Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 30.08.2007 (Article Archived on 13.09.2007)

This past weekend, a dedicated group of people participated in the Dew Pond Run. I have to confess that this time around, I gave it a miss.

Thanks to being on vacation (and I have to admit being a little lazy) I simply have not done enough exercising recently.  Having participated in several previous Dew Pond Runs, I know how difficult an endeavour it is.  So a tip of the hat to all who had more fortitude than I, and turned out to put themselves to the test.

Ascension Island has a history of sponsoring events that not only raise money, but are physically challenging as well.  The Girl Guide groups and the school kids have often done the big loop from Georgetown to Two Boats.  The Boy Scouts have been seen pedaling from the NASA site to Georgetown.  A huge contingent of Islanders has been seen walking, running, bicycling and pushing children in prams on the runway walk.  Previous Dew Pond Runs have seen diverse groups of people managing to climb up what I know to be a very tough mountain.  And let’s not forget the RAF Triathlon, the swimming, bicycling and running!  Recently the US Base held a relay run around the loop that brought out young and old.

So why do we challenge ourselves?  Why do we push ourselves to reach the heights such as the Dew Pond?  Why do we put up with the heat, the rain, the pain of training, the blisters and sore muscles?  For each and every one of us, there is a different, and often, very personal reason. 

For many, it is simply a personal challenge.  We simply want to prove to ourselves (and sometimes to others) that we are capable of tackling such a difficult challenge.  For some, it goes so far as to aim for the top, to finish at the front of the pack.  For others, it’s simply a reward to finish, even if we are the last one across the finish line.  Completing the challenge is all that counts.  Whatever our personal goals are, meeting those goals gives us a feeling of well-being that will get us through the few days of aches and pains that might have resulted from our endeavour!!