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Gor-dough Gor-dough errr.... Ru-Dy Ru-Dy

I started this post in April, but kept it on the back burner while working through other blogs.  I also revisited it in early June, but I had to get those middle distance rankings out before Dennis got mad at me.  This entry has evolved a bit since I started, especially after hearing Cat Zingano's interview on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast (JRE).

I shared that classic sports movie, Rudy, with Mila a while back.  I didn't cry this time so either I've become a heartless monster or have just seen the movie 15 times now so it's tear jerking effect has lessened.  Your call.
While I thoroughly enjoy the movie, it got me thinking.  My running miles have been down lately as I've been busier at work and lifting and cycling a bit more (upping my "new PRs" in deadlift, bench, and squat at least).  I also skipped the Run In The Sun as it was 105 degrees out and we got invited to a dinner party. So, I figured I could resurrect this post that I had started in April.
For you unfortunate souls that have not seen Rudy, it is the story of a relatively unathletic, small Midwestern boy (ahem) chasing his lifelong dream of playing for the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish football team.  It is based on the true story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger who played just 3 plays during the final game of his senior year, including a QB sack on the last play.  So unknown was Ruettiger that the announcer didn't even call his name.  However, he was carried off the field by his teammates, a rare occurrence in the history of Notre Dame football.
Why does this movie resonate with so many people?  I think it is because it shows the importance of small triumphs.  Most of us are never going to experience the highs of an Olympic medal, an NBA championship, or a podium finish at Western States.  Rudy did not go on to a successful NFL career.  Being carried off the field in a game that they had already won handily was the last act of his football career.  That was his personal small triumph.
Hearing Cat on JRE reminded me of her story and expanded on it, filling in background information on some of her fights and medical condition.  Since my readers tend to be a) family members and/or b) runners, I'll have to give you some info on her.  Cat Zingano is one of the top female fighters of all time (ranked #27 all time by Fight Matrix)  She has wins over former champion Miesha Tate, title challenger Raquel Pennington, and current champion Amanda Nunes.  Unfortunately she is probably most well known for sprinting across the cage before being tossed and submitted in 14 seconds by Ronda Rousey.  But, let's rewind.  Cat beat Miesha Tate in her UFC debut and was postured for a title shot at Ronda.  Not only a title shot, but also a spot on The Ultimate Fighter TV show.  Then, things started to fall apart.  First, Cat injured her knee.  The knee injury would put her on the sidelines for over a year, so Miesha got both the TV show and the title shot that should have gone to Cat.  A month after seeing her title shot go to someone else, Cat's husband committed suicide.  He was not only her husband but also her coach and training partner.
Eight months after her husband's suicide, Cat found herself locked in a cage with a terrifying fighter.  Amanda Nunes is the most powerful puncher in the division as well as being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  During the first round, Nunes crushed Cat.  She threw a beating on Cat that messed up her endocrine system and gave her a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that is still causing Cat problems four years later.  However, Cat came storming back.  In the third round, Cat mounted Amanda and got the TKO victory.  The aftermath led to this scream:
Joe played this moment for her on the podcast and let her explain it.  That scream was her outlet.  All of the heartache, pressure, and pain that had happened over the last 18 months went into that moment.  Add that to how brutalized she was in the first round before coming back to win.  It wasn't so much about Amanda Nunes.  Amanda was more an obstacle than a person.  That moment, even though it was on international TV and would be watched by millions, was about Cat.  That was her triumph.  As she says "I got the bone."

So, what am I talking about?  My readers won't ever play Notre Dame football or even be a fight away from a UFC title fight.  But we can (hopefully) all have our own small triumphs.  What're yours?  Those "triumphs" that meant the world to you and maybe only you. I've got two that hit me immediately.
My first came when I was 16.  Back when I thought a mile was a far ways to run.  I was taking part in my first full karate tournament in suburban Pittsburgh.  The same kid had won all three events in the morning where I had failed to make a single podium.  Our division, 15-17 year old green belts, had my 8-12 kids.  Of course, when it came to sparring, the 3x champion was going to be my first round opponent.  At that tournament, matches were only to 3 points and he quickly got out to a 2-0 lead on me.  I kept throwing kicks that I thought were close enough to his head gear to count but no joy.  Getting frustrated, I finally round kicked him in the head.  Enough to drop him to his knees.  After that, I reeled off 3 straight points, winning the match.  Coming back from a 2-0 hole against a kid that, admittedly intimidated me was a huge triumph for me.  Granted, I lost the semifinal and 3rd place match, but that one victory is what I took with me.
My other "RudyCat" moment came during the CowTown marathon this year.  It was my 8th marathon (I think) and 4 hours had been my goal my entire time running.  I'd come close, a 4:03 in Houston in 2017 and was kind of resigned to that being my lifetime PR.  I won't go into a detailed recap as it's laid out in the blog post I wrote directly afterward.  Suffice to say, I surprised myself by finishing in 3:58.  I trudged through the finishers zone, keeping my sunglasses on as I walked alone.  It was sweat, not tears you guys.  Does my sub marathon matter to anyone else?  I mean, if you're reading this, maybe.  However, no one but Mila was there at the finish line cheering for me and me alone.  Mila cheers for me no matter my time but that's cuz she's pretty neat.  She would've cheered just as much if I'd finished in 4:01.  It matters to me.  I did it.  I proved to myself that I could do it.  Just like Rudy getting on the field, I'd accomplished a personal small triumph.

What about you?  What're your small triumphs?  Not just in running, but in life.  Passing a tough class, finishing a difficult project, getting promoted, or doing well on a test can be your own small personal triumphs.  We need to remember these small triumphs to keep us going.  Not everyone is going to be the best or the victor.  However, we can all be successful by our own definition. 

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