Beat yesterday
It is a quiet Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago in Manchester. My actual birthday. I slip on my running shoes, somehow manage to not wake my family up and go out. Streets are empty, light drizzle in the air. 'Iconic Manchester Music' playlist in me ear. Breathe in, breathe out.
I turn a corner and suddenly I bump into a marathon.
THINK. Apparently, a running event is on that day. All distances, from 5k up to full marathon, as I realize later. For the moment, I am just trying to cross the road. The deluge of runners doesn't show signs of stopping. For a second there I am contemplating joining the run - but it's my first time in the city and I am worried I would somehow be routed to the marathon (which I am clearly not ready for, let alone my family is waiting with breakfast). Then, I begin to watch.
Nearly every runner has some imperfection, if not a handicap. Some are limping. Some a little, or more than a little overweight. Leaning too much to one side. Too short step. Feet facing inward. Heavy breathing. Dressed too warm. After decades of sport, you notice things quickly.
But none of it matters.
I am convinced most if not all runners would have a great experience. A training cycle came to the point of final trial. They ale seem mobilized and focused. At the same time, the energy is nothing but positive, with crowds cheering on the sidelines. All athletes, from elite runners to novices, are ready to beat themselves from yesterday.
This is what I am telling myself when the alarm clock goes off and I get out for another loop of my neighborhood.
FEEL. Two weekends later, another thrilling story comes to a finish. New York Knicks win game 5 and become NBA champions, after 53 years of drought. With some epic comebacks, unbelievable resilience and impeccable work ethics, they find a way to tip the scales against the extremely talented San Antonio Spurs. These were indeed some exciting events to follow, and outstanding athletic performances!
As a Knicks fan since almost forever, I am overjoyed. I was proudly parading in my New Your jersey to a local coffee shop that morning. But I also have a lot of respect for their opponents.
Once trophy celebrations finish at the main court, press conferences begin. I am absolutely blown away by how the Spurs' coach Mitch Johnson and two leading players sit in front of a microphone, in a room full of journalists, and respond to some (obvious) questions while still beginning to process the emotions of loss.
They humbly talk about how slim the margin of error is in elite competitions. About the power of emotional resilience and discipline of putting a game plan to work. They instantly notice learnings. Despite understandable emotional suffering, they start picking up pieces to include in the preparation to the next season.
'What I’m pissed about is that there are probably 100 games before we can be back in the Finals'. An attitude statement from Victor Wembanyama. Sometimes the difference between a winner and a near-winner is the threshold of giving up.
DO. The world of sport has so many lessons that cross over to nearly all aspects of life. Overcoming own limits, importance of small errors, but also small incremental improvements. The power of belief, trust in teammates and collective resilience.
I could go on.
What I will do instead is leave you all with a question: what is your recipe for beating yourself from yesterday?
