One story that a band member told really resonated with me. He was telling about a teacher he had who said she hadn't sung since she was a young girl because someone made fun of the way she sang. He was of course telling the kids to always sing and not to let someone have that power over you to make you stop doing something you love.
It made me remember a time in high school when I was playing field hockey, one of the few sports teams I ever made. A "teammate" made fun of the way I ran. I was very self conscious about running from that day forward and didn't start running until I was almost 50. Would I have started sooner if this remark wasn't floating around in my head? Who knows? But it is tragic how much we can hurt one another. I am glad I finally got past that remark and began running because it has added more to my life than I ever could have imagined when I didn't run. I have worked out off and on for years and I do believe I would be doing something if I wasn't running.
But nothing else would bring me the pleasure running coupled with racing does. I did LOVE biking last fall but missed the racing element immensely. I know I could bike race but I don't think bike racing is as forgiving to beginners as running is. (Although I do plan to test this theory, more on that later.)
Another early morning thing at school today that I got a kick out of is that a 4th grade boy brought his new sneakers into my room to show me. They were a kickass black and VERY bright yellow! I love that the kids are seeing me as someone who appreciates wild shoes!
And lastly, I am trying trying trying to decide if I want to register for the Mount Desert Island Marathon. It is one I want to do. Will I be able to train for a whole marathon? Will my heal cooperate? Do I want to travel that far? I don't know anyone else doing it. I can probably talk my husband into going with me but it would be a quick hurried trip. I need to decide as it is filling up. Last year I missed getting in which was okay in the end since I couldn't run anyways. I am not good at quick decisions. My guess is I won't register. I also have it in the back of my mind that I still want to do Hartford Marathon and someone is trying to talk me into doing Philadelphia. Too many marathons, too little time, too little money.
18 comments:
I spent years trying to hide my teeth when I smiled due to a rude comment by a photographer when I was in high school. Can you believe I tried not to smile??? because of some jerky comment??!! UGH!
MDI is a gorgeous corse! Make a vacation of it and go a few days early. Peak fall colors at that time. You will love it.
Oh, I so agree with you on how devastating someone else's pat judgement can be to one's self esteem! And the things we miss out on because we are afraid of what someone else might think - it's sad!
Good luck with your marathon decisions...
I was convinced that I had ugly fingers because my Uncle told me they were stubby (when I was about 8) and I also thought I was ugly because I wore glasses because of an insensitive remark by a lady from my church. If only I'd known to not let others rudeness have power over me back them.
What a great way to start a day!
And I agree we sometimes hurt people by saying things, sometimes without knowing how much we hurt them. We've got to be careful by what we say.
I can't decide for you which race to register for but I will be here to cheer on you whatever you decide.
Amazing how an incident like that can really stick with us.
It sounds like Molasses Creek put on quite the show!
Oh yes please come to Philly!!!! :)
What a great message from that group at your school. I know I can still hear the voices of people telling me things about myself, even when they don't remember! Funny how things stick with you. Glad you were able to get over it and run! :)
choices, choices! Mount Desert is on my list one day. Phila is a great one--done it several times.
So true about kids and their comments. I think about it all the time with my kids--I want to make sure they are never on the giving end of a remark like that.
Nice post! My son often gets back from school and tell me about some rude comment some kid made to another. Kids can be so cruel without realizing what they are doing. Follow your heart with the marathon you do. I think you'll be able to train for and run a marathon but give yourself enough time to be confident about your heel.
I would love to do that Marathon someday. I haven't been in that area since 1984 8-0
Kids can be horrible...I read Lord of the Flies as a kid and figured it could easily happen at my school 8/
Psst: Did you say have heel problems? That 2nd photo makes you look like quite the heel-striker (assuming that's how you always run)
...I'm loath to suggest people experiment with fire, but if you have heel problems during a marathon mileage buildup you might want to experiment gradually with a mid-foot strike (a la pose, chi running, or just figure-it-out-yourself running ;)
PHILLY.
That group sounds wonderful! I'm glad someone is having good days at their school job, because my week has been pretty terrible. I usually don't know when the end of school is til mid-May, but I'm ready to total up days left and start counting down.
I didn't sing for years and years because of a remark my mom made while I was singing my heart out to my Mary Poppins soundtrack. I heard my parents laughing and asked my dad what was so funny. He told me (I can't BELIEVE he told me!!) that she'd said, "Not very pretty, is it?" I was crushed. Now, I'll sing in front of my students or any adult unfortunate enough to have to be in my classroom when I sing, but I'm still self-conscious about it. I'm thankful our church band is LOUD so I can sing my heart out without fear of others hearing me.
Good luck with your marathon decision!
I am on Emily's side- COME TO PHILLY :)
Your story reminds me of a book..."P.S. The thing I never told you"...or something like that - I am going to find it and send it to you cuz I know you'd love it!! It's just a collection of short stories addressing something you wish you could say to someone and I thought that'd be cool you could tell those kids now that you CAN run! :)
I say you gotta sign up for the marathon - how you ever going to know until you try?!?! Don't be afraid - life's not waiting, go after your dreams!!
xo
This makes me feel better about hyping up my next homemade-running song. Except I really can't sing.
I've let others sorta dictate how I am today in small ways... I'm sure we've all had this happen at some point.
Biking just never hit the spot for me like running does. That is so cute that your pupil brought his trainers in to show you!
I think a classmate made fun of the way I run, too. I was always picked last for sports teams, so I hated gym class and working out. I think running is a way for me to prove to myself that I can be active and athletic.
You're right... there are so many races to do. It's so hard to choose!
I was always made fun of the way I walked and so was very self-conscious of both. It's taken a really long time to let it go. As I've gotten older, I noticed a general similarity to the type of person who does it, so I've learned that they're opinion matters very little! Glad you finally got out there running!
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