Below is my roster for 8th grade cross-country. I am not sure why I joined it. I wasn’t fast at all even though I was a skinny kid (I am not anymore) nor was I competitive. When we ran, I was almost always one of the last ones. I remember the short blonde 6th grader who was fast. He flew at the start line and never saw him again. Ray Calderón was the fastest 8th grader in our team. He looked more mature than others. I ran one season. Not too long after, our Middle School had assembly for parents and students and I missed it. Lo and behold I received a trophy for “Most Valuable Player”. No one told me why but I think I know. I always showed up and did what I had to do. I was reliable and consistent. I didn’t become a runner immediately after this but I always did throughout the years, though not consistently.
About 17 years ago I started running six days a week for close to three miles (I share more about this here and here). Sunshine, rain or snow (very few times) I seldom miss a day. Though I am not competitive, I have ran five marathons and one half marathon. My pace had been slow but consistently the same. At this pace even seventy year olds have passed me. But once again, I don’t run to compete. I run to finish. I do also run for my health and also because I enjoy the movement of the outdoors. For me what is truly important is discipline and consistency (showing up). Reflecting back at my life these two qualities have been almost innate and make me who I am today. They don’t neccessarily make me better or more successful than anyone but they do help me accomplish my goals, both short-term and long-term. In my dealings with people I find that when these are absent, it doesn’t matter what they set to accomplish, they set themselves to not finish.
I enjoy the Rocky movies, they are inspiring because Rocky never gives up. He keeps going. In one movie, his opponent keeps punching him and he keeps taking them. Rocky’s answer is “he’s getting tired”. Rocky has realized something important, you got to keep doing what you need to be doing. That takes discipline and consistency. The old proverb "slow and steady wins the race" is applicable here. Discipline and consistency will get you to your destination.
They misspelled my name
My mile timings
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