AU Edge
As someone whose entire year ultimately hangs on the result of Roses, I may seem a little hypocritical here. Trust me, I would sacrifice a lot to win Roses, but sometimes winning isn’t the most important thing. At the risk of sounding like one of those annoying motivational psychologists, sport is as much about challenging yourself as beating the opposition. Ultimately, the greatest sportsmen and women, such as Billie-Jean King, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and Ellen MacArthur, who will be remembered as much for what they achieved away from the sporting arena as they did in it.
In June last year I cycled from York to Amsterdam and back, raising over £500 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. For me, it wasn’t about seeing how quickly I could do it; it was about giving it a go to see if I could cycle for 250 miles. And that’s why I’m running the London Marathon. Yes, I want to finish in under four and a half hours, but the real reason is to push myself and see if I can find the motivation to train and, come April, be able to say that I’ve run a marathon. Perhaps the next challenge is to swim the channel, although I think I would call the line at rowing the Atlantic.
Sport is an amazingly powerful thing: it is universal; it transcends boundaries, speaks many languages, and has exceptional reconciliatory qualities. Sport has helped ease conflicts in countries divided by faction and strife. I think MP Tessa Jowell summed it up quite nicely when she said, “Sport has the ability to motivate, inspire and empower people”.
I have finally come to terms with the fact that I am not going to make it as a professional athlete and the only involvement I am likely to have in the London 2012 Olympics is as a volunteer, but just because we’re not elite, doesn’t mean we can’t make a difference.
I’m organising the Ride of the Roses, a sponsored bike ride from York to Lancaster to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. There are places still available, so if you fancy a challenge, email au@yusu.org for more details.
On Sunday March 16, the University of York will be hosting a Sport Relief Mile. The event is open to everyone and will be happening as one of over 250 events nationwide. If you fancy challenging yourself, sign up now on www.sportrelief.com/themile. And if you want a test, why not do it three-legged with a mate? It’s a chance to make a difference. And if running a mile is the last thing you want to do, we’re looking for volunteers to help out on the day too.
Whether you choose to run a marathon, jog a mile or cycle to Lancaster, make sure at some point this term you drag yourself off the sofa and go out and do something different.
