra and i think you have quite a bit of energy yourself )
LikeLike
You are a ball of inspiration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ha! the accidental inspiration )
LikeLike
To be fair, how do we know the folks you passed weren’t actually a whole lap ahead of you?
LikeLiked by 2 people
good question from a great mathematical mind, joseph. i was sure because we were at the finish line and i won a gold medal. )
LikeLike
You’re awesome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
awww, thanks, jeff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anytime darlin. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wait a minute…..did someone “congragulate you” for passing an elderly man with a LIMP, no less?! Seriously? Did I misread something here? 🙂 Congratulations, Sweet Pea! (For “winning by accident!!”) 🙂 As usual, I love your pictures and writing. (I need to get some pictures!!!!! You’d think as a former teacher that I’d know people repond to VISUALS! Duh!!!) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
i know, and it was a bit of a bittersweet win, i must admit. ) i went absolutely win crazy at the end for some reason !
LikeLiked by 1 person
My smile emerged. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’m so glad )
LikeLike
Oh, that’s a hoot! Did you ever actually register for the race once you got there, or did you just insert yourself? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
we quickly signed up at the desk and ran in to the fray )
LikeLiked by 1 person
You shouldn’t have told me that… It was even funnier when you didn’t belong there. 😉 LOL! But this was funny, too! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful! <3!!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
someday we may accidentally win something together, susie )
LikeLike
Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
))
LikeLike
I love your I can do that attitude! Way to go. And make it fun for the rest of us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks! )
LikeLike
Important not to “run” out of luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes )
LikeLike
I love this posting.
I live in Florida and participate in 5-K walks.
I’m always surprised with the athletic abilities of the seniors in my surrounding area who whiz past me walking or running. I simply maintain my walking speed and make sure I’m ahead of somebody. LOL!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – so funny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Eliminating Negative Management Time | Strengths Based Coaching by 34 Strong