Runners and triathletes are generally a very giving lot.
We acknowledge the importance of not only putting our best foot forward each and every day, but also in motivating others to achieve the very best that they can on a daily basis. This is the cornerstone of why I started this blog – so that we can share ideas and motivation to ensure a more healthy and productive human race.
Volunteering and helping out (formally and informally) is ingrained in our psyche. We know that without help it is very rare that any of us will achieve our goals or our true potential.
Sure there have been plenty of times when I have set out on my own on long and lonely long runs of 4 hours and more relying only on myself to get me home.
I have found these good for building self reliance and a deep understanding of where you truly need to go inside your own head to get through the journey. Needless to say such runs are just as happily completed when you know that there is someone who will be on hand at an aide station to will you on your way or provide you with the cup of soup and bread that you have been craving for the last 25km.
Saying thank you to volunteers is important as they come from all walks of life and give so much time to the community, not only in running, but in so many different aspects of life.
I do some work with the Centre for Volunteering, who run the New South Wales ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’. Nominations for this year’s award close at the end of September and the award ceremony will be held in December. Have a look at the link above and acknowledge the good work that a friend, neighbour, colleague, family member or just some random stranger is doing.
That lifesaver who pulled you out of that rip, that SES member who came and helped you in a storm crisis, that old fella who poured a welcome drum of ice over your head in a 100km bush run did it not because they seek recognition, but BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
You see without the quiet achievers, loud achievers would be nothing.
Keep running – and improving the lives of others. – Sean Muller
since entering the online running community, I realised how caring and nurturing other runners can be to newbies. I discovered this even more irl during the Adelaide Marathon where volunteers cheered and encouraged us on.
ReplyDeleteWhat was in it for them? nothing!
Yes there's such a fantastic atmosphere of helping each other out.
I just love that.
This and your last entry sort of talk about that. It takes a lot of discipline to do distance running and that discipline often filters out into other aspects of our lives and society in general benefits.
Although I'm sure this doesn't only apply to runners :)