A few months ago, after being drained by repetitive pleas from my 6 1/2 year old daughter to get a new pet, I finally told her that she could get one after she ran, and finished, her first 5K race. Knowing that she had never run more than 200 yds without begging to stop, I figured we had at least a few years before I would have to deliver the goods.
The day after our agreement, she woke up and immediately asked to go to the track to start training. We got there; she sized it up, and then asked,
"So, how many times do I have to run around this thing to finish a 5K?"
"13 times," I replied.
"Ugh".
After one walk lap and a 10-minute rest, she embarked on her second lap, which took about 4 minutes…and then another 15-minute rest. After four total laps (and about an hour later), she completed a full mile and was wiped out.
Fast forward to about three months later, April 19th 2008. Endurance Magazine was supporting a local race right down the street from our family’s home, the aptly named "Wondergirl 5K". On the way to the race — while being pushed in the double jogger because she was too tired to walk — Sophie asked if she could run the race with her mom.
By nature, I am a pretty pragmatic person. And I had to all but bite my tongue to stop from pointing out the myriad of practical reasons why she probably wouldn’t finish the race (for which she’d never trained). But she said she wanted to try – so I picked up my race bib, crossed out my name, and replaced it with hers. As she and her mom took off with the pack of over 1500 runners, her brother and I watched them keep a nice pace. They turned at the first corner, and we would not see them again until mile 2.5.
About 35 minutes later, in the distance, I spotted the only runner who dared to race in a summer dress and sandals. She looked uncomfortable, but not undetermined. And, just a few moments after that, Sophie and her mom finished their final turn and came running toward the finish line. I honestly couldn’t believe it. With many more people far behind her, Sophie dug deep and ran the last quarter mile with pride beaming in all directions. Her previously exhausted brother jumped in and ran faster than I’ve ever seen — with purpose – as he cleared the way down the finish chute to the cheers of all spectators.
And then, as she crossed the finish line, exhausted and yet with an amazing amount of energy left, she immediately looked up and asked, "Now (gasp) – can we go get my pet?"
First 5K – 6 years 6 months – In a time of 51 minutes 37 seconds. Wow!
Gear of choice: Sundress (two shoulder straps), mis-matched cotton socks, Keen Sport Sandals.
Hydrator: Water. Mostly dumped on her head. Like in the commercials.
Motto: "No pain. No pet."
Later in the month, I caught self-proclaimed Endurance Artist David Blaine attempting to hold his breath longer than anyone in history. He broke the record by holding his breath for 17.04.4 minutes on the Oprah Show (yes, I watch Oprah – but only so I can better understand my wife). After watching how he trains, you’d think he was getting ready for an Ironman triathlon – sleeping in a hypoxic tent…building up his lung capacity…eating food strictly for fuel. He says he does these amazing human stunts to discover himself, to empower himself – no magic here, just mind over mind discovery. What’s clear is that he lets no barriers distract him from cultivating his possibilities.
And finally, we had the genuine pleasure of meeting Kenyan runner, wife and mother of two, Winny Tonui. She blessed us with her participation at our Franklin 5000 5K race (she won by about two minutes) and shared with us her own story of self-empowerment (see cover feature inside). She is attracted to the possibility of running with passion for a living and believing in her heart – and mind – that anything is possible for her and her family. Winny’s life demonstrates what is possible when you proactively protect your possibilities.
Empowerment is something I typically think of as a gift or something that someone enables you to have, or something that you enable in someone else – but in observing these amazing people over the past month, I think that it’s more likely that it’s the ability to find and secure the place in you where only possibility resides – and nothing else. Our job is to simply remind you each month that it’s there, and that it’s yours.
Inspire. Perform. Endure.
PS – Oh – and immediately following the race, mom and daughter set out to the pet store – I had no idea what they would bring home. But, honestly, it could have been an elephant for all I cared. This proud dad is now the active owner of three mice: Sunshine, Silver Mist, and Chocolate.
