Running a marathon is hard enough without also patting yourself on the back every step of the way.
The above is a link to an article written by Chad Stafko. I cannot even recall who originally shared this with me but my first reaction was...WTF? Is this guy trying to be funny or just a d-bag? In this little article, Mr. Stafko talks about runners and the stickers, tee shirts, etc. and equates that it is all done for show and attention.
Really? Really?? *shaking head*
I drive a Big Rev3 Blue station wagon adorned with stickers. Distances.
13.1 26.2 70.3 140.6
proudly displayed on the back of my ride.
I have a TRIATHLETE sticker. A Rev3 sticker. A RAGNAR 2013 sticker. I have a pink SWIM BIKE RUN sticker. A runnergirl sticker.
Are these stickers there for YOU?
No. They are there for me.
My little visual checklist of accomplishments.
I am very well aware that more than 50% of the population of the area where I live does not even KNOW what any of these stickers symbolize. Or what they mean to ME. Or the obstacles that I have overcome to earn those silly little stickers.
Or how these numbers have taught me that I am strong, I am determined and I have the ability to challenge myself push myself to reach goal after goal.
A paragraph from the article reads:
Why would someone want to get up at 5 a.m. and run 10 miles adorned with fluorescent tape to avoid being struck by someone who has the good sense to use a car for a 10-mile journey?
I have a theory. There is no more visible form of strenuous exercise than running. When runners are dashing down a street in the middle of town or through a subdivision, they know that every driver, every pedestrian, every leaf-raker and every person idly staring out a window can see them.
Let me assure you Mr. Stafko, I do not run for drivers, pedestrians, leaf-rakers or anyone watching out their window. I can also assure you that any of MY friends who run are not doing it for these reasons either.
I run for me. I run for the way it makes me feel. I run because it literally saved my life.
I run for my family. I run for my daughter. I run for my mother-in-law (who cannot).
I run for freedom. I run for therapy.
I run because I can.
Running has brought so much INTO my life, that I cannot imagine a life without running or moving.
Perhaps that writer was trying to be funny, sarcastic or controversial. Who knows what his intent is here...but should he be dissing on people who are UP and MOVING in a country were the obesity epidemic is out of control? Mr. Stafko, I encourage you to celebrate your support of the sedentary with that 0.0 sticker and rock on.
I will continue to adorn my ride with additional distances I conquer. 50k, 50 miles, 100 miles...you name it. I love seeing the stickers on cars out there. I love the camaraderie that is there in the running and triathlon community.
If you don't like it, that's ok too. Because I don't do it for you.
What are you thoughts?
Do you "stickerize"?
Brag away, I want to hear from you!
