Posting Date: May 05, 2011
By: Shari Lifland
Running legend Grete Waitz passed away—much too soon—at age 57 in April, after a six-year battle with cancer. Waitz’s accomplishments are truly extraordinary: she won the New York City Marathon a record nine times, setting a world record in her very first attempt at running the grueling 26.2 miles, in 1978. She won the London Marathon twice, the gold medal at the 1983 World Championships Marathon, and earned a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics. She is credited with single-handedly popularizing the sport for women. Mary Wittenberg, president of the New York Road Runners (organizer of the New York City Marathon), said of Waitz, “She was the first big time female track runner to step up to the marathon and change the whole sport.”
However, I’m not writing about Grete Waitz because she was a sports superstar. My purpose here is to write about Grete Waitz the super human being. In addition to her many accomplishments, she was widely known for being approachable, giving, and above all, humble. She was a role model, not just for athletes, but for anyone who hopes to leave the world a better place for having lived. She was, as they say, a real mensch.
One great lesson we can learn from Grete dates back to her decision to participate in the 1992 New York City Marathon, two years after she had decided that she’d run in the event for the last time. She decided to run the course one more time, to accompany her old friend Fred Lebow, the founder of the New York City Marathon and the man who first invited her to leave her home in Oslo to run in New York City. Lebow was 60 years old and suffering from brain cancer. Picture it: there was Waitz, an elite runner who was used to winning; used to running as fast as her well-trained body could carry her, running side by side with her dear friend, who although in a temporary remission from his cancer, was obviously challenged by the undertaking.
Waitz and Lebow ran the entre race together, finishing in 5:32:35—twice Waitz’s usual time. She said of the experience: “He gave me the strength to run, but it was very hard to run so slowly with him for more than five hours.”
The New York Times described their unforgettable appearance at the finish line: “They finished with their hands clasped and raised over their heads. She would always call it her 10th victory in New York.” Lebow died two years later.
How does this sports story relate to the world of business? Let’s admit the obvious: the workplace—like the world of a long distance runner—can be a lonely place. It can also be a selfish place. (They don’t call business the rat race for nothing.) Especially in today’s challenged economy, where there is so much competition for high-paying jobs, it’s tempting to think only of ourselves. Everyone wants to look good, make their numbers, and bring the greatest value to the organization. And that’s fine—to a point.
Certainly, no one can afford to do less than stellar work. But sometimes, like Grete Waitz, we need to slow down our pace to help someone else. Yes, there are plenty of occasions when it’s quicker and easier to complete a task yourself rather than take the time to explain the process to a subordinate. In a world where patience is a limited commodity and technology offers a constant flow of instant information, we understandably become frustrated when things take longer than expected. But there are times, as Grete’s running in that final marathon shows us, when expediency and personal glory should take a backseat.
If you’re a leader, manager, or salesperson at the top of your game, ask yourself: Are there times when I can take more time to accomplish a task so that I can share my knowledge and expertise with someone younger and less experienced? Am I secure enough in my own abilities to occasionally forgo glory so that I can help someone else shine? Am I interested in leaving a true legacy that lives on in the achievements of all the people I’ve helped find their way?
The answers aren’t easy. It takes a big person—what some might call a hero—to deflect the spotlight onto someone else. Grete Waitz was such a hero. Fred Lebow called her “the queen of the road.” “But,” he continued, “She doesn’t behave like a monarch.” That’s the key: if you’re a true superstar, you’ve got nothing to prove.
Grete Waitz’s legacy continues in many ways. There’s her foundation, Active Against Cancer, which she founded in 2007 to sponsor runners and to support cancer hospitals and patient centers. There is the ongoing work she did for Fred Lebow’s cancer charity, Fred’s Team. There is the great inspiration she provides to thousands of girls and women who lace up their running shoes every day. But for me, someone who runs only to catch a bus or train, her enduring legacy is this: the image of her crossing the 1992 marathon finish line, hand in hand with Fred Lebow after five and a half hours, exhausted and triumphant.
About the Author(s)
Shari Lifland is Editorial Communications Manager for American Management Association. She is editor of the e-newsletters "Moving Ahead," "Management Update," and "Administrative Excellence," and manages content for the Members-only section of AMA's Website.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Marathon great Grete Waitz dies at 57
________________________________________
Associated Press
OSLO, Norway -- Grete Waitz had never run a marathon before the New York City race in October 1978. After it, her name and New York would be forever linked.
The lean Norwegian middle-distance runner, who had set two world-records in the 3,000 meters, was invited to the race as a "rabbit," someone brought in to set a fast early pace for the favorite runners.
Two-thirds through that first marathon, she suffered so hard that she cursed her husband, Jack Waitz, for talking her into it.
