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Always Second

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Oct 12, 2009
by: kberg
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While looking to find the perfect senior quote, I came across a quote that pretty much describes my life ever since my sophomore year.  Carlos Lopes an Olympic Marathon runner who won the gold in the 1984 Summer Olympics said

Second place is not a defeat.  It is a stimulation to get better.  It makes you even more determined.  Carlos Lopes 

Ever since the 2007 State Track Championship where I earned second place in the 100m, 200m and 400m, the number two has followed me everywhere.  I would pull into a parking space and look up only to find the number two mocking me or I would continually find myself given the number two in every single situation.  I just can't seem to get rid of this number stalking me everywhere I go.  Even though the number two is my most hated number, it has given me a new kind of determination.  With every workout and training, the number two fuels me to push myself harder and to be better.

"Play like you're in first, but train like you're in second." - Unknown

I think this quote is so fitting for anything in life not just in sports because in order to be the best you have to train like you aren't.   Even if you think you are the best or good enough there are always ways to improve.

 

Comments

kberg,     Simply put,

Submitted by EricH on Mon, 2009-10-12 09:05.

kberg,

    Simply put, your article was inspiring.  After reading it, I understood that my mediocrity all these years could have been used to my advantage.  I always thought that if I was not first then I was basically last which was a depressing way to live my life because I was rarely first.  You describe in your article how the number two plagues your existence,
"I would pull into a parking space and look up only to find the number two mocking me or I would continually find myself given the number two in every single situation. I just can't seem to get rid of this number stalking me everywhere I go."
It sounds as though you are an Olympic athlete trying to beat someone who is barely better than you, but the idea that the number two is stalking you made me laugh.  Good job.
-Eric
 

 

Dear Kirsten, Your post is

Submitted by parkermjmchs on Mon, 2009-10-12 12:26.

Dear Kirsten,

Your post is so similar to my own viewpoint about running it is uncanny. I don't always get second, but I have never gotten first in the situations like you were describing. Last year at Region track, I took fifth in all three of my races, and all in the last 100 meters, and didn't even qualify to get to State. I have always seemed to have some health issue at key races that hinder my performances. Rather than being stalked by the number two, I would say that I am personally just following the number one, never able to catch it.

The quote "Play like you're in first but train like you're in second." rings so true with what I have done as a result of never finishing first. When I have won small races, I always know that the real competition wasn't there, so I need to push harder to take first at that next level. This training mentality has been invaluable for me, and thanks for reminding me of my own desires to take first but train like I'm in second as Region XC and State XC draw ever nearer.

Thanks for your post, Eric nailed it when he dubbed it "inspiring."

your article has given me

Submitted by Jmo on Tue, 2009-10-20 10:17.

your article has given me motivation to try harder on all my tennis and archery skills and i am used to always trying my best and show how coming on top but sometimes when i do lose and stand tere in defeat i think next time if i ever play him or her again i will try harder and now i see losing just makes it funner for you in all situations because you know now theres a goal for you to pass and working towards a goal is always easier than working for a random point.