The 1972 Olympic Games saw one of history’s most iconic come-from-behind races. Watch it again today and be inspired by Dave Wottle. (The 800 meter race is twice around the track.)
The lesson? When it seems you are too far behind. When it looks like every other writer already knows everything. When you probably should just give up. Keep running. Keep working at your craft.
Every writer you know or admire started at the beginning. Just like you.
Don’t know how to pull it off
from so very far behind.
The damning pain, the bloody cough,
the despair that plays upon my mind,
and what would be the point of it,
why should I even try
when others say it’s time to quit,
to just give in and die?
I ask this question to the night
and quiet comes the answer:
“My hands formed you for this fight,
to show My world that even cancer
don’t mean nuthin’, not a thing,
in the Service of the King.”
Andrew. No words. Can I put this one out there?
You sure can, Sy.
You bless my heart, Andrew! May God bless yours as well!
Susan, thank you so much!
I am blessed, though it sometimes feels, in the words of Sheldon Vanauken, a severe mercy.
Just what I needed today. Thank you!
Saw it. I was a runner back then. Ran in Al’s race in Milwaukee (anyone else?) when I was older. Seems like KIDS ran beside, then past me(!).
Here’s a thought for you, Andrew.
Alone, in early morning run?
Alone, the darkness bare enough
for light to see my way?
Yes, dark that way, and steep
that road,
But lessons learned as God
unfolds
His earthly and Hs heav’nly goal–
to custom draft my light to shine
for those who run the race behind.
A friend? I knew not that he knew or cared
that mornings found me on a road,
And Stranger? Words of greeting, scrarce
Were e’er exchanged. Yet
he did note my dogged pace.
They blessed me for the ‘xample set.
Gordon, I’m simply overwhelmed by the grace of your poem, and your kindness in taking the time and thought to write it.
I, and my wife, treasure this.
Thank you.
I’m very glad. Your poem led me to my response.
I’m very glad, Andrew.
Your poem led directly to mine.
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!
Just what I needed this week!
You always know just the right stories to post.
And the timing…I can’t even…
Thank you.
In the ole days… I was a runner and I loved it!!!
This is very good!!! Thank you for sharing it!!!
I ran track then and watched and cheered for Wottle. It was the greatest comeback in track history.
Steve, I needed this. “The lesson? When it seems you are too far behind. When it looks like every other writer already knows everything. When you probably should just give up. Keep running. Keep working at your craft.” Thank you and God Bless.
Steve (and Andrew, and all),
As an old salesman once said, “The best salesman is the one who has been told ‘no’ the most times.”
A recent remark by a prominent American is apropos as well, and inspires in its simplicity:
“If I give you one message to hold in your hearts today, it’s this: treat the word ‘impossible’ as nothing more than motivation. Relish the opportunity to be an outsider, because it’s the outsiders who change the world, and who make a real and lasting difference. The more that a broken system tells you that you’re wrong, the more certain you should be that you must keep pushing ahead, you must keep pushing forward.”