Fables... the grasshopper and the tortiose

My first experiences with road races were in the late 1980s or early 90s, when my dad started running 5k races. Now that I do the math, he was a lot closer to my current age than I'd like to admit publicly (maybe than he'd like me to admit as well). Those early Saturday mornings at the Snug Harbor Kick-Off to Summer,  Seaway Run or Roosevelt Park Days 5k are bit hazy, but I do remember my mom calling the front of the pack "rabbits." You know, those guys who run 17, 16, 15-something minute 5k races. They may or may not be Tiggers (you know, us bouncy folk), but they are certainly the rabbits - out there, at the front, winning the race.

As you've probably guessed, I'm not a rabbit. At least not as a runner. I've claimed to have the pace of a geriatric dairy cow, and no one has ever challenged me on this. However, this image brought to mind one junior high summer spent at Muskegon Civic Theater's Summer Children's Theater. We were putting on a production of a number of Aesop's (and other) fables including "Belling the Cat," "The Lion and the Mouse," "The Milkmaid and her Pail," "The Ant and the Grasshopper," and of course, "The Tortoise and the Hare."  

With these and several other skits, the small cast each had several parts. Several decades later, I don't remember all my parts, but two skits and two roles stand out in particular. One is the tale of the Ant and Grasshopper. The Ant was industrious and worked hard all summer, setting aside food for the winter. He was very sure to remind the Grasshopper (yours truly) multiple times that she should do the same, or she would have nothing to eat and would suffer a most terrible fate. To which the Grasshopper replied "I'd rather SING!!!" and then proceeded to tap dance and sing arias, sparkling antennae bopping along . I've been a spotlight hog and dork since way back. Having danced and sang all summer, when the cold and snow finally arrives (it must have been April in Michigan), the Grasshopper begs the Ant to share his food. In an act of  charity, she is promptly turned down and has a fabulous death scene. I believe it was my first and only death scene to date.

The other skit that sticks me with me is the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. My friend Jason played the Tortoise and had a great turtle costume. He spent the entire five minute scene plodding along the stage singing: 

"You've got to keep on, keeping on. That's how it begins. You've got to keep on, keeping on. Slow and steady wins." 

Jason (probably) won't be offended if I say how ridiculously cheesy it was. But so AWESOME.

We all know the story. The hare teases him, runs circles around him and eventually burns out. The tortoise wins through perseverance and patience.  

In the world of running and work, there is much to be learned from the ant, the tortoise, and yes - even the grasshopper. Successful people work hard, set goals and make steady progress. They recognize the pitfalls of starting out quickly and flaming out too soon. They know that luck favors the prepared (ha ha) and strive to be prepared.

Those back-of-the-packers like me know that no amount of perseverance will cause us to win a marathon. I run 12 minute miles. No amount of training and "keeping on" will bring me to the finish line, 26.2 miles away, in 2:40. The Rabbits are the Rabbits because they have long legs, the right genetics, but also the preparation of the ant and the perseverance of the tortoise. They are not Hares. 

But in our quest to improve our 5k, 10k or half-marathon times, better ourselves and further our careers, let's not forget once in awhile to chuck it all, throw on the tap shoes, the sequined antennae and burst forth with "I'd rather SING!!!" 

If I find actual pictures from Summer Children's Theater, I will  post them!

Here comes the singing Grasshopper!!!