The Meaning of a Race Medal

Dr. Kris Kristopaitis from Somis, California will be running in the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship on Sunday and one thing is for certain, whether he wins the 60-64 division or not he won’t have a medal to show for it - and that’s just the way he wants it.  Here’s his story:

A number of years ago I read or heard someone make the comment, “Try giving away all your medals as you get them, you'll find this a lot more meaningful and satisfying then sticking them in your sock drawer or on the wall.”

I tried it and I must agree that I'm hooked. Over the past number of years I've given away dozens of various medals from marathons in L.A., Alaska, and the Great Wall of China as well as triathlons and all the XTERRA series races I've participated in (Last year he did enough XTERRA races to win his age group championship in the So Cal Series).

I've given them to friends, family, patients, colleagues who are going through tough times such as depression, chemotherapy, injuries and cancer. I choose someone who needs a boost and "honor" them by dedicating the race to them and then present them with the medal afterwards. I always include a little note that says something like:

"May the energy, enthusiasm, devotion and determination of the effort that this medal represents transmit to you and help you heal, help you endure, and help transform your pain and suffering."

One physician fighting cancer, who cherished his medal, would call out "Where's my medal?" if it wasn't close by. He recently passed away and his grandkids selected that medal to be put in his coffin with him along with his many other cherished items.

Those sorts of comments and responses mean so much more to me than looking at a medal on the wall.

From a "selfish" point of view, when I do this it almost guarantees that I'll finish the race as I don't want to deprive a very deserving person from a little boost when they really need it. So at about mile 20 on a tough marathon day when I'd be tempted to pack it in, I remember the sign a bystander was holding at about mile 20 that said:

"If you think this is tough, try chemotherapy"!! That put it into perspective, especially since I was running that year for someone about to undergo chemotherapy. I thought to myself--I think I can endure this a little bit more.

I often think out there, especially on the trails, that I'm blessed to be able to do this, many people simply can't and I'm doing it in their honor as well as my honoree. So look around for someone who needs a boost, tell them you'll run your upcoming race in their honor, present them with your finisher medal with a little note and look for the little brightening from them from knowing that someone does care. That makes it all so worthwhile.   - Dr Kristopaitis

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