Why do I run?
I'm the last man on the Arcata High cross country team.
I was third to last in our league meet.
My brother got 12th.
I run for the glory.
I was a sophomore in high school toying around with cross country and floating between the 7th and 9th man on our team. I wasn't exceptional and I am not sure how serious I took running at the time but I came to practice each day and did my job and had a lot of fun. The above quote is from an old Nike ad poster back in the mid 90's that was in my PE teachers office. I have remembered it ever since and have often looked for a remake of it to hang in my own office. It spoke to me then and still does to this day. If I remember right it was a picture of a muddied up kid in his cross country uniform (maybe wearing glasses) looking like he just ran a brutal race in the rain with the above quote on it. I never felt I related the kid on a level of running ability but I instantly related to the idea of running for the glory. Ironically, there is usually no glory in running. Even if you are the best in the world you won't be as well known as an athlete in a mainstream sport such as football or basketball. The glory is what you make it. The glory is improving, being part of something, working hard for yourself and to help your team. The glory is being filthy, muddy, soaking with sweat and having just run your best race. It is being exhausted standing around with your teammates chugging water or gatorade comparing times, places, and letting your parents take pictures of you. The glory is what you make of it so make it good.
I'm the last man on the Arcata High cross country team.
I was third to last in our league meet.
My brother got 12th.
I run for the glory.
I was a sophomore in high school toying around with cross country and floating between the 7th and 9th man on our team. I wasn't exceptional and I am not sure how serious I took running at the time but I came to practice each day and did my job and had a lot of fun. The above quote is from an old Nike ad poster back in the mid 90's that was in my PE teachers office. I have remembered it ever since and have often looked for a remake of it to hang in my own office. It spoke to me then and still does to this day. If I remember right it was a picture of a muddied up kid in his cross country uniform (maybe wearing glasses) looking like he just ran a brutal race in the rain with the above quote on it. I never felt I related the kid on a level of running ability but I instantly related to the idea of running for the glory. Ironically, there is usually no glory in running. Even if you are the best in the world you won't be as well known as an athlete in a mainstream sport such as football or basketball. The glory is what you make it. The glory is improving, being part of something, working hard for yourself and to help your team. The glory is being filthy, muddy, soaking with sweat and having just run your best race. It is being exhausted standing around with your teammates chugging water or gatorade comparing times, places, and letting your parents take pictures of you. The glory is what you make of it so make it good.