Losing Gracefully

What is racing if not a gamble?  We control as many factors as we can including training, attire, routine, sleep and nutrition but in the end we roll the dice and try our chances.  Sometimes we make ourselves vulnerable and fail.  It leaves us feeling ashamed and bitter.  That's the down side of the gamble, when things don't go as planned.  Right now in Memphis, TN a lot of runners are feeling cheated by things that are out of their control (if you haven't heard the marathon was just cancelled due to weather.)  The big question is...What's next?

Throughout my years as a competitive runner I have set many goals and one thing that I am very accustomed to is Failure.  Falling short is what we do.  We push are bodies as far and as hard as they will go and eventually they fail us.  Every once in a while the dice roll the right way and we find fulfillment, but more often than not we are found wanting.  The few glimpses of success is what keeps us coming back for more like legitimate junkies.  Tomorrow we will lace up the shoes again and seek a new adventure.  We miss the mark for reasons out or our control.  Weather might even keep us from ever reaching the start line. But we will roll the dice again!

You don't have to like failure, but you have to learn to accept it.  Complaining now will not help you the next time you're facing the giant.  It's time to learn any lessons that might come from your current set back and scan the horizon for the next obstacle.  Tomorrow I plan to shrug off any cancelled expectations and go out for a run.