The marathon runner

   A little story about believing in yourself and running your own race in life.

Over a hill and far away, there lived a brilliant marathon runner. He was the fastest, most tireless and most consistent runner that the people had ever seen. He had not lost a single race for over 3 years and everyone was desperate to find out his secrets to success. How could someone succeed so many times without being beaten? How could someone have such consistent results? And why did he always run with a nonchalant smile on his face when all the other competitors either looked like they had been dragged through the race against their will, or that they were desperate to beat their opponents? Well, you are in luck, because a young boy, desperate to become like his hero asked him one day after the race

     “What is your secret to becoming so successful? How come you are so fast and have such endurance?”

    To which the marathon runner replied,

     “When I was younger like you, I used to race my opponents and try to go faster than them. I would always be concerned about looking greater than them, at never being overtaken.”

     “But isn’t that what racing is all about?”

     “Ah”, replied the marathon runner, “The thing is, I do not race to beat anyone else anymore. I do not mind if anyone overtakes me, or if my pace is slower than someone else’s. I just race my own race. I know my pace, I know what I have worked for, and I trust in my process that it is enough. That I have done enough. I also don’t care much about the goal anymore.”     “What do you mean you don’t care about the goal anymore? How can you not care about the goal? The end of the race? Where people will cheer you for coming first?”

     “When I used to race against others, I would change my pace whenever someone was trying to overtake me, or get caught up thinking about the snide remarks they would hurl at me to make me slow down. I would also lose motivation if the goal seemed too far and I was getting tired. But now, I just focus on my breathing, the sounds of my footfalls and of those that cheer me along the way. I find little joys along the paths, like flowers or trees, and I enjoy the beauty of the entire race, and not just the end.”

     The marathon runner laughed.

     “I know it seems paradoxical that the moment I decide not to race others, I win every time, but the thing is, most people, my younger self included, do not realise how great they actually are if they just let themselves be themselves.”

     And with that, the marathon runner gave a chuckle, turned gracefully on the spot and ran onwards into the distance, his hair flying free behind him.