SHIZUKA'S CHAT Individual vs Team Shizuka at the All-Japan Championship (200 meters). This may seem trival for some, but for me it's worth paying attention to. Ill stand up for what I believe in. Too many people put too much emphasis on the team, and not enough on the indidvual runner where it should be. But in the end we must respect the will of the individual. You should be fair to everyone regardless of their ability. People should be judged not so much by abilities as by who they are. Some possess a greater capacity for overcoming obstacles than others. From a humble begining, you can achieve worldwide fame. In the face of adversity, you can accomplish an extraordinary feat. In competitive running, runners are old enough to understand that some runners have more ability and talent than others. it's a simple fact of life. Just as some coaches have more ability than others, it's naive thinking that all runners should be given an event. A chance yes, but not a event. That's what time trials are for. You should always make the most of the rare opportunities to demonstrate your talents. Running prosperity doesn't last forever. In other words, it will come to an end one day. And that's when your education will take over. so let go of your negative outlook on running. Always maintain a positive attitude. That's why the fastest and strongest should always run. That's why it's called competitive running. But you say, "All runners must run one event." This goes against the spirit of competitive running and good sportsmanship, because this isn't fair. It's favoritism. In the end this isn't going to help anyone. This gives a weaker runner false hope and leaves a stronger running asking why. It's true that you are teammates, but at the same time you are also rivals. In fact your first rivals are your teammates, because you must first prove to your coaches you have the ability to run at the level of your true rivals. Other schools who will show no mercy for you or your teammates. So the very best runner should run the events in competitive running. Some people still believe "The end justifies the means", so some ideas sound marvelous in theory, yet don't work in practice. THOSE WHO NEVER GIVE UP WILL WIN IN THE END, Editor's Note: Thank you to Shizuka for an excellent commentary pointed at competitive running. As Shizuka noted in her email to me, this doesn't apply to fitness or fun run runners! goodrow@infionline.net Privacy Policy of Kids Running