Good Sports

by Budd Glassberg

Reprinted with permission from the Zionsville Times Sentinel on May 3, 2006

The Sky is the Limit

“Wisdom may be admired. But what really inspires mankind, what quickens the pulse and lifts the spirits, is the opposite: a display of magnificent, reckless impetuosity. It's not wisdom that wins the Victoria Cross. It's the insane dash against impossible odds. It's not wisdom that paints the Mona Lisa. Wise people wouldn't go into the arts in the first place. It's not wisdom that compels people to push themselves to the limits of endurance in order to realize some mad dream. It's a glorious perversity deep in their souls, it is uncontrollable passion, and the existential urge to taste danger before they die.” - unknown

Attaining a difficult goal can be at once a blessing and a curse. Surely the satisfaction of meeting one’s objective is a boost to his self esteem. Often, though, the contentment in the accomplishment carries with it baggage that might prevent the person from attainment of even greater heights. With the Anti-Mini and that other race in downtown Indy coming up this Saturday, thousands of runners and walkers will reach the pinnacle of their exercise endurance for the year. For many of them, this is the end of longer runs training for the 13.1 mile distance. After the goal is achieved, they will take some time off and then go back to minimal training until it is time to train for next year’s anti or mini.

Instead of viewing the upcoming run as the peak, I suggest trying to look at it with a different paradigm. Suppose this Saturday’s effort is seen as a training run for a longer and more difficult goal. One outcome of such a supposition presents, in my experience, a more relaxed and enjoyable event. Another result of this kind of thinking is the understanding we get that we are all capable of doing more than we previously believed.

Thirteen point one miles of running or walking is a monumental accomplishment. There is no need to go further for health reasons. Doing more is for our psyche. The more we can push through self assigned barriers, the more we will attempt the difficult in all aspects of our lives, not just in our exercise. I recommend doing this often. You never know when life will deal you what looks to be an insurmountable challenge. If you challenge yourself often enough, you will be prepared for such a task.

But where will it all stop? When does one cross over from the healthy goal to the obsessive and compulsive behavior that others find both freakish and detrimental? This column has often honored endurance athletes whom many would categorize as insane, while others find their accomplishments to be inspirational. For some, 13.1 miles already seems excessive, while others might draw the line at the marathon distance. For a few, there are no limits. Each accomplishment is but a stepping stone to the next plateau.

While not advocating ultra distances per se, I am asking each athlete to look beyond their own comfort level and seek that which they have not yet done. Going into your own personal “no mans land” will demonstrate to you that your previously perceived limits were not accurate. A step into the unknown also invites adventure into your routine. It is similar to a jump start in your “life as usual”. This kind of kick in the pants excitement will breed more quests into the unfamiliar.

I hope to see many of you at the Anti-Mini this Saturday (7:25 AM, entrance to Nancy Burton Memorial Park, park behind the Town Hall and walk ½ mile south on the Rail Trail to the start, bring your own refreshments, only one porta-potty, no fee, no registration needed, run or walk either 3.1, 6.2, 9.3 or 13.1 miles, and it will be muddy). It would be good for you to use this event as a stepping stone for some future event even more difficult. That goes for you other Mini people too.

Budd Glassberg is a resident of Zionsville who is active in the local running community. Visit www.runz.com for reprints of all his columns. You can reach him by email at budd@runz.com.