Perseverance

We all know what perseverance means: a steady persistence in a course of action (watch out for this kicker--here is the part of the definition that is the most important): especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.

Now let me tell you about eight year old Lexi.  She happens to be the daughter of my neighbors, fellow Kinsgtowne Striders and friends, Kim and Ben.  A few weeks ago, Lexi was watching early coverage of the Tour De France and was so inspired that she told her mom, “I’m going out to train now"-- not that she was going to leisurely ride her bike like other 8 year olds, but that she was actually going to “train" for a race. And train she did!

Fast forward to last Sunday when she and her brother Brandon were competing in a kid’s triathlon. She had a big smile on her face as she came out of the pool and headed into the first transition to get her bike. She had a smile on her face when she left pedaling as hard and fast as she could.  But, then things went a little awry.  It seems that she lost a pedal on the bike course and couldn’t continue riding.  She was brought back in a police cruiser to the transition area.  She was clearly not the happiest of little girls and everyone would have understood if she had quit the race right then.  Pro triathletes have been known to quit races for less.  But did Lexi quit? Of course not!  She continued on so that when she crossed the finish line, she again had a big smile on her face.

Lexi persevered.  When she lost the pedal off her bike, she faced a significant difficulty and had to choose next if she would quit or if she would overcome the obstacle in front of her.  I know that if it had happened to me, I too would have been discouraged.  Yet, Lexi's story is being told now because she chose to continue the race, even though the going got tough.  Lexi persevered in a situation where most adults, let alone little girls, would have quit.   To put it simply, Lexi rocks!

In the past, when I've raced either half or full Ironman distances, I have written two words on my forearms so that I can see them as I bike-- Patience and Perseverance.  Now, thanks to Lexi's real life example, I have a mental picture of just how heroic those two words can be.