Encouragement Gets Us to the Finish Line

Participating in the 2011 ITU Long Course Duathlon in Zolfingen, Switzerland was a remarkable experience. It took me twelve hours to complete the 10k run, 150k bike,and 30k run over a course that is considered to be the toughest duathlon course in the world. Much of the event was held in pouring rain over flooded ground but the views were always breathtaking. I got to stand on the podium and take home a silver medal while also having the distinction of finishing last. Mine was the oldest female age group so I knew that was likely going in. There were a few men older than me competing but they were tough guys. Of course, there were also the elites on the course with their youth, stamina, and zeal not to mention 7 hour finishes. And then there were those who did not finish and even those who did not start that had intended to participate.

My teammates lined up at the finish line for me to run through like we were a basketball team. One of the men actually came out on the course and ran the last 3k with me to be sure I wouldn’t quit. Two local men speaking non-stop German pedaled their bikes behind me as well as it was part of their job to see that everyone got off the course safely.  This was my third Worlds competition so I knew what it was like to race with the best in the world and I had raced an Ironman distance in my past so I knew how to race long; but the course and the weather added to the challenge. So it meant a lot to feel part of a team that was rooting for me and happy for me.

I later met a few people who did not finish for one reason or another so I’m glad I had so much encouragement. Truth is, I was prepared to crawl over the line a la Julie Moss if necessary. It’s such a privilege to be part of Team USA that I needed to know I had done my best and I do. The disappointment of not finishing is one thing I was spared by making one muddy footprint after another.

What will stay with me is not my own effort but the efforts of so many to be encouraging. I rented a place to stay while in Zolfingen and my host as well as his father came out to cheer me on. The people from Zolfingen stood in the rain and cheered to the very end. It was a remarkable group of old couples, young children and all ages between. One of the organizers of the event gives roses to and greets every finisher personally. And, of course, Team USA, my friends and fellow sufferers who rallied for their weakest member were the ones who truly made my day.

Who could  you help today to reach their own finish line? Everyone can use a little encouragement just to get through an ordinary day. In fact, we may need encouragement the most to get through the routine parts of our lives. There really is no substitute for knowing someone else cares how we are doing. In families, listening can be the greatest key to making our loved ones know how valuable they are to us. When someone doesn't want to know how we are doing or about the important moments in our lives that relationship will wither. In Willard Harley Jr.'s book His Needs Her Needs, he lists communication as the first need of women with affection as number two. Sex and recreational companionship were number one and two for men to give you a bit of perspective as to how important communication is to women. Speaking kind, encouraging, admiring words to others is a soothing balm to people who are among Thoreau's "men who live lives of quiet desperation".

Don't just wait for the obvious bigger moments in a loved one's life although be there for those, too. Try to express gratefulness for little acts  that are helpful and admirable. Notice the strengths in other people and comment on them to the person and to others about them. Be generous in your appreciation of others. When you do this with your children you strengthen them against a thousand harmful ways of seeking approval and belonging. You solidify their sense of self. You also teach them to be a gracious and encouraging person and that in turn helps the world around them. Be an energy giver not an energy taker and you share in the success of those around you and you make more of a difference than you may ever realize.