When the pandemic hit in early 2020 and the world started shutting down, runners clung to hopes that just maybe their race would still happen. And one by one the cancellation notices rolled in along with a lot of disappointed athletes. A lot, but not all.
Meet my friend Roxanne. She started running 7 years ago at age 60 (yes you read that right) and is one of the most tenacious athletes I’ve ever met. She doesn’t let anything stand in her way. In fact, the quote “the obstacle is the way” makes me think of her every time.
She has completed running races of every distance from track sprints to ultramarathons. She has focused on triathlon training for the past few years and completed the full Ironman distance several times! So, what did Roxanne do in 2020?
In a year where many athletes took a much deserved rest from training or complained about cancellations, Roxanne doubled down on her efforts. 6 races at the Polk Senior Games, four 5ks, an 8k, a 15k, several misc. triathlons, 2 half marathons, 2 full marathons, 34 Ironman races and qualified for the 2021 Ironman World Championships! Say what?
So how did she do all these races during a pandemic? Almost all of them were done virtually which means she was out there nearly every weekend getting it done, usually by herself. No cheering crowds, no aid stations, no groups of athletes to draw energy and inspiration from. She did it for her own personal satisfaction and the joy of sport.
So the next time I’m having a little pity party because something seems to be blocking my path, I will think of Roxanne and keep moving forward until I find the way.