“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.” T. Alan Armstrong
Few days before this marathon, a brother and I accidentally met Reida Keji training alone along a less traveled road outside town. She’d run over 2kms and had 8kms more to cover. She did this every morning before school and in the evening after school.
Two things thrilled me about her and I remarked to the brother with me, “…this girl will take the first prize again… she’s doing something unique.”
First, she was training alone.
I saw a self-motivated girl with determination written all over her. She seemed to be training for a stage greater than this Students’ Marathon.
She was seeing her future and running towards it alone.
Second, she was doing it secretly. Though she had the option of running around town where she’d be seen by her admirers, after all she’s the current champion; instead she made her preparation private and personal by running along a lonely road, far from public view. That’s not common with young people.
When asked why she chose to train alone and in secret when others were training together in the fields and around town, the summary of her response was, “I challenge myself better when I’m alone and I don’t want attention. It is easy to be distracted when you know people are watching.” What profound perspectives from a young mind!
I wasn’t surprised when I gave her the first-place card at that finish line. You don’t win a marathon back-to-back if you are not gifted and well prepared.
Her express desire for greater laurels and a stage beyond what this marathon offered was confirmed when she ran again the following day after winning the first prize, still on the same lonely road. Her passion and dream motivates her and we’ve taken notice.
But for now, her discipleship is our utmost concern and preoccupation. Spiritual formation is at the core of our drive. Creating a platform that attracts gifted athletes like Reida is our aim with this Marathon. We will not lose focus.
Will she qualify for the next Olympics and carry the flag of South Sudan in Rio come 2016?
We must be dreaming.
Abba smiles.
[Reida relishes her victory after the marathon in this video clip below]
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 