Few runners think about winning a race overall. Instead they create their own personal victories. For some it might be running a personal best, beating a competitor or winning an age group. For others it can be just finishing a race.

Vince Lombardi is often acknowledged for the quote, "Winning is everything", he actually said, "Winning isn't everything--but wanting to win is."  He also said. "Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing."   Last year, I finish second in a race in Ontario.  One of my friends from Windsor teased me about it. She said that I was the first loser.  It seemed funny at the time.  She knew how successful I had been (I hold the world record for most marathon victories). What she didn't know was that I hold the record for most second place finishes as well with 20 bridesmaid marathon trophies.

In Detroit I finished second three times before finally winning (I then went on to win six straight). I wanted to win badly but I hadn't learned how to relax.  I was too nervous before the start. Besides the fact that winners Greg Meyer and Mike McGuire gave great performances, I still needed to develop confidence in my abilities.  Once I learned what it was like to win I became addicted to the habit, as Lombardi would put it.

A few years ago at Grandma's Marathon, I was doing radio commentary along with several others in the lead vehicle. At mile 23 I picked Gideon Mutisya to win the race even though he was more than 400 yards behind.  When he won the other commentators asked how I was able to predict the outcome.  I drew on my own experience. He looked very relaxed and confident. More importantly, he knew what it was like to win. Just nine months earlier he had won the Twin Cities Marathon.  He could visualize himself winning and had the memory in his head about what it would take to win.

Lombardi also said, "It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you've got to have is faith and discipline when you're not yet a winner."  It takes time and patient to achieve victories that mean something.  The victory isn't just in the moment you cross the finish line.  It's remembering the hard work that went into it. It's overcoming obstacles and correcting mistakes. You often have to push aside all the distractions of everyday life and stay focused on your personal dreams. Winning is all about conquering the little steps that went into your personal accomplishment.

Tip of the Week: Keep a log separate from your mileage listing.  Create a log that highlights your long and short term goals by date. Write in how you plan to accomplish these goals that will make you a winner.

For more information: April 6,  8 am, Stampede of Races, Domino's Farms Ann Arbor,   1Mile, 5km, 10km and 20km races, Contact info: 734 482-4388 or [email protected]