I celebrate my personal "running anniversary" every year. I also use this day to reflect on the past 12 months of running. And I write that down. Year after year. So it’s also a celebration of my writing haha ;-) https://dasz.substack.com/p/my-11th-running-anniversary
It's amazing you have a "runniversary" you can look forward to on the calendar, and that you're documenting them so you can look back. Also love the nugget about writing for someone, rather than about something. I guess you could say your runniversary journals are for you.
In his book *Road to Sparta* Dean Karnaszas said the ancient Greeks celebrated all participants in the original Olympic games. They lauded the champions, too, but it was a democratic ideal to recognize all who competed. Over time more emphasis was placed on the winners and elites and many lamented that it went against the true meaning of the games.
In other words: this is counter to the lament that participation awards are either a new thing or somehow misguided. It's an ancient, proud, sacred practice. If anything we've lost our way by only focusing on the elite whether it's an elite person or elite achievement. The ancient Greeks believed in the sanctity of participation.
He also details Phaedippedes full run which was way more than just the 24.8 mile little bit from Marathon to Athens. He ran about 300 miles over 4-5 days. It was his vocation as a priest of Hermes.
Great piece!
When one of triathlon's all-time greats stops by to give you a high-five, that's a good day. Thank you for reading!
ps: forgot to mention that your article is a superb read! 👌
Thank you! Struggled to get going on this one, but it came together. Much like many runs, I have to remind myself.
I celebrate my personal "running anniversary" every year. I also use this day to reflect on the past 12 months of running. And I write that down. Year after year. So it’s also a celebration of my writing haha ;-) https://dasz.substack.com/p/my-11th-running-anniversary
It's amazing you have a "runniversary" you can look forward to on the calendar, and that you're documenting them so you can look back. Also love the nugget about writing for someone, rather than about something. I guess you could say your runniversary journals are for you.
In his book *Road to Sparta* Dean Karnaszas said the ancient Greeks celebrated all participants in the original Olympic games. They lauded the champions, too, but it was a democratic ideal to recognize all who competed. Over time more emphasis was placed on the winners and elites and many lamented that it went against the true meaning of the games.
In other words: this is counter to the lament that participation awards are either a new thing or somehow misguided. It's an ancient, proud, sacred practice. If anything we've lost our way by only focusing on the elite whether it's an elite person or elite achievement. The ancient Greeks believed in the sanctity of participation.
This is incredible perspective, and I wasn't aware of the history. Thank you for dropping the wisdom (and thanks for reading).
The book is full of fascinating stuff!
He also details Phaedippedes full run which was way more than just the 24.8 mile little bit from Marathon to Athens. He ran about 300 miles over 4-5 days. It was his vocation as a priest of Hermes.
This is great. I loved this line:
self-celebration isn’t trite. It is a strategic tool for building resilience
Celebrate everything.....we only get one chance at this life and we should be smiling, having fun and celebrating!
Oh, man... If there's one person I can think of that embodies the joyful celebration of self (and others) in sport, it's you. Appreciate it, Jason.
This made me smile......
Now, to just figure out how to get comment alerts so it doesn't take me 3 days to respond! 🤣
"I can’t imagine a more perfect thing than a bunch of imperfect humans lifting themselves and one another up..."
Wowee wow. So beautiful. ❤️
Something we try to live.... Thank you for showing me, love.