On Thanksgiving Day, dawn spills over Dana Point Harbor where
thousands of runners gather for the annual Turkey Trot. The
largest holiday race in California beckons folks of all ages,
sizes, shapes, and abilities. Waiting at the starting line for
the 10-K, I talk to a Dad and his 7 year-old daughter. Around me,
I hear bravado talk about marathons, triathlons, hard bodies and
zippo fat content. Thankfully, I spy silver haired folks with
knee braces, a young couple with babies in jogging strollers and
runners decked in costumes ranging from Santa Claus to Elvis
Presley. Running in a gold polyester jump suit, and pompadour
wig while carrying a boom box blaring Elvis tunes will be some
trick. Me-I just want to finish.

The gun goes off and we all inch our way under the balloon arch.
Runners jostle for position, elbowing their way to break into
stride. Me-I just grin at the new day and feel righteous for
having gotten up and down to the event.

By mile two, my righteousness turns to dismay as the seven year-
old passes me by. Elvis has already made the turn way before me
and I am lagging behind a woman who must have 10 years and 20
pounds on me. The sense of competitiveness heats up and so does
my pace. I forget that I already run two miles down to the
Harbor and have 4.2 miles left to go. The runners around me set
my pace.

Suddenly, as I make the turn, I am struck by a humbling sight.
Facing me, arms pumping runs a young man with one leg glittering
in the sun. The metal shank is attached to his thigh. A thin
aluminum calf leads to a metal foot curved like a rocker. He is
oblivious to anyone who passes him. He is running his own race
at his own pace.

I slow down, take his lesson, and resume my 1-2-3-4 mantra.
Lesson learned, smack between the eyes. How many times do we let
others set the pace, ignoring our own goals, our abilities? How
many times do we judge our success or our failure by what others
have done?

I finish despite the pain in my knee. Way behind the silver-
haired lady. Well behind the 7 year-old. Ahead of the sleek
bodied teenager. It doesn't matter. It is my race, at my pace.
And it is a great day for the race-the human race.

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Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE is one of top-ranked women business
speakers in the United States. She's authored numerous books the
newest of which is The Resilient Spirit, radio commentator, and
serves on the Board of Directors of the National Speakers
Association. Eileen has created products to help you get your
work and life in more balance and to do more in less time.
Visit http://www.EileenMcDargh.com/store.html for more information.