The instructions from Max Romey, a Salomon videographer, were simple. Each of us in the house were to take the provided card a write a small note for each of our teammates prior to them toeing the line at the Western States Endurance Run. Some of these runners I knew well, whereas others I had known for just a few days. For me the exercise required consideration, as I wanted to write a message that could be encouraging and uplifting whether the individual achieved their “A” goal or not. I patiently and deliberately sat with each card as thoughts swirled about in my mind. I wanted to find words that respected what each athlete had sacrificed and endured along the way to the start line. As I finished up writing to Lucy Bartholomew I could not help but look around and wonder with curiosity what others would write to me.
Before I moved on to writing in Corrine Malcolm’s card Max let me know that I was to pick a card and write a message to myself before anyone else wrote on it. Rapid and complete panic set in. Choosing the card from images Max had painted was not difficult, the one titled “Dawn Patrol” immediately spoke to me, but fulfilling the written portion of the task had my nerves going. What would I write? What would the others think if they read it while writing in my card? My mind spun in circles as I see myself as a realist, not an optimist. Okay I will admit many people see myself as a pessimist when it comes to myself because of the self-doubt that is ever so present.
I questioned if others would understand what I would write, or would just scratch their heads. I then reminded myself that this was my card and it did not matter if people understood or not. I knew that being sincere with myself would be the most valuable. This simple task that Max had given was proving difficult, but the project in its entirety was thought provoking and reminding me to be mindful. Ultimately I knew I just did not want to allow myself to write something to please others, or so I could simply be done and move on. Then without warning my pen hit the paper and began to move. I didn’t think, I just wrote.
Remember the highs and lows you experienced in training and on race day, and learn from them. Each experience and opportunity is a gift, and if you tried you succeeded. –Aliza
When I was done I handed my card off and each athlete, support crew, pacer and media person in the house had the opportunity to write a note before it was sealed and then delivered to me post-race. The card was out of my hands, but note out of my mind.
To my surprise this exercise of writing myself and others a note pre-race had an impact on me. Throughout my journey over the one hundred miles I thought back to what I had written to myself and what I had written to others. When doubt crept in I told myself that if I had confidence and belief in people that I had just known for days then I must try to have faith in my abilities as well.
I knew that I when I received my card I wanted everything inside it to hold true. If someone had written “Congrats” or “Well Done” I wanted to have the ability to absorb those words and I felt like I could only truly do this by giving my all out on course from start to finish. Yes, I was being motivated by a sealed card, but I didn’t care because it was getting me to continue moving through each segment of the race (The Escarpment, Swinging Bridge, the River Crossing and the Finish Line).
Paintings: Max Romey
When I crossed the finish line I received hugs, high fives, a medal and a cot in the medical tent, but I did not receive my card. To be honest I was not in a rush to have my card, but now had a sense of relief feeling like I had earned it. I had worked hard for it throughout the miles, but for now it could wait, as I just enjoyed the being the moment as I sat with my crew, pacers, coach and other competitors at the track.
Liz Gleason & George Bringing Me to the Finish / Photo Credit: Cory Bruno (CTS)
The following day at the awards ceremony I was handed my card and a poster. I was both nervous and excited to open the card, and when I did I was taken back that it was completely filled with writing. Each note and the entire card is something I will cherish, as a part of my entire Western States Endurance Run journey, and as a reminder of why I love the sport of ultra-running. Thanks to everyone that wrote in my card and to Max for this simple, yet complex exercise.