I have always been an avid jogger but as I prepare for a marathon in late April the miles have begun to add up recently. Today I took my black lab, Victory, out for a run (or she took me). About 35 minutes in I tripped on some loose object that sent me sprawling onto SC Highway 184. The fall was nasty enough to draw blood over numerous parts of my body but I didn't realize that fact until the run ended 25 minutes later. Falling while running goes with the territory even though my 12 year old daughter thinks it is because I am old and shouldn't do anything without assistance. The point is I am old but never in my run did I ever think about staying down on the highway until a car passed to help me or walking back home. I have sports to thank for that. I learned early on playing sports that when you fall, you get back up and get to work. With our basketball team we call that "going to the next play." We should all be grateful for what sports has given us. It has taught us to fight. It has taught us that win or lose we have to go to the next play. It is the reason I argue so hard for the value of sports. There is so much to learn from sports from those who play it. I learned a great deal in my classrooms at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN but from playing basketball and golf I gained life experiences that still come in handy today especially when I trip on a highway. And speaking of tripping, my wife sent me this video to prove someone has done it much better than I. Check out the video link below and cherish all that sports is about!
