No Dreams Too Small Or Too Big - Lessons from Running

While in class today, we were discussing answers for the Editing/Spelling component of the English Booklet B. The text type was a newspaper report on two local runners preparing themselves to run the Badwater UltraMarathon, reputed to be the toughest foot race on Earth.

So, why is it so tough? Well, I got the following extract from Wiki to describe what the race is all about.

The Badwater Ultramarathon describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135 mile (215 km) course starting at 282 feet (85 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney. It usually happens in July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C) in the shade are not uncommon. Consequently, very few people—even among ultramarathoners—are capable of finishing this race.
- Wikipedia






video featuring the incredible journey of 65 year-old Hawaii resident, Don Fallis as he participates in the 2007 Badwater Ultra Marathon.

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And well, after watching the videos and you think that's tough, what about the following husband and wife team who gave up all their possessions to RUN AROUND THE WORLD FOR FIVE YEARS! :)







Well, there are many lessons we can gather from watching the videos. And no, they do not involve encouraging you to run around the world or go the Death Valley and attempt the Ultra.

For me, the underlying messages behind the videos are;-

1) Dare to have a dream, no matter how big or small, and pursue it.
2) Don't be just satisfy with your current self - find your limits and exceed them.
3) To succeed, you will certainly meet with setbacks but you must have the resilience, willpower and a never-say-die attitude to bounce back.
4) Victory is only that much appreciated after overcoming a struggle and not an absence of it. If it is easy, everyone can do it right?
5) When someone says it's impossible, don't take their word for it :)
6) Last but not least;- Don't Quit!


As the journey inches closer to the PSLE, I hope you will remember the above points in mind. Whatever your dreams may be, I hope you will achieve them. I will be waiting for you at the FINISHING LINE :)


-MrDA13