Daily Kick in the Butt

As a long-time subscriber to Runner's World, I now receive a "Daily Kick in the Butt."  This kick comes to me every day, by e-mail, in the form of an inspirational quote.  I am not sure why they are referred to as a kick in the butt rather than, say, a "Looking Good," or "You Can Do It!"  Today this one arrived in my inbox:

"Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle." - Wilma Rudolph

Yes indeed!  That's what I've been saying, Wilma (see recent posts).  Another way of saying it might be, "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." (Moliere)  Or, "Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life.”  (Haruki Murakami).

Gold medalist and Olympian, Wilma died in 1994 after a stunning career.  Imagine what struggles she went through as an African-American Woman!  Wikipedia just scratches the surface:

Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born prematurely at 4.5 pounds (2.0 kg), the 20th of 22 siblings from two marriages;her father Ed was a railway porter and her mother Blanche a maid.  Rudolph contracted infantile paralysis (caused by the polio virus) at age four. She recovered, but wore a brace on her left leg and foot (which had become twisted as a result) until she was nine. She was required to wear an orthopaedic shoe for support of her foot for another two years. In addition, by the time she was twelve years old she had also survived bouts of polio and scarlet fever.

From that beginning to "the Fastest Woman in the World," as she was called at the time.  What a hard race she had!

 
I can't come close to that kind of struggle.  But I did need that kick in the butt today.