We Could Be Heroes..

Jon 'The Penguin' Bingham is one of few 'celebrities' within the running community. Jon has connected with many via his books, personal appearances, and talks at countless races across the country. He is known far and wide within the running community. Jon is also known for a simple and powerful message about 'the courage of taking the first step'. Jon has inspired millions with this message.

There is indeed courage in taking that first step. I would never argue this. But, what about every step thereafter? What do these steps mean? What do they represent?

Several years ago I watched 'Rocky Balboa'(this would be the SIXTH Rocky film). I am somewhat embarrassed to admit it, but I enjoyed the film for the most part and found parts of the film vaguely inspiring. There's one line from the film that always sticks with me uttered by Rock while he's talking with his estranged son.

Rocky verbalizes the most profound thought a seriously brain damaged/addled boxer can muster, 'But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!'

Now back to that idea of taking the first step (and any subsequent steps). With each step you take you are absorbing an appalling shock that rivals any haymaker Rocky could have thrown. So, believe it or not, you are taking a 'hit' with every step you take and a BIG hit at that!

Yet, you keep moving forward. It is indeed courageous to take that 'first' step. But, every step thereafter could best be described as 'heroic'. That's right, you're a hero every time you take that extra step, log that extra mile, and take that extra 'hit'.

Every subsequent step is heroic and with each subsequent step comes the belief that another is possible. The next time you find yourself punch drunk from fatigue, the next time your quads feel like they've been subjected to a sparring session with Mike Tyson, and the fear and doubt insidiously starts to creep in, remind yourself that you're not 'just' courageous, you're heroic.