YOE TOWN HARRIERS Running Club

Principles of Success in Health, Fitness and Sports:   We have a saying on the Yoe High cross country team, “Goal oriented people find ways.”  This is another way of saying that self motivated people don’t make excuses.  The lack of weather, equipment, facilities, money or whatever athletes think it takes to be a champion can’t stop a self-motivated, determined athlete from success. 

The best example I can think of that illustrates the application of this principle is the great Czechoslovakian runner Emil Zatopek.  One day as he was headed out the door for a two hour run, his wife reminded him that it was his turn to do the laundry.   He really needed to train but he was undaunted by his wife’s request.   He simply filled his bathtub with laundry, soap and water and then simply ran in place in the bathtub for two hours.  That year (1952) he went on to win gold medals in the 5,000 meters, 10, 000 meters and the marathon at the Helsinki Olympics. 

The next time you feel like making excuses think of Emil Zatopek.  Realize that these principles of success can be applied beyond the area of athletics.  How about academics?  I think Abraham Lincoln would have a word or two to say about that also.