Reflection
While watching the Tokyo Olympics the other day, I began to reminisce…
Several years ago, I competed in a triathlon that was hosted by a neighboring community.
Several years ago means I was much younger than I am now.
It also means I had a decent chance at winning the race.
I’ll never forget that feeling I had as I entered the football stadium at the end of my race.
I was in the lead.
Then, I peered over my right shoulder and saw no one behind me.
I was about to win a triathlon for the very first time.
I had 400 meters to go.
The adrenaline was flowing.
The people standing near the finish line were hollering, screaming, and shouting words of encouragement as I rounded the final turn towards the finish line.
I couldn’t help but pick up my pace.
I was about to be a champion.
I began to sprint towards the tape.
It’s important to note that I hadn’t sprinted in years.
Then it happened.
I popped my hamstring with about twenty-five meters left in the race.
I still won, but I grimaced in pain as I limped awkwardly across the finish line.
As if that wasn’t enough deflating energy for my ego to absorb, the people that were yelling and cheering were parents of little kids who were competing in a mini-triathlon on the infield of the stadium.
I won, I hurt myself, I limped, and no one noticed and no one cared.
To pour a bit more salt on my already painful wound, the tournament director accused me of cheating and, at first, refused to give me my medal. Luckily, he found out that a police officer had erroneously sent me and another bike rider in the wrong direction during the early stages of the bike leg. I was pi$$ed about the entire situation, refused the medal, climbed in my truck, and drove home.
I had fully experienced the thrill of victory and agony of defeat all in a matter of minutes.
Sometimes we are riding the wave.
Sometimes we get pummeled by the wave.
Real Life
The 2020 Olympics finally ended…and yes, we are more than halfway through 2021.
It seems only fitting that the 2020 Olympics were still called the 2020 Olympics, even though they took place in 2021.
What a mixed-up mess the last eighteen months have been.
Anyway…
A week ago, we had a local guy competing for the gold medal in the men’s 800-meter run.
Clayton Murphy from New Madison, Ohio, about thirty minutes from us, was on the world stage and one of the favorites to bring home the gold medal.
He had won a bronze medal in the 2016 Olympics.
I watched the race in great anticipation, and then my spirit began to slowly and agonizingly deflate.
It was obvious that Clayton was struggling.
Early in the race, he got tangled up with another runner, which seemed to throw him out of stride, and he never recovered.
He finished last.
Even though there were only eight runners, and he could claim he was the eighth fasted 800-meter runner in the world, he was noticeably devastated and disappointed.
In an interview a couple of days after the race, Murphy told the reporter that he would be back in 2024.
Moral of this story…
Is there one?
You tell me.
Reread the opening quote.
Whatever you are facing…
- Don’t give up
- Keep moving forward and pray
- Keep getting stronger and pray
- Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 until you cross the finish line onto the streets of gold where there are no disappointments, broken egos, or torn hamstrings. 🙂
Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
