There are many ways to learn. Growing up in a family of teachers, I have always known about ‘book learning.’ That was very helpful through college. But in the years since then, I have discovered the value of other types of learning. By making mistakes, for example.
Spirit
The formal education process teaches you not to make mistakes or your test scores or grades will be affected. In the world outside the school, it’s not so simple. No mistakes usually means you’re not trying anything too risky, which means you are missing out on an awful lot. I was thinking about those things last week while watching the movie 'Spirit of the Marathon.’
I ran my first marathon in 1981. Back then you had to register for Grandma’s Marathon the day the entry forms came out, because it filled immediately. I was a senior at Macalester College, but I knew that a marathon was the next step for me after the track season.
That year was a breakthrough year for me. I started as an injured cross country runner, and ended going to NAIA and NCAA Division III track nationals to run the 10,000 meters. I was running high mileage, 100-plus per week, but my longest runs were 18 mile Sunday runs. After my track season was over in late May, I took a short break, then started training again for the marathon. I knew that running a 20-miler was important, so I completed my first one six days before Grandma’s. [Note: I have gone on to lead many marathon training groups, and now recommend that your last long run be three weeks before your marathon. Hey, I was only 21!] My goal was to run six-minute pace for as long as I could, assuming that since my new 10K PR was five minutes/mile that six-minute pace would roll along. Easier said than done.
It turned out to be an unbelievable day for me. It was cool and cloudy, great running weather. I locked in with a group of runners going six-minute pace for the first five miles. Then the group broke up at a water stop, and I found myself running with a co-worker and another first time marathon Lane Wieker. The miles rolled along, and we passed people the rest of the way.
At about twenty mile, we passed eventual women’s winner Lorraine Moeller, running with then-husband Ron Daws. Finally with the finish line in sight, I could see the clock turning over to the next minute. Darn, I thought. I missed my chance to run under 2:30. As I crossed the finish line and saw the clock, I smiled. It had turned to 2:29, not 2:30, and I had completed my first marathon more than six minutes faster than I had hoped for. It took a while longer to realize that I could have easily looked at my own watch to see the time, but had become mesmerized by the finish line. Lane and I had run negative splits, 1:16/1:13, and were officially marathoners!
If I had played it ‘by the book,’ I would have never done my twenty mile training run, never dared to try running six-minute pace, and certainly never tried to pick it up. All these ‘mistakes’ lead to an experience that I will never forget.
That all came rushing back while I was watching ‘Spirit of the Marathon’ in its limited release last week. The producers have added a second date, February 21, and with the packed theaters around town I’m sure they’ll have great word of mouth reviews. If you have ever run or even thought of running a marathon, I recommend the movie. It deftly weaves the stories of marathoners from elites to first timers as they take on the challenge of Chicago Marathon (fortunately in 2005 not last year).
Soaps
Learning can come from unlikely sources as well. Recently, I have become exposed to the world of soap operas. As I understand it, this phenomenon has been going on for some time, but I was blissfully unaware.
Soap operas have their own logic and pace. It might take one week to tell of events that take less than an hour, and dead rarely means gone. Enemies become friends, and vice versa. Alliances are made and broken. Characters are introduced and tossed aside. Actors and actresses are replaceable, sometimes even in mid-scene. Being new to the genre, I was surprised that, as if an understudy were required for a Broadway production, an announcement is made that “Peter Potter is playing the part of John Smith today.” The show must go on!
After gaining my bearings in this strange land, I discovered that there was much I could learn. No one is too good to avoid mistakes, and no one too evil for some type of redemption. Like in ‘real’ life, it is easy to get distracted by false clues. And most important, these writers, actors and actresses work very hard to create their special worlds. They are constantly scrutinized by loyal fans, and are pushed to come up with better and more entertaining product. That sounds like event directing to me.
Surveys
Sometimes to learn, you have to ask questions. We did our first post-event survey following the Frigid 5, and found out that you had plenty to say. More than one-third of all participants filled out a survey, which is a phenomenal rate of return.
We were please to find that 93% were likely or very likely to return next year, 92% would recommend this event to a friend, and 96% were likely or very likely to participate in another TSL event. You like Running Bear, and had mixed reviews on the adhesive bib numbers. [Note: if we try it again, it will be with a different adhesive that doesn’t leave residue on your clothes!]
What really caught our attention were your comments:
- “Every event you sponsor has been a uplifting experience.”
- “I really like that the shirt/hat are optional as I do not need more shirts and hats and would like to reduce entry fees.”
- “I do a fair number of races throughout the year, and the best are ALWAYS those run by TSL! They do an awesome job and I’m excited to participate in more of the runs they organize!”
- “VERY well organized. Loved how the finish line was right by the doors-could watch for other finishers in the warmth!”
- “You guys do a great job as always, very organized and result the same day!!! That’s awesome.”
- “I loved being warm inside the Coliseum.”
- “All in all I had a great time and will come back next year and the year after that. I will try to get some of my running groups to come up also. Thank you for a memorable winter race.”
Wow. Thank you for those kind words. It challenges us to continue to live up to them!
Of course there were a few polite suggestions. We will see if we have any alternatives to the four-loop 10K. We’ll definitely add more music. The fresh paint in the Coliseum should be dry by next year. We’ll see about making the hats longer.
One comment that had me a little baffled was, “Since I am a back-of-the-pack runner, I’m convinced you don’t care about my comments/suggestions.” I thought that was a little odd on a survey that asked for feedback, but I want to assure the writer and everyone else that we do care. Most of the above positive comments were from back-of-the-packers, and we never prioritize the needs of the speedy over the needs of the rest. We are committed to evolving our events to fulfill our mission statement: “Connecting people to their passions through events that enrich life.”
And finally, to the person who wrote: “Would love to organize singles together for this event… put me in charge and I’ll do it!” The survey link from the web site was anonymous, so I don’t know who you are, but I’d love to take you up on your offer! Please send me E-mail and we’ll talk. It could be a way to take our ‘connecting people to passion’ mission to a whole new level!
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