Dedication

We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon. ~Emil Zatopek

Dedication. I hear this word tossed around from time to time in various circles. But do any of us really know what it means? There are of course dictionaries in which we can look up the technical "definition" of the word, but beyond that do we really know what it means to be dedicated. Too be selflessly devoted to whatever it is we are aiming to achieve!
There are people in this world that I see as selflessly devoted or dedicated. Mothers and fathers come to mind almost instinctively. As parents we are dedicated to raising our children right. We raise our children to have a certain value set in which they display proper manners, know right from wrong. We feed them, clothe them and protect them as best we can. None of us had to become parents, we choose to become parents and in doing so, we unknowingly became dedicated for life, to our children.
A recent story on msnbc.com reminds me again that dedication can take many forms. This is a story about two men, two men who have transcended the sport of running. You can read the entire story here. These two men combined have run over 1,700 marathons. They have run together for the better part of 30 years and they are still going at it today. Not nearly as fast as they once were, they continue to push forward with the knowledge that in their hearts they know they can keep going. Now I know a lot of you are saying to yourself, whats the big deal...ya 1700 is a lot of marathons to have run but how can these two men be any different than anyone else? Did I happen to mention that Don is 90 and and Norm is 79!

Happy Running