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The following article Run Your Own Race-At Your Own Pace was authored by Eileen McDargh and is republished in this directory with the author's permission. This directory is listed as service to attorneys, lawyers and the internet community.
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Run Your Own Race-At Your Own Pace
By: Eileen McDargh
On Thanksgiving Day, dawn spills over Dana Point Harbor where thousands of
runners gather for the annual Turkey Trot. The largest holiday race in
California beckons folks of all ages, sizes, shapes, and abilities. Waiting at
the starting line for the 10-K, I talk to a Dad and his 7 year-old daughter.
Around me, I hear bravado talk about marathons, triathlons, hard bodies and
zippo fat content. Thankfully, I spy silver haired folks with knee braces, a
young couple with babies in jogging strollers and runners decked in costumes
ranging from Santa Claus to Elvis Presley. Running in a gold polyester jump
suit, and pompadour wig while carrying a boom box blaring Elvis tunes will be
some trick. Me-I just want to finish.
The gun goes off and we all inch our way under the balloon arch. Runners jostle
for position, elbowing their way to break into stride. Me-I just grin at the new
day and feel righteous for having gotten up and down to the event.
By mile two, my righteousness turns to dismay as the seven year-old passes me
by. Elvis has already made the turn way before me and I am lagging behind a
woman who must have 10 years and 20 pounds on me. The sense of competitiveness
heats up and so does my pace. I forget that I already run two miles down to the
Harbor and have 4.2 miles left to go. The runners around me set my pace.
Suddenly, as I make the turn, I am struck by a humbling sight. Facing me, arms
pumping runs a young man with one leg glittering in the sun. The metal shank is
attached to his thigh. A thin aluminum calf leads to a metal foot curved like a
rocker. He is oblivious to anyone who passes him. He is running his own race at
his own pace.
I slow down, take his lesson, and resume my 1-2-3-4 mantra. Lesson learned,
smack between the eyes. How many times do we let others set the pace, ignoring
our own goals, our abilities? How many times do we judge our success or our
failure by what others have done?
I finish despite the pain in my knee. Way behind the silver-haired lady. Well
behind the 7 year-old. Ahead of the sleek bodied teenager. It doesn't matter. It
is my race, at my pace. And it is a great day for the race-the human race.
(c) 2004, McDargh Communications. All rights in all media reserved. Reprints
must include byline, contact information and copyright.
Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE is one of top-ranked women business speakers in the
United States. She's authored numerous books the newest of which is The
Resilient Spirit, radio commentator, and serves on the Board of Directors of the
National Speakers Association. You can find Eileen at
http://www.EileenMcDargh.com
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This article was posted on December 13, 2004
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