I often have deep thoughts while out in the woods running. The idea for this post came to me on my weekend long run. It has to do with, what seems to me, to be a shift in our culture to a “winner take all” mindset. That, if one doesn’t win they aren’t good enough.
I was thinking about Steve Prefontaine. Now he really was great but there is something interesting about Steve that, I think, adds to his legacy. In 1972 Steve went to the Summer Olympics determined to do his best. Notice I didn’t say “win”. This is a huge distinction for a “winner take all” society.
For those who aren’t avid runners or don’t otherwise know Steve Prefontaine’s story he is a famous US distance runner but he never won an Olympic medal. He did set numerous US running records. In the 1972 Olympics he had a prime opportunity to win or place in the 5000 meter race for a medal, if only he had run to win. But he didn’t he ran to do his best.
The 5000 meter race is about 3 miles long and during the Olympic medal deciding heat Steve’s competitors had the idea of running a, relatively, slow first 2 miles in an effort to have the race be decided by a sprint finish. Now Steve was a very good sprinter and had he played the wait and sprint at the end game he would have almost certainly won a medal, maybe even the gold medal. But Steve believed a 5000 meter race should be contested for more than the last 100 meters.
At the 2 mile mark Steve picked up the pace, a lot. His competitors were forced to follow. The rest is history and to understand it’s helpful to know that in running, as in most endeavors, it takes far more energy and effort to lead than to follow. By taking the lead Steve Prefontaine didn’t win gold or silver or even bronze. No medal for Steve as he finished 4th.
Almost 40 years after there are some interesting lessons to be learned from Steve’s life. First; only die hard running fans can name or remember who did win the 5000 meter Olympic gold in 1972, let alone who finished 2nd and 3rd. By the way, a Finn named Lasse Viren won the gold. Its 4th place finisher, Steve Prefontaine, not Lasse Viren who has had the greatest impact on running lore being one of the most often referenced and quoted runners of all time. Obviously this is NOT because Steve won or lost but because he gave it his best effort.
Now for the real point of this blog; what are you doing or NOT doing because you won’t be the best at it? What makes the difference may be giving your best not being the best! With that in mind what are you depriving yourself, your business, your family and your community of by holding back? It’s okay to be 4th, you may just create your own legend and that just might be your most valuable impact!