Setting the Standard for Competing

One of the hardest things for me to grasp in the sports world is the idea of winner takes all and no one remembers 2nd place. Today I want to recognize 2nd place because he is anything but forgotten to me. Tyson Gay set the standard for getting out there and competing to the very end. We have seen it 100 times where the other main contender pulls a muscle or just plain old gives up when he realizes that he will not win. As a competitor I know the feeling but also how it reflects on your character when you quit. Tyson may be privately sulking this morning but he is my hero for being classy and a fighter. Initially it is sometimes hard to look at the bright side but there is always one. First being able to arrive on the world stage and compete there more than once, that is something to be proud of. Then, there is the fact that he has earned multiple medals. Next and never to be taken for granted is health. You can have the fastest one leg in the world but if you don't have two willing to do the work at the same time then your world could be so much different. If that isn't enough he is the fastest man in America and the 2nd fastest man in the World EVER.

No one said losing has to be fun but it definitely isn't the end of the world. I have learned from experience how to look at the bright side of things. It makes life so much easier. With that said, my plan for tonight is to run MY race. As long as I have ran my heart out at that moment I will leave the track with my head held high and be grateful for life, health and opportunity.