The Athlete in us all, 2

We are all athletes ... each and every one of us who runs (walks, swims, skates, cycles, rows, skis, bowls, hits, kicks, lifts or flips, and scores).

And the word athlete does have a romantic, albeit humble, origin. It is through this humility that true athleticism touches us all.

The Greek word 'athletes' originates from Latin, 'athleta' and 'athlein', which literally means to "compete for  a prize".

As runners we all compete for prizes and, in one sense, perhaps an ultimate prize. 

As we evolve as runners we learn that the prizes we compete for are no longer caught up in podiums and places; nor times and trophies; nor medals and muscles; nor ribbons, and ranting and raving. 

It is in the afterglow of competition and achievement, and on the reflection of a journey that started well before the starting line - somewhere way back with the courage to say I can and will do this - and on the journey, one step after another, km after km and week after week and year after year, we discover those prizes. Those prizes are the benefits of running and these are the essence and heart of why you and I run, and continue to run.

If competition is the basis for athleticism, we may ask the question 'what is competition?'. Competition isn't you and I competing (for places, or podiums, or prizes) against others, it is you and I competing with others, striving toward the same ends, striving together.
Occasionally I may finish in front of you, and (all) the others.

Competition comes form Latin 'competere', made up of com- (coming together) and -petere (to strive).

As athletes we strive together; we strive, not in rivalry or opposition, but as a community.

These are the people I coach.

Now...where did I put my drink?