Original Text (cont'd)

I quickly exited the area seeking the solitude of my car. In my car, I sat down and cried, alone, humiliated by my momentary lack of self-respect. For five minutes I cried, wondering how, after all I have accomplished in my life, could I do this to myself. I concluded, at the end of that duration, that nothing, no setback, no defeat, no loss of property, money, friendship, could ever match the indignity of my conscious choice to quit.

I now wear the jersey from that race with more pride than that of any received from races I have finished. The jersey symbolizes the maxim by which I now live, that is: there is no shame in being out-performed or beaten by a better competitor, there is experience to be gained in that outcome. However, losing by a lack of total dedication to a commitment is absolutely unacceptable, regardless of the percentage of commiserators, nothing is gained; but so much is lost.

I have resolved to never again lose.

Edited Text (cont'd)

I left quickly, seeking the solitude of my car. For five minutes I wept, wondering how after all I had accomplished in my life, I could have made the decision to quit. When I finished crying, I vowed never to quit again. I could have handled losing the race, knowing I'd tried my best. What I couldn't handle, was the shame of giving in to my fears and exhaustion.

I wear the jersey from that race more often than any I've received from races I have finished because it reminds of the maxim by which I now live: There is no shame in being out-performed by a better competitor. There is experience to be gained in that outcome. But there is tremendous shame in losing due to a lack of dedication. Nothing is gained; but much is lost.

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