Good Sports

by Budd Glassberg

Reprinted with permission from the Zionsville Times Sentinel on October 18, 2006

Getting the Most with What They Were Given

Both of them endured the entire ZMS cross-country season completing every meet they ran in as the final finisher. Even the large invitational races with well over 100 participants, Jamie Koontz and Heidi Schroeder, finishing the boys and girls race respectively, gave notice to the spectators that the races were completed. Neither runner showed any signs of quitting throughout the season. Instead, they improved each week. As their coach, I noticed enhanced endurance, gradual quickening of the pace and toughening of their spirit. Despite their improving times, neither runner had come close to approaching another runner in a race. How would they ever know how they might run in close competition?

We are each blessed with different skills and abilities. Some bodies are made for sprinting, with a preponderance of fast twitch muscles. Others may find their bodies are more inclined to long slow distances. Still others are more adept at contact sports. Whatever the body type we are given, the competitive spirit in us may not emerge unless circumstances arise to test ourselves. The final meet in our cross-country season is the intersquad Indiana Derby. Those who have seen this unique event can bear witness to its ability to even the playing field among our ZMS athletes. Throughout the season, Coach Andy Sheff kept detailed records of each of our runner’s times on our 3-kilometer home course. Each runner’s best time for the season is then used to give that runner his or her starting time in the derby. The slowest “best time” starts first. Each runner begins in the reverse order of their best finishes until the fastest runner begins last. With this type of staggering of the runners, if each runner runs exactly his or her best time, all runners will finish at the very same time in a dead heat.

I had to miss the derby this year. I was at all of the other races to cheer on all of the Zionsville runners. I often finished up running with Heidi in the girls races and Jamie in the boys races. I really wanted to be at the derby to see them compete on a level playing field. Would they push themselves to place ahead of others or would they be satisfied with finishing in the back of the pack?

There is a certain thrill that comes with leading a race. It is difficult to describe, but it is does not come about without a certain amount of tension. In distance running there is ample time for negative thoughts to enter your mind. Am I pushing too hard too soon? Can I hold on to this pace? Is someone gaining on me? What if I fall? These thoughts and more can defeat the runner. The competitor is able to hold these feelings in his or her mind while at the same time pushing more positive thoughts to the fore. For the true competitor, the glory of a race well run trumps the exhausted body and pessimistic thoughts.

Though I was not there to see it, I am certain that Jamie Koontz felt the glory of winning the 2006 Indiana Derby while bettering his best time by almost two minutes. I can imagine the intensity of his sprint when he knew that the race was his. It was, I’m sure, a moment to cherish. It had to bring a lump to the throat of every spectator lining the finish line who had ever witnessed any of Jamie’s races over the past two years. It was a victory for Jamie’s parents, grandparents and siblings who have come to each of his races and supported his athleticism. It was a triumph of the soul within. He was making the most of the body he was given and showed the competitive spirit of a Lance Armstong.

It pleases me to no end to tell you that the next runner to finish was none other than Heidi Schroeder, our first female to finish. Despite the wet and cold conditions, she set a personal best by thirty-five seconds. This sweet and friendly girl has no quit in her makeup. Her bright and cheerful disposition is to be envied. I wish I could have seen the smile on her face as she finished. When given a chance to compete, she showed the metal of a champion. Her mother and father, who had come to all of her races, must have been so proud.

Seeing the results of the derby on my return to Zionsville, I could not hold back the tears. Jamie and Heidi had earned their moments in the sun. It was right and magnificent that they receive the spoils of their victories. Coach Glassberg is proud of all of the ZMS runners. Each of them deserves a column with their own battles they’ve won. Today’s column celebrates two of the very finest runners I have known.

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.