How do you define an athlete?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/10/2016 (3506 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

My task was to redefine a Rubik’s Cube. To put one word or symbol on each space to define who I was.

Do you know how many squares there are on a Rubik’s Cube? A lot.

What am I? A wife, a mom, a speaker, a radio show host, an optimist, an adventurer, a sister, a daughter, a friend.

What are you? A lover, an artist, an accountant, a teacher, a mentor, a dad?

Who are you? A foodie, a singer, an office worker, an encourager?

Who am I? A coach, a woman, an author, a risk-taker.

On and on I went, identifying and labelling myself. And for the most part fully able to own every word I spoke and wrote down.

Until l got to one. Athlete.

I said out loud, “I am an athlete.”

It felt very wrong. I only said it because other people have sometimes called me that but whenever I heard it I felt uncomfortable.

Me? An athlete? LOL.

People who have said that don’t know me very well. Don’t they know that I was picked last for everything in gym class? Don’t they know I can’t keep up no matter which sport I try? Don’t they know I practically make my living coming in last?

No, they don’t know and that’s why they call me an athlete. I know better.

Then I looked at the facts.

I have run three half marathons and am currently training for a full. I have done four long distance bike tours, I play ringette, I go to the gym, I do yoga, I work out with a trainer once a week, I lift weights, I watch my diet.

If I looked at someone else who did those things I would probably say that they were an athlete or, at the very least, athletic.

So how can I be pushing 51 years of age and not be able to own this part of myself?

Athletes compete. Athletes win. Athletes don’t have hips. Athletes are young. Athletes are fast. Athletes don’t come in last.

Then again, maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe athletes push themselves? Maybe athletes work hard to get better? Maybe athletes encourage others to share their love of activity? Maybe athletes can be any age and any shape?  Maybe athletes finish upright and smiling, hips and all, or maybe athletes don’t finish but train and try.

I decided I didn’t actually know what an athlete is,  so I asked Siri.

“Hey Siri. What’s a athlete?”

“A person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise.”

Aha, there you go. She said proficient.

It’s settled, I am not an athlete.

“Or…” she continued, “a participant in a sport, exercise or game requiring physical skill.”

Oh. A participant. Well, how about that. I guess that makes it official then.

My name is Stephanie Staples and I am an athlete.

I’m owning it.

What are you? Who are you?

Own it. Every word.

Stephanie Staples is a community correspondent for St. Vital. She also hosts momondays Winnipeg. Contact her at stephanie@yourlifeunlimited.ca