Don't Quit my Friend, Keep Running.

As we exchanged texts today, I felt like you were at that point which is akin to my last 5 km of 42km marathon run.  As you already know, I am an intrepid runner and have done all kinds of distances.  The 42km run is the ultimate challenge to me.  Many times, I want to give up around the 37th kilometer. I start asking myself why I have to go through this distressing exercise all in the name of completing a race.  At that point in a race I am in a bend, I lack the capacity to look behind with clarity of mind and most importantly with tired legs, a heavy chest and breathless heart-pounding, I doubt if I can get over what's about to come.  Yet, before me is a short run that seems longer than what I have already covered. I am so miserable at that stage because I can’t see how I will do it.  I am about to give up but I comfort myself in knowing that people (especially those older than me) survive it every day.

It's a rare defining moment of the race where the weak ones give up and the unfaithful ones fall by the wayside. Gradually I plod on ignoring those by the roadside calling out my name in encouragement. Unknown to me is the importance of these last steps to the entire race and most significantly to the pain I have endured to get here.  It’s my mentality at this stage that matters not my legs, it doesn’t matter how fast I go or how much pain I feel but knowing and having hope that I will get there is what is carrying me.  I can hardly feel my feet.  The next time I look up it’s a kilometer to go and suddenly a new energy takes over with free abandon.  I am now on course to complete another race.  This last kilometer is full of happiness and fulfillment and I no longer feel the pain and usually I am running at a pace higher than what I have done in the last 15km.

To you my friend, I say buckle up. Be proud of what you have done so far. Don’t let these few painful kilometers ruin your entire 42km run.  They may seem boring, pointless or even torturous but keep running.  Run through them with the right mentality.  Don't forget to breathe. Don't forget to be happy. Don't ever doubt that you are on the right track. You are about to get to that last exciting kilometre and you will finish it with greatness.  However hopeless it may seem now, we have all been there before.  Bannister in his book, The Four-Minute Mile said “The particular target we seek may not be important.  But what is important is the profoundly satisfying effort in thought, feeling and hard work necessary to achieve this success.”


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is calling 'Mzungu' being Racist

My answer is No and this is why. I recently returned home for the summer holidays and literally walked into this row (some white friend is complaining about being called ‘Mzungu’) by kids and adults alike. Coincidentally, I had just returned form Accra in Ghana where I had spotted a letter to the press complaining about the same thing, - apparently someone was unhappy about being called Oburoni (the equivalent of Mzungu in East Africa). Anyone who has been to this dusty town of ours knows what this term means. The children will cry out ‘Mzungu how are you’, the vendors will call ‘Mzungu come and buy’ and some naughty men will propose to white women by calling them Mzungu (you must have heard of the local hit ‘Omwana w’omuzungu by the late Paul Kafeero’. Now, I do understand when white folks complain about a title that classifies them by race, especially when they come from the politically correct communities of UK that think that calling me black is being racist. I have been in t...
Read more

FORTY THINGS ABOUT ME

Turning 40 is meant to be a time to assess where you’ve got to in life and to measure your achievements against your youthful dreams. A lot is said about turning 40, some of it scary. I woke up today expecting to experience some of those things. It was like any other day in my life. I looked in the mirror; there were no obvious signs on my face to show that I am 40. My yesteryear memories began flashing before me as I recollected. I thought of how lucky I am today, to have the most amazing wife and be a proud father of four! While I was still contemplating my past, I thought of the 40 things that have come to define my life thus far. Even I found some of them interesting (and surprising): 1. I have no fear of caterpillars, chameleons or lizards but I would not sleep in a house with a snake that has not been killed. 2. And I’m neither superstitious nor religious! 3. My wife and mother are the most important women in my life. 4. I did not celebrate my birthday until I was 15, even then...
Read more

Getting Married in Buganda

On a number of occasions, friends and relatives have approached me to help them wade through the intricate matters of getting married in Buganda.   Overtime, I have noticed that many are not even aware of the simplest and obvious steps like initiating contact with the girl’s family.   I write this commentary to try and explain the simple but lengthy process of getting married in Buganda.    My post is not based on extensive research or study but rather on what I know and have learnt over the years.   A few years ago,   I used to officiate at Baganda traditional marriage ceremonies (okwanjula).  I wish to declare that I am not an expert on Buganda culture, nor am I a specialist in Buganda traditional marriages; my involvement at such a high level (omwogezi) was at best accidental, although we shall keep that story for another day. Initiating Contact Getting married in Buganda is seemingly easy but folks complicate it for unknown reasons.   Ye...
Read more