An excerpt from The Race
by D.H. (Dee) Groberg
So in the end, I realize that the only person to dedicate this poem to is you! To everyone who has ever fallen, felt discouraged, or has wanted to quit while pursuing any type of goal at all. I dedicate it to those who, at the time, were able to muster the strength to get up and try again. I dedicate it to those who, at the time, were not able to muster the strength to get back up. I dedicate it to everyone because it is everyone's story, not just mine.
In this poem, a young runner gets up after falling, again and again and again. Three times. But three is not the important number. The important number is ONE. Get up one more time than you fall.
I equally dedicate this poem to those who have fallen ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times and have not yet found the strength to get up, to try again. This poem is for you too, because this is every man and woman's story. I admire your courage for getting up in the past, and I admire your determination to get up next time, even if it's the first time for you.