As the man once said, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”

If you are a fan of Ted Lasso, you may recognize that quote, and you most definitely have a favorite of your own. If you don’t know the show (you should watch it) here is a quick breakdown: 

An American football coach is hired to fail by the vindictive owner of an English soccer team.  Enter Ted Lasso, who approaches this adversity with charm and assurance. Instead of attacking or retaliating, Lasso lets it roll off his back as he turns the other cheek, shrugging it off with humor, wisdom and a positive attitude.

Let me just first say that I most certainly am NOT suggesting that we need to be positive all the time. I think we need to feel ALL of the feelings. And really let ourselves be in them. We need to sit in the fire and let the fire teach us. But, I also feel like there is value in enthusiasm and positivity. And there is no question that right now, in our crazy world, a little positivity is needed. It’s probably why Ted Lasso is such a hit. 

I personally feel connected to this show for a couple reasons:

Number 1: Soccer is Life. (It really is in my opinion one of the best sports ever played. I dare you to change my mind)

Number 2: I ALWAYS responded well and performed my best when I had positive coaches. When coaches put me down or yelled, I did not play better. 

Number 3: more and more I believe that we need to talk openly about mental health. I’m not sure of the best way to do that, but this show at least starts the conversation. 

Number 4: Roy Kent (enough said)

In order to express my love for Lasso,  I have decided to pick some of my favorite quotes from the show. For me these were lessons that I could apply to running (and of course life as well. That’s the beauty of it, right?!)

"You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It's a goldfish. You know why? It's got a 10-second memory."

Be a goldfish. In sports this is a concept that we all need to use. If we can’t shake off the mistakes, how can we move forward? I tend to dwell on things in a big way, so for me this is a great reminder. Had a bad run yesterday? Didn’t do as well in that last race as you’d hoped? Well, there are plenty more days and endless races to choose from.  If there’s something to learn from it, take that in and move on. If there’s not (I don’t think every mistake needs to have a lesson) just simply move on. 

“Takin’ on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse. If you’re comfortable while you’re doin’ it, you’re probably doin’ it wrong.”

Obviously this speaks for itself. And boy do we runners know how to challenge ourselves. To the point where people who don’t quite understand the sport are like “you’re going to run how far?!” Or better yet “WHY would you run that far?!” But we know that the answer can simply be ‘taking on a new challenge.’

"I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that's being alone and being sad. Ain't no one in this room alone."

I think this is one of the best aspects of sports. We are never alone. And before you start thinking “well, running is a solo sport and I run alone all of the time.” While that is true, you still are connected by the running community. You still have similarities, go through the same trials, and have common stories. If you are sad about a hard day, or an injury, or a DNF, I promise some other runner somewhere else in the world has also been through that.

"I've never met someone who doesn't eat sugar. Only heard about 'em, and they all live in this godless place called Santa Monica."

LOL. So true. And this hits right to the core for me. I’ve been on every side of the sugar debate over the years. I used to eat cinnamon rolls and frappuccinos with extra whipped cream for lunch. Cut to, years later, a doctor telling me to go on a zero sugar diet, so I would rarely even eat fruit. Currently, I am somewhere in this happy in-between (ok maybe leaning more towards the cinnamon rolls the size of my head side). But, I feel so much better having it back in my life. I absolutely believe that as athletes (and especially runners) we NEED it in a big way. 

"I feel like we fell out of the lucky tree and hit every branch on the way down, ended up in a pool of cash and Sour Patch Kids."

Just to continue celebrating the sugar high, I love the image of a pool of sour patch kids (although for me straight up gummy bears sounds better). But I also love the reminder to be grateful. I tend to forget that sometimes. We really are so LUCKY to be able to run. What a freaking amazing privilege. Don’t forget that. 

"What I can tell you is that with the exception of the wit and wisdom of Calvin and Hobbes, not much lasts forever."

I also think Calvin and Hobbes was full of more wisdom than most things. During my childhood I learned so much from that adorable pair (well, them and the Berenstain Bears). And they are just as magical to me today. But, Ted’s right on this one. We have a limited amount of time here. So, as Mary Oliver asks: “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

(I am leaving you with Calvin and Hobbes, because even a picture of those two is better than anything I could say. And if you haven’t seen Ted Lasso, go watch it and tell me your favorite moment). 

-Laurel Lippard