I’m Awesome

An epiphany is described by Webster’s Dictionary as “a sudden, intuitive perception of insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.” I lived this exact definition today. As I was jamming threw the backstretch of the Tri 4 Real 10K run course, I was feeling really good about myself (surprise!). I was singing my favorite song, “I’m Awesome,” in my head, and to quote the singer of the song, was running “with an ego bigger than Tim Duncan.” (listen to it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVcfRDxKUuI). Although that moment did have an “intuitive perception of reality,” it was far from “sudden.” Therefore, this was not my epiphany. My epiphany came over two hours after I finished the race. My “sudden insight into the essential meaning of something” came as I watched first hand as two young ladies finished their goal for that given day, crossing the finish line of an Olympic distance triathlon. The race was over, most of the awards were given out, and many of the bikes had been cleared from the racks. Yet, two more figures emerged from the dusty trails of Rancho Seco. Two women that had pushed farther than they ever had in a triathlon, just because they wanted to be better. Better than themselves a month or year ago, better than 90% of women their age, and better than the “awesome” gentlemen, like me, that had blistering times despite carrying their large egos over the roughly 40 mile course. There was no need for outward recognition or accolades from their peers, they were just out there to make themselves feel awesome, period! And they did! Moments after watching Anne glide across the finish grinning from ear to ear, I stood there with Gary and Julie at the edge of the fields watching Isaac escort his wife over the final section of dirt, and I had my epiphany. I’m NOT awesome. People like Anne and Michelle are awesome. People that don’t care who is watching, and don’t care who beats them. People that are out there because they savor an honest to goodness challenge and find simple pleasure in swimming, running, and riding their way to the finish line. People that other people WANT to clap for. People that make the Isaac Bandas and Josh Errecarts of the world shut up, sit down, and smile. They did what many others cannot, they took a risk. They stepped outside their comfort zone, and put it all on the table. And they succeeded. Watching this was a “simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience” for me that initiated “a sudden, intuitive perception of insight into the reality,” that we have some pretty AWESOME people in the gO! Running Group. Today it was Anne and Michelle, tomorrow it will be someone else. Who’s next?
Congrats to Anne, Michelle, Gary, Mary, Tim, Jamie, Isaac, Christine, Julie, Joe, and myself for a job well done this weekend! There is no better feeling than being part of the gO! Team as we support each other through these silly things we do! We’re awesome!