Nature versus Nurture?
Are we really born to run? All of us?
How much of our ability is sewn into our genes and how much is developed in our travels on this earth through effort and experience?
I look at myself with my mind’s eye and I wonder how I ever got to this place I’m at. I was THE most nonathletic kid. The kid they stuck in right field and hoped no one would hit the ball there, the kid that got picked last for every game and the kid that routinely got beat up for no particular reason by the other, bigger, faster and stronger kids. How is that kid now considered a ‘fast’ runner?
I shake my head and laugh. I didn’t get any faster or more capable, I just trained hard. I would still lose every basketball, football, and baseball game I was stuck into from lack of hand-to-eye coordination, dearth of lateral movement and a world’s near worst 100 yard dash time.
Somehow, this nonathlete was forced by circumstance to run cross country in high school. Since there was no catching, throwing or dashing involved I learned how to run. And I’ve been learning ever since.
Training and effort has taken me to 13 qualified Boston’s and other pretty good stuff, but I’m still average. Even when I ran my PR at Boston I was right on the average finishing time for my gender and age. Translation: with my natural ability I can train really hard and be average. I honestly believe I’m just not designed for a 2:20 or 2:30 marathon effort – even in my youth.
What’s the answer to the nature or nurture question? The answer is yes. Champions are gifted with that special potential to be champions, but it requires the right circumstance to tease it out and to get all of it.
We may not be gifted with the ability to be champions, but we are still in possession of a gift. We have the opportunity to see how far the gift will go. My guess is that we can all do better than we think and given the right circumstances, the right beliefs and training, we would all surprise ourselves.
I’ll see you out there.
Chris,
Chris Russell lives and trains in suburban Massachusetts with his family and Border collie Buddy. Chris is the author of “The Mid-Packer’s Lament”, and “The Mid-Packer’s Guide to the Galaxy”, short stories on running, racing, and the human comedy of the mid-pack. Chris writes the Runnerati Blog at www.runnerati.com. Chris’ Podcast, RunRunLive is available on iTunes and at www.runrunlive.com. Chris also writes for CoolRunning.com (Active.com) and is a member of the Squannacook River Runners and the Goon Squad.
Email me at cyktrussell at Gmail dot com
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Haha, funny about the kid being picked last for teams, etc. That was me, too. And I can train hard and now hit about 70% age grade, so pretty average. Anyhow, I’ve only been running for 5 years, so I suppose I might be able to get some better, but yeah…I would not be a champion caliber.
Chris – what a great piece, thank you so much for posting. I especailly can relate to the passage:
“We have the opportunity to see how far the gift will go. My guess is that we can all do better than we think and given the right circumstances, the right beliefs and training, we would all surprise ourselves”.
I’m not sure truer words have been spoken of late when it comes to running and racing. Believing is a huge leap many of us need to take to come anywhere close to realizing our potential.
I’m am working hard to “believe” every day.
Best to you Chris!