EVERY RACE IS DIFFERENT AND SO IS THE RACE OF LIFE!

3^rd May 2019

By Meritaton Kirigha

Image Credit: https://tinyurl.com/y4rx82nh

A friend of mine called K introduced me to running official races a year ago. Previously, I enjoyed jogging for leisure but hadn’t quite thought of participating in such races. I always thought that they were too competitive, and I probably couldn’t handle the pressure that comes with it.

K however, convinced me that I could certainly make it since I had been working out regularly in the gym.

So, I decided to give it a try and I signed up for a 10km race. On the day of the race, there was a positive vibe at the beginning of the race with thousands of people from different races, countries and regions. Everyone looked excited, taking pictures, selfies, some people singing, and I also joined in and took pictures and selfies too, to remember this day, more especially because it was my first ‘legit’ race!

When the whistle for the start of the race blew, we all put our best foot forward and started the race. Along the way, there were Marshalls and volunteers who cheered us on including young children and their siblings or parents who woke up early that morning just to stand by the street and cheer the runner’s past. I found that very encouraging! At some point, they stretch out their hands, to give you a pat, as you run past them!

It was my first race and I had a water bladder on my back but after a few kilometers, I just regretted carrying it! It slowed me down and I felt that it was heavy, and I obviously couldn’t finish all the water in the 1liter bladder! So, I learnt my first lesson there- don’t carry a bladder next time, just use the water at the watering points! After that, I actually read an article on the net that talked about running and gave people tips on how to run better each time. One of the things that stood out was this lesson I’d just learnt. It said, “have you ever seen an athlete finish a world marathon with a bladder on their back?”  I actually laughed at myself and took a mental note for the next time!

After this, I went for more races and I have done 5 races to date! Well, that is not many compared to other people and of course serious athletes who have been running, practically all their lives. Therefore, I am not comparing myself to anyone but what I want to highlight are the lessons that I have learnt in each race and to draw parallels at how these lessons are similar to the ones we learn in life or perhaps the important lessons they teach us.

Each race has been different in many ways.

•      The course or track- sometimes it’s been mostly a road race. Other times, it has had several ascents and descents. I find the hills quite difficult for me, but I enjoy the downslopes because it helps me ‘regain my lost energy’. On one occasion though, it had rained the previous night and we ran through a muddy rough road.
•      My form- How I have trained prior to the race, my diet and sometimes how much rest I had before the race seemed to always impact my performance on the day of the race.
•      The weather- Almost all races start quite early in the day, like between 6.30 am and 8.00 am. Some months can be quite chilly, and my body takes time to get warm and I have felt that slow me a bit sometimes, especially in the first few kilometers.

I could go on about the many ways in which the races are different, but the point is that each race is not always the same and I learn a different lesson each time and that enables me to improve my performance the next time.

Life is so similar in many ways. The race here could represent circumstances that we find ourselves in, challenges we face, assignments we have to do or perhaps the very nature of our jobs.

Our attitude towards these situations and how we handle them determines how we finish our individual races in life. I have learnt to have fun as I run and focus on the positives and towards finishing well. This makes me enjoy the races in spite of the difficulties or challenges that come with each competition.

In the same vein, whatever kind of ‘race’ you find yourself in, be optimistic, look out for the positive aspects and the lessons that you’re learning and that will motivate you towards your finish! Always remember that you may face the same situation twice or more, but it will most likely give you a different experience each time.

May the races you run in your life bring you joy and inspiration!