Giving up – not an Option

Today I was on the track by 6:30 AM. But I have to be honest, the last few days my body is aching, my legs are sore and I’ve been trying to find excuses and reasons to get out of running this 800 in two weeks. 

Let me tell you, I have a list of a great excuses. I mean we could always start with coronavirus, right? Then there is old, I don’t have enough time. Or I have an injury. Or A bunch of other plausible excuses. 

Last night as I’m contemplating all of this, I went to tuck in Madison into bed. She was already asleep but that kid never stops to amaze me. She has set several goals for herself and she’s always posting motivational reminders around her room.

Today it was a poster from last year‘s AAU Junior Olympics with his years date circled. Next to that was her shirt that says “Daddy is my Superhero”.  at that moment I thought to myself no quitting now. I kissed her on the forehead and then I went got my gear ready for working out in the morning. 

As I laid in bed thinking, my mind went back to Madison’s regional track meet last year in Wisconsin. Madison had not been beaten all year in the 800 or the 1500. In fact she set Nebraska Association records in both of those events.  In her first event, the 800 she was defeated by a girl from Iowa by the name of Sarah. Madison was determined to do better in the 1500 the next day. At the starting line, Madison identified where Sarah was at for race and you could she in Madison’s eyes she was fired up to compete. As the gun went off Sarah and Madison jumped out to the front of the pack. Coming around the first turn, Sarah accidentally stepped on Madison’s foot. Madison crash down on the track.   In my mind I was crushed for her, I thought she would lay there and cry. What seemed like an eternity in my mind but was really just a blink of an eye, Madison jumped up and probably ran the best race of her life to come in second place. She cross the finish line with bloody knees and bloody elbows.  After the race I asked her what motivated you to get back up? She said daddy “ I could not win if I did not get up and finish the race” 

How true is that in sports or in life, you can’t win if you don’t get back up after getting knocked down. You can’t win,  if you quit before you even start.

Giving up – not option!!!!!