What is an athlete and are you one?
As a young girl, I remember being glued to the TV during the time of the summer Olympics. I was watching when Nadia Commenci scored a perfect ten. Vivid in my mind is Mary Lou Retton performing some amazing jump on the horse with a sprained ankle and the coach carrying her around. My dad was out participating in triathlons when I was young too, so, I believe all of this has made me the athlete I am today.
Who inspired you?
Women who have always inspired me include Joan Benoit Samuelson, Kathrine Switzer, Connie Carpenter, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mary-Lou Retton, Gabrielle Reece. For the athletic males, I love Garrett Anderson (Angels Baseball), Mark Cavendish (pro cyclist), Floyd Landis, etc..These people are professional athletes and have actively pursued their dreams to their fullest potential. But, just because I am not a paid professional athlete doesn’t mean I am not an athlete!
Quickie Definitions.
So, here is where my definition differs from the standard definition. Oh, but, for your reading pleasure, I gathered a few definitions for comparisons sake.
Webster’s New World Dictionary states it is a person trained in exercises or games requiring strength, skill, and stamina, etc..
From Wikipedia, A person who actively participates in physical sports, possibly highly skilled in sports.
Free Dictionary: A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.
I am an athlete. Runner, cyclist, passionate about all things related to being athlete- whether it’s nutrition, stretching, whole body awareness, mental training, you name it. I have never been to the Olympics, but I regularly compete against myself and in races. There is always a challenge and a goal in which I am trying to achieve. Cyclist husband is an athlete as well. He actively pursues cycling to the best of his ability (time, opportunity and dedication). Many of our friends are athletes! Some are retired professional bike racers, competitive cyclists, ex-professional downhill skiers or avid weekend athletes. You, readers are athletes!
Here is why I think you are an athlete:
1. Actively pursuing YOUR athletic dreams, potentials, loves
2. Dedication
3. Training
4. Skill
If you are actively pursuing bowling three times a week, I think you’re an athlete. If you are regularly training for a stronger body (such as Strength for Life) I think you’re an athlete. Demonstrating your dedication to a healthy lifestyle- whether it’s the treadmill, elliptical (although I have issues with these things), 2 spin classes a week, regular attendance in any exercise class- you are an athlete. On a side note: an athlete is someone who loves what they do! Athletes have found a skill, endurance sport or a game that they LOVE to do, so they actively pursue it.
When is the line drawn between athlete and weekend warrior?
A weekend warrior is a person whom never exercises at all, YET, plays softball once a week and calls it exercise! Or the idea of exercise is moving from the recliner to the fridge. Twice a year golfer but don’t do anything else.
It’s your dedication
Athletes will demonstrate year round dedication to health and wellness. In the end, you are an athlete if you put forth the effort and the time to improve- in whatever sport it is!
So, athletes what did you do to actively pursue your athletic dreams this weekend?
7 responses so far ↓
1 MizFit // Aug 4, 2008 at 1:20 pm
mine is getting old, I know.
but I climbed on the ropespiderwebthing at the park with my Toddler.
and, surprisingly, I DID FEEL LIKE AN ATHLETE THEN.
that thing is hard (for someone with my balance anyway)
MizFits last blog post..odds & ends.
2 Fitarella // Aug 4, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Yes, you ARE an athlete!
This weekend I ran my 13.16 mile long run at a 9:01/mile…I am feelin’ like an athlete too
Fitarellas last blog post..See Jacq run!
3 Fit Mommy // Aug 4, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Fitarella and Miz Fit you are my heros! I look up to both of you for all your insight and wisdom. You are ATHLETES!!
4 Running Knitter (AKA Eileen) // Aug 4, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Thank you for this excellent post. It’s always nice to be reminded that we are all athletes. I did an 8 miler this weekend (my first 8 miler ever and it was 91 degrees!).
5 Lance // Aug 4, 2008 at 5:57 pm
So what made me an athlete this weekend?
Well…I actually got out and ran for a change - thanks to you - you’re post about “OK, so I cheated a little” was inspiration for me. So, I’ll say it again - thank you very much!! I also setup a new basketball hoop in our driveway (we play a lot, me and the kids) and the old one broke. So, I got in some basketball. And…we went on a bike ride as a family.
Lances last blog post..We Are A Motley Crew
6 Tiffany // Aug 4, 2008 at 6:36 pm
That is great. I am an athlete and I am always striving to be a better one.
I loved how you said as a kid your dad was participating in triathlons. That is how I want my girls to think of me. I am considering training for my first one in October.
7 Christina // Aug 5, 2008 at 1:57 am
Thank you for sharing your dreams, Rachel. Becoming an athlete is truly a dream for me. Staying healthy is gold, so staying physically aware, active (on the rowing machine, lifting weights, riding the bike), and eating healthy foods make me feel like an athlete…even at my age:)
MOM
Leave a Comment