Posted by
Ron Devito on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 7:28:51 AM
When one considers' Governor Palin's accomplishments, the focus is
almost always on the professional and political aspects of her life.
Many people may not know that Governor Palin is an accomplished
marathon runner. In an interview with Dan Simmons of
Runner's World, Governor Palin gives an intimate portrait of her running life and how it influences every other aspect of her life.
Among
other things, she speaks about a fall that she took in October, 2008
while jogging at John McCain's ranch (the fall was referenced on the
blog author's SuperSonic Sarah tribute video) and how she tried to keep
it hidden. Governor Palin extensively discusses her preferences as they
relate to running -- shoes, music, locations....and her main strength:
[B]etcha
I'd have more endurance. My one claim to fame in my own little internal
running circle is a sub-four [hour] marathon. It wasn't necessarily a
good running time, but it proves I have the endurance within me to at
least gut it out and that is something, if you ever talk to my old
coaches they'd tell you, too. What I lacked in physical strength or skill I made up for in determination and endurance. So if were a long race that required a lot of endurance I'd win (Simmons, 2009, ¶46).
The complete story is in the reference list, but one question and answer warrants pull-quoting and commentary here.
In answer to the question of "Is running non-partisan," Governor Palin said,
Oh,
thank God, it's nonpartisan. It doesn't matter your background, your
demographics, your race, your political affiliation, it's such a
uniting, healthy, fun, awesome activity. It
cracks me up going to some running event and seeing some dude who
campaigned so hard against me, or a lady who's been blogging some mean
comments about me. But we're all there together and we're smiling and
we're having a good time because we're going to do something healthy
and active. We need more of that. That's what sports are able to do.
It's a wonderful kind of diversion from the divisiveness that is
politics or that is life. And my parents, they've got so many friends
from so many different political bents because of all their years
participating in races and organizing races. I was lucky enough to have
been brought up in that atmosphere where I see the value in that
(Simmons, 2009, ¶44).
At the article's close,
Governor Palin expresses gratitude for Title IX of the Civil Rights Act
which gave girls equal opportunities to participate in sports and other
extra-curricular activities. "Sports growing up was my world," she
said. Governor Palin wants all girls to live up to their full potential
(Simmons, 2009, ¶50).
References
Adams, B. (2009). I'm a Runner: Sarah Palin [Photo Slide Show]. Retrieved June 30, 2009 from: http://www.runnersworld.com/photo/sarahpalin/home.html
Simmons, D. (2009). I'm a Runner: Sarah Palin. Runner's World. Retrieved, June 30, 2009 from: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-410--13221-5-1X2X3X4-5,00.html