“You only live once …

Last Sunday I passed one of my “bridge peeps” – the people who run, walk, or cycle the Beach Blvd. Bridge – she was walking towards me so we greeted one another. On my second lap, we again passed one another. I was ready to give my usual “second-pass” greeting, (“Have a great day!”) when she said, “You are my inspiration!” 

I responded, “And you are mine!”

She laughed and said, “We must be doing something right.”

Comedian Fred Allen once said, “You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough.”  I don’t know all their names but I been fortunate to come across many runners who “do it right.” Their impact has nothing to do with their great speed or phenomenal distances covered. Their impact has everything to do with their apparently trivial actions, words, or, even simply, their presence. They clearly demonstrate the value of this “one life.”

My brief intersection in with the lives of these few runners (and one spectator) added value to my life. I am so thankful our paths crossed.

Photo credit: c-ville.com 

“Running Man” – Who was this guy running shirtless, ½ naked, rain or shine, in snow and wind? I saw the “Running Man” at numerous races in Virginia and the D.C. area. And, while his lack of attire captured everyone’s attention, there was something else about him that was even more noteworthy – his smile. His smile spread from ear to ear. Running Man simply exuded joy, he obviously loved running – it showed and it was contagious! Just looking at him was a joyful experience, you simply had to smile.

Unfortunately I learned Running Man’s real name after he was hit by an SUV while running and died. His name was Philip Weber III and he died December 29, 2015. I also learned that when he wasn’t running, Philip was an enthusiastic reader and he had a passion for learning. A memorial 8K was run in his honor to benefit the Jefferson-Madison (Virginia) Regional Library ensuring the library can continue being the inspiration to others that it was to Philip, the Running Man.

Joy is a circle. When you do things from your soul, others are inspired let their joy flow, and once the joy begins to flow, even death can’t stop it.

“Teen Spirit”- In was raining in Johnson City, Illinois during an out-and-back road race. Cones separated the runners from the automobile traffic in adjacent lanes. I was running in a pack which included a teenage girl.

We were only a ½ mile into the race when a car slowed, and then crept along next to us, a window rolled down, and a woman called out.” Honey, get in the car!”
We kept running, looking at the car, slack-jawed in disbelief. Then the teenage girl yelled, “No!”
The man driving, (her father?) leaned across the woman and said yelled, “Get in the car NOW!”
“I’m running,” the teenager replied.
“But, honey,’ the woman pleaded, “it’s raining!”
The teen pumped her arms and surged ahead, “I’m running in the rain!”
The car pulled away. Teen spirit won.

Spirit matters, there will always be someone or some circumstance that could extinguish your dreams, your goals. Let your spirit run …even in the rain!

“Kick-Ass Couple”- There are no great metropolitan areas in Southern Illinois so all the races I ran while living there were between 50-maybe 200 runners tops, and you noticed everyone. There was this couple, a husband and wife, who stood out because they seemed to run every race. They were back-of-the-packers, and each time they chugged across the finish line together, they high-fived one another, grabbed a banana and some water, and then, after exchanging a few words with one or two people they left.

This happened for years until, finally, as they crossed the finish line, a race director announced their names and asked them to come forward for an award. I was as surprised as they were. The director said, “Now I know you don’t like public recognition but this will be short and sweet. This couple has run a 5K together every weekend for the past 5 years. (Applause) But that isn’t as amazing as the fact that they did while each was battling cancer. (Gasps) Therefore, on behalf of your running brothers and sisters, I present you with this Kick-Ass award!” (Cheers!!) 

Quiet determination is a strength. You don’t have to be loud, big, or bold to be Kick-Ass. 

“Little Cheerleader” – In 2019 I crossed the Acosta Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida, turned the corner and headed for the finish line. People lined the course yelling encouragement, “You’ve got this!” “You’re almost there!” “You rock!” “You get the beer!” For decades I have heard basically the same encouraging words over and over again. Until this race.

I saw a little girl jumping up and down along the sideline, waving her arms. She looked right at me and yelled the words I know were meant just for me, in that moment, “Run, lady, run!”

Encouragement is hearing a few choice words at just the right moment -- priceless!

"Make this one life you have a work of art. 

Live with class and you'll go out in style." 

- Dr. George Sheehan

*See also, Zip Rzeppa