Jesse was black and in college during the 1930's when racism was high around the world. He was asked to take a stand for black people and the jewish people in Germany and not go to the Olympics. He offered this in retort- (sorry not a direct quote because I can't remember it word for word- but it gets the point across).
"for ten seconds, when I'm on the track, it's about fast and slow, it's not about black or white- for ten seconds I'm free"
When I'm doing a wod or out for a run, during those times, it's just about me.
I don't have 10,000 drop offs and pick ups, it doesn't matter that my sink is full of dishes, or that I was just awarded Worst Mom in the World.
I am not concerned that my bathrooms are overdue to be clean.
I don't care about making dinner.
Those black circles under my eyes mean nothing when I have no mirror for them to stare back at me.
I am not 40.
I am not short, tall, or anything- I just am.
When the clock turns on, my mind is free and I just work. It is my chance to just be me, with no subtitles.
There are no problems and no worries when the clock turns on.
When the clock turns on, all my troubles seem to disappear.
For those five to twenty minutes, it's just about me.
The wod doesn't talk back, it doesn't judge, it doesn't reflect, it doesn't ask for too much, it doesn't leave messes for me to clean up, and it doesn't care- it does what I want it to and it lets me be me.
When the clock turns on, I just work.
Whether it's for ten seconds or twenty minutes, when the clock turns on and the wod starts, I am free.
