I
played softball in middle school and junior high, I played it in summer
leagues, I played it with friends and family. However, I did know, even then,
that I liked to run. Throughout my softball days, there were parents and
coaches who told me I was the only one who ‘knew’ how to run to first base. I
thought they just meant I was gutsy enough to run out any meager hit – I had to
with my hitting skills. But I later realized that I was a bit unique in my
running skills – for one, I just looked different (better?) when I ran. That,
and my ability to catch any ball hit straight at my face, may have made me a
decent softball player. But when I started high school, at a very small school,
they didn’t offer softball as a sport. Only track & field in the spring.
The
main reason I gave track a shot was because my brother, who was one year ahead
of me in school, ran track. As a freshman he came home from every meet with one
appendage or another scraped, bruised or bleeding. You guessed it – he was a
hurdler who fell often. But he still really enjoyed the sport. So the next
year, I gave it a try. And we both became sprinters. Track (and running in
general) ultimately ended up being my sport of choice. But every time I talk
about those early days I hear Bruce Springsteen singing – ‘Glory Days…’ so I
don’t need to go there too often.
The
rest, as they say, is history. I never looked back after my very first track
meet in high school. Some of my best high school friendships came as a result
of track. I chose my college partly based on track and I’m writing this column
today because back in 1983, I decided to become a runner. In fact much of my
life today revolves around running, and while my race distances have increased
at about the same rate my speed has decreased throughout the years, I’m very
grateful for the opportunities I’ve had due to my interest in and love of
running.
I
recently interviewed Kara (Parker) Peterson about this year’s Grand Old Day On
the Go race. Many of you may remember Kara as
an outstanding young runner – she’s still on top of the Minnesota all-time 5K
list for women under 20. In 1986, the summer before her junior year of high
school, she ran Hennepin-Lake Classic in 17:15, putting her in the record books
for 16 years and counting. She was just 16 years old at the time.
But
now, while she still runs often and even competes once in awhile, Kara’s new
‘love’ is inline skating. And, while she says she’s a bit behind her
competitors because she took it up so late in life, she’s been at or near the
top of many races in her four short years of competing. She won the Grand Old
Day On the Go 8K in June – for the third consecutive year. All because she
bought her first pair of inline skates during college and really enjoyed the
experience of inline skating. She credits her running background with giving
her the physical strength she now needs for inline skate races.
I
also know someone who swears he probably would not have gone to college if it
hadn’t been for his running skills. He went on to become a nine-time
All-American and is now successful in the insurance industry. It’s funny where
life takes you.
Obviously,
it’s not just the decision to run or not to run that changes your life. As I
look back on my life so far, there are many, many decisions I’ve made that, if
I had gone the other way, could have easily changed where and who I am today.
But looking back should just be to reflect on experiences, not to analyze and
second-guess every decision made. Everything that happens in life makes us the
people we are today.
There
was a long period in my life where I wanted nothing more than to be a
sportscaster. Looking back I wonder if I couldn’t have given today’s ‘stars’ –
Michelle Tafoya, Hannah Storm or Carol Lewis – a run for their money? But it just
doesn’t matter – I’m happy with the route I chose. And choices are what life is
– or should be – all about.
I
was running with a friend past a girls’ softball game the other day and I
couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia – not regret – just fond memories
of the fun days spent on softball fields in what feels like another life.
Watching them play got me thinking. And running gives you plenty of time to
think – about your past, present or future.
