Every race teaches us something. Most races teach me many things.
Yesterday, I learned what it is like to drop out of a marathon.
I am still processing everything that happened, and working out the lessons that can be gained. So far:
- I learned that you can make a very smart decision for very good reasons and still regret the outcome. You can then consider every other outcome that was possible on that day, and realize they’d all have been met with regret.
- I learned that I can put on a brave face and celebrate the successes of others.
- I learned that non-runners “get it” a lot more than I ever gave credit for. In fact, some of them get it better than some runners.
- I learned that the runners who have been through it came out stronger because of it – even if they don’t notice that side effect for themselves. They are then quick to step up and say, “hey, I did that that. I know it kinda sucks, but know you’ll be okay.”
I know that it is only really a big deal to me, and that soon, it won’t even matter. I know that one day someone will drop out of a race, and I will be able to say, hey, you’re not alone, I’ve done that too.
Besides, if every race were a PB, it would be kind of predictable and boring, wouldn’t it? As Tom Krause once said, “There are no failures – just experiences and your reactions to them.”
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