If you’re the kind of person who
cultivates Try in your life, you probably find inspiration in the stories of
others. And once you start looking, you discover there are stories of Try all
around us. Recently I happened on a running blog with a story I found so moving that I wanted to share it with all of you.
The first-person account of Mike
Cassidy, a runner in this year’s New York Marathon, the story starts out on a
familiar note. Who among us hasn’t taken on a tough challenge, only to find
ourselves with confidence faltering midstream? Although Mike is a seasoned
marathoner and has trained hard, he finds himself feeling subpar this time out,
and is soon struggling just to keep going against the chill wind.
It’s when he catches up to his hero,
legendary runner Meb Keflezighi, that
the story becomes truly extraordinary.
Mike
realizes that his idol, too, is struggling to keep going after a spate of
recent injuries. The vision of himself blazing past one of the best marathoners
of all time fleetingly crosses his mind, but the way the race actually played
out was even more amazing. Check out the photograph and you’ll see what I mean.
But this
isn’t just a story about never giving up. Meb’s humility and spirit of
generosity demonstrate what it means to be a hero. Beyond that, Mike discovers
that he’s not only competing for himself. “In
striving to be our best,” he realizes, “we could bring out the best in
others.” His story of competing with
heart gives added meaning to what Try is all about.
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