“If the deal is that I
never cycle again, but I get to live, I’ll take it, I
thought. Show me the dotted
line, and I’ll sign.
I’ll do something else, I’ll go back to school,
I’ll be a trash man, do anything. Just let me live.” (Armstrong, It’s Not
About The Bike)
A lot of people boast that Lance Armstrong is a force to be
reckoned with, that his strength and ability are unparalleled, that his
courage is remarkable. He
has become a kingpin of athleticism, of cycling, an American to finally
bring the sport into the homes of North America, with the likes of Greg
LeMond. People think
he’s invincible because he has overcome so much to become the
incarnation of victory.
They think he is valiant and amazing, sweet and daring, that he
is a fierce competitor and a stunning humanitarian. They think that Lance Armstrong
is a hero.
I happen to be one of those people.
In July 2005 with seven consecutive Tour de
France championships to his name, Lance Armstrong officially retired
from professional cycling, leaving the world to think his competitive
days were behind him. However, on November 5 Armstrong emerged again to
take part in the famed New York City Marathon, a 26.26-mile run that
snakes through downtown New York City.
Training consistently for about four months
prior to the race, and when his schedule allowed, Armstrong prepared to
run the famed marathon.
I say Lance Armstrong is my hero because of
what he represents.
He is an example of courage and of strength. His journey on the bike to me
represents the ultimate ability of a person to change the hand they are
dealt and win. He wins
because he believes and because he never, ever gives up. He remembers every person who
has touched his life and keeps them close. He rides his bike like
it’s the fight of a lifetime, but only he knows the true fight
was waged in lonely hospital rooms as he was hooked up to bags and
medicines and machines.
He fights because he believes he can win, and
he wins because he knows he can fight.
I often stare down at the yellow LIVESTRONG
band that I wear on my left wrist, or I rub it mindlessly as I’m
working and I remember that nothing is too hard. There is not one obstacle that I
cannot overcome should I choose to be victorious over it. Lance teaches that every person
can win. He teaches that
life is a choice filled with so many other, smaller choices. First you must decide to live,
and then, you must live.
However, as Lance proved in his first book of
the same title, it is, in fact, not just about the bike. It is about taking life by the
horns, by giving every day and every goal you set for yourself 110% of
your energy.
Armstrong’s decision to run the NYC Marathon became his
most recent obstacle, and despite the smaller ones of shin splints and
severe muscle fatigue, he finished the race.
“But finally the last
thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling,
the cynics and the skeptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that
you can’t dream big. I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But
this is one hell of a race. This is a great sporting event and you
should stand around and believe it. You should believe in these
athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the
Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this
is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it… Vive le
Tour. Forever.” (Armstrong, speech
following 2005 Tour de France)
As for Armstrong’s personal goal of
finishing the race in less than three hours, he managed to cross the
finish line at 2 hours, 59 minutes and 35 seconds.
