30 December 2007
My Story….”Persistence, pass it on!”
Posted by Shirl Kohl-Martin under: Shirl Kohl-Martin .
The following message is the note I submitted to the 5/3 River Bank Run committee for the Road Warrior application. I hope it is inspiring to you, no matter what race you may be facing.
Persistence…………….pass it on!
In 1997, I trained to run my first 25k River Bank Run. However, I had not trained for the experience I would have on race day.
When I approached mile 14, I knew I would not be completing the race in three hours and I would not receive a medal for my efforts. Disappointed, I stopped running and began walking. Then I remembered why I was running: For personal challenge and in memory of my daughter. So, I began to run again. I thanked the remaining spectators and my “personal police escort” that were cheering me on.
A fellow runner was walking on the side of the road, wearing her medal and cheering me on. I thanked her and replied, “Yes, but I will not receive a medal”. She stopped me and asked, “Why won’t you receive a medal”? I explained, “Because I had not completed the run in three hours”. She took her medal off and placed it around my neck and said, “You deserve this medal, go finish the race”. And returned to the side of the road. I attempted to give it back to her and she responded, “go finish the race”. To this day, I want to thank her. I would tell her that because of her kindness, I did in fact continue to be a “runner”. I realized that no matter what pace I achieved, I was a runner and a finisher. And in December 1998, I ran and finished my first marathon.
I have always wanted to do the River Bank Run again. 2008 is the year! Only this time I want to pass my medal on to a fellow runner whom may not receive his/her medal due to time limits. I want to encourage and motivate other fellow runners!
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I look forward to chatting with you on-line, seeing you at the race as a spectator, fellow runner or at the end of the race. Who knows, maybe YOU will be the one person I pass my medal to and hopefully it will encourage YOU to persevere in a time of physical and mental challenge!
Good Luck to all and Happy New Year! 2008, is going to be GREAT!
Shirl Kohl-Martin
2 Comments so far...
Shelly Says:
31 December 2007 at 2:34 pm.
Shirl–you are going to serve as a fantastic inspiration to others out there, just as your nameless woman in your story did for you. I’m glad you are a Road Warrior–you will serve other runners well! I told some of my fellow running moms your story after we’d first met–I think your motivation behind this is fantastic! –Shelly
Bob Estes Says:
1 January 2008 at 6:17 pm.
Shirl, that is a great story. Thanks for sharing it and giving back.