BE FIRST YOUR OWN HERO...You never know who you'll inspire!  By Coach Kevin Smith, October 2003

Awhile back--in the neighborhood of 2 years or so--long time devotees of our seasonal running e-newsletters may remember an article penned by Marathon Dynamic's president Kevin Smith, on the passing away of his running hero--a man named Mike Meredith--to whom he attributes most of his own original involvement in the sport of distance running.  Ultimately, the story was about the astounding significance a single runner can have on others...without their even knowing it. 

Well, in a way, this is the sequel to that story. We are oft reminded by the gurus and luminaries of running, such as George Sheehan and Katherine Switzer, to "be our own heroes" in our experience as distance runners, as we can provide our own best motivation, find the most personal significance in our pursuit, and are our own best competition (and usually our biggest cheerleader!) amidst our daily striding and striving.  Examples of runners "being their own heroes" abound, both near (here at home) and afar (around the world), to be sure, but I had an experience at last year's PowerBar 5K Run (of the Canada Running Series) that showed me just how remarkable the effect of one runner on another can be.

The annual midsummer 5K down at "The Docks" had just ended on a fine summer evening, and hundreds of exhausted, sweaty--but for the most part jubilant--runners were streaming into the Post Race Pavilion of the lakefront patio at the popular Toronto nightspot.  I was "boofing it" that night (runner expo lingo for "working at a booth") to promote our business as a sponsor of the event, and was comfortably ensconced inside our snazzy purple MDI tent, enjoying the cool evening air, the conversation and the "race reports" of many runners, when out of the encroaching darkness, a slight, sinewy, blond young man strode up to our table.  I recognized him almost instantly, though I hadn't seen, spoken or even heard from/about him in at least 2-3 years.  It was Jason Bunston, a truly fabulous Canadian runner who, "in his day" (mid to late 90's), was just about unbeatable over distances from 1500m up to 10,000m: personal bests of 13:22 in the 5000m (Canadian Record) and 7:45 in the indoor 3000m (also a Canadian Record), 2 time Canadian Cross Country champion, and numerous World Junior, World Cross-Country and Commonweath Games appearances for Canada... in short, a "lifetime running resume" nothing short of spectacular.

I wasn't even sure if he remembered or recognized me as he smiled and said hello, since we never really knew each other and my own running accomplishments pale by comparison, and though there was a short time as young "up and comer" runners that there could be said to have been an "impending rivalry" between us as competitors, all that was usurped by a 4.5 year injury layoff I experienced in my mid/late teen years that certainly crimped my competitive running potential.

After a short exchange of running pleasantries and such, at a pause in the conversation, Jason pulled out his wallet and reached inside it.  "I've got something I want to show you" he said. Curious, I looked down to see what he was holding in his hand, and was amazed, shocked and stunned...all at once.  It was a small, tattered and tarnished picture, unmistakably of the "photo finish" of the OFSAA (Ontario Fed. of Sec. Schools Athletic Assoc.) Junior Boys 3000m final, where the reigning national junior champion of distance running, Brendan Matthias, is eking out a narrow 1 second victory over a younger, relatively unknown upstart (me!) who came "that close" to upstaging the heavy favourite in one of the biggest high school track meets in North America.

"That was an incredible race" he said.  At the time of the photo, he was competing in the next age division down, awaiting the start of his race final (which he won).  "I've held on to that picture ever since (in his wallet, no less!), I'm not even sure why...it just fires me up" Jason reflected as he carefully tucked the pic back away.

The most amazing part for me was that this photo captured what has always been since the day it happened, my most memorable and significant running moment.  It's one I have replayed hundreds, if not thousands of times in my mind...it's my "go to" when I need a running motivation boost or confidence builder.  To find out that for perhaps many years, it was doing the same thing for one of the best distance runners this country has ever produced, left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling for the rest of the night, and even over the next few days.

Click here to read my personal account of that singularly amazing race.

"Be first your own hero"...you never know what impact you're having on those around you! 

Coach Kev Smith