Leadership at Mile 23 During an Ironman Run

One of my coaching clients, Peter, shared this story with me about an athlete on the run course of Ironman Arizona last weekend.  Like myself, Peter is an advocate of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  I continue to be impressed by Peter's ability to notice these small examples of selfless and self-initiated leadership where ever he goes.

Here's Peter's story that I'd like to share with you:

The leadership I witnessed at the 23-mile mark of the AZ Iron man was silent, anonymous, and worth telling the world.  In fact, what I witnessed was the most memorable part of my Iron man experience that day, and I had a pretty good day.   I was so impressed by what I saw, that I wanted to share my story with others. 

My story starts on Friday night at the athlete dinner and required race meeting that follows.  The race meeting goes over the rules, the course, and the schedule.   A different speaker details each leg of the race.  First the swim, then the bike, and then the run.  In each briefing is a reminder to the athletes to have respect for the community.  Specifically on the bike and run portions, the speakers make many pleas with the athletes not to litter and to make every effort to dispose of your trash at the “last chance container” at the end of each and every aid station.   After all, it is going to be the volunteers that have to go pickup the trash that night or the next morning, so why not try to make their long day a little shorter.  In fact, littering on the bike in a non-designated area results in a penalty and possible disqualification. 

Fast forward to the run.  The AZ run course is 3-loops and there is an aid station at each mile.   I stopped and walked through each stop and I used the “last chance container” as my starting line to begin running to the next mile aid station.   I became very familiar with the aid stations and know that the sponges are at the very beginning, followed by the liquids, and followed by pretzels and fruits.  Finally, the “last chance container” to dispose of your trash. 

I had just passed the 23-mile aid station ¼ mile back when I came up on a female athlete that was walking.  As she was walking, I notice that she was bending over to pickup the used sponges littered on the ground.  She already had several in her hand as she was adding to her collection.  "WOW," I thought, she is ¾ mile to the next aid station.  She is picking up used sponges with other peoples sweat and germs. She is saving a volunteer from walking ¼ mile after being on their feet all day long. 

I did not think to turn around to get her number. I am positive that she was doing it because it was the one thing that she could do to make a difference in that moment. She was not looking for recognition, although I hope she somehow finds this story and smiles as silently as she acted last Sunday evening.  

Every athlete dinner includes an award for an everyday hero.  She was my hero for the day.  As leaders do so well, she influenced me, without even knowing, by doing something that there was not penalty for not doing. Everyone can learn and be influenced by this girl’s actions.

Everyday, we all encounter countless opportunities to act without being ask to but because it’s the right thing to do. Now that’s a great Habit to get into and a great New Year’s resolution.

As the race director for the Luray Triathlon, I can appreciate the act.

Live life richly and boldly!

David

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David B. Glover
Triathlon Coach and Writer
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life

© 2009 David B. Glover