Grete Waitz won the London Marathon twice and gold at the 1983 worlds in addition to her nine New York City Marathon titles.
"I was hurting. I was mad. I was angry. I told Jack: 'Never again!" she recalled in 2008, 30 years later.
But in all that rage she found strength. Not only did she win the race, she set a world record -- the first of three. And "never again" turned into eight more wins in the New York City Marathon, a world championship gold medal, an Olympic silver and a place among the greatest marathon runners of all time.
Waitz died Tuesday at age 57 in a hospital in her native Oslo after a six-year battle with cancer. Her husband Jack was by her side, said Helle Aanesen, who co-founded a cancer foundation with Waitz. There was no word on what type of cancer felled the marathon legend, who disclosed no details about her condition after being diagnosed in 2005.
Setting a world record in her first marathon was revealing of Waitz's character. She always pushed boundaries for herself. And in doing so, she broke barriers for women in sports -- perhaps more than she ever imagined.
"She was the first lady of the marathon. She was such a wonderful lady, such a wonderful ambassador for women's marathon running back when it was just starting to be recognized as a serious event," said Rob de Castella, a world champion marathon runner from Australia who had trained with Waitz.
At a time when many still felt that women didn't belong in long-distance running, Waitz proved them wrong with her outstanding performances.
"It was Grete who proved that it was possible for women to compete in the longer distances," said Svein Arne Hansen, president of the Norwegian Athletics Federation.
Waitz won the marathon gold medal at the inaugural world championships in 1983. A year later in Los Angeles, she took second behind American Joan Benoit in the first women's Olympic marathon.
She won the London Marathon twice, in 1983 and '86, the Stockholm Marathon in 1988 and earned five titles at the world cross-country championships from 1978-81 and 1983. Her last victory in the New York City Marathon came in 1988.
When at 37 she finished fourth in New York in 1990, no runner got more cheers from the crowd than Waitz, easily spotted by her graceful running style and blonde hair. She retired from competition after that but returned to the New York City Marathon in 1992, crossing the finish line next to legendary race director Fred Lebow, who had been suffering from cancer and died two years later.
Grete Waitz's Career
Grete Waitz of Norway set the women's world record in her first-ever marathon, at New York in 1978. It was just the start of a stellar marathon running career.
Marathon titles: New York City (9); London (2); Stockholm.
Olympics: Silver medal, Los Angeles Games, 1984.
Worlds: Gold medal, Helsinki, 1983.
Other: Won five world cross-country championships; held world records in marathon and 3,000 meters; still holds Norwegian records in 1,500 and 3,000 meters.
Waitz said that run with Lebow was the her most memorable New York City Marathon next to her first win in 1978.
"She will be remembered as one of the best marathon runners of her time," International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said.
Before becoming the world's top women's marathoner, Waitz competed at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics in the 1,500 meters, set world records for the 3,000 in 1975 and 1976, and was unbeaten in cross-country races for 12 years.
She missed the 1980 Moscow Games because of the American-led boycott.
In a Twitter posting, marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe of Britain remembered Waitz as "an amazing champion and more amazing person."
Retired cyclist Lance Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour de France seven times, called Waitz "a good friend and an incredible athlete" on his Twitter feed.
During her own struggle against cancer, Waitz was impressed and inspired by Armstrong's comeback from the disease and said what he went through was "10 times worse."
Waitz started undergoing cancer treatment in 2005 but rarely discussed her condition in public.
"That's not my personality," she said in November 2005. "I've always been a private person. ... I'll do that when I cross the finish line and win this race."
At the time she was optimistic she could conquer the disease.
"I'm crossing my fingers," she said. "I will beat it."
In 2007, Waitz and Aanesen established the Active Against Cancer foundation in Norway, inspired by a similar organization, "Fred's Team," in New York.
"Her aim was to inspire other cancer patients to be physically active, and she worked to establish training centers at cancer hospitals," Aanesen said. "She didn't wish to put too much focus on herself and her disease, but hoped she could contribute in some way to help others."
Aanesen declined to specify which type of cancer Waitz had but said she remained actively involved in the foundation until a week before her death.
Born in Oslo as Grete Andersen on Oct. 1, 1953, she trained and raced in her youth at Oslo's Bislett stadium, which raised a bronze statue in her honor in 1984. Until the early '80s, she worked as a teacher as well as developing her running.
"If Bislett was her cradle, then New York City was her Broadway stage," Mary Wittenberg, the president of the New York Road Runners Club, said at an event honoring Waitz in Oslo in 2008. "When Grete stepped into the marathon, she changed the game. She made it a serious sport for women."
To this day, Waitz holds the Norwegian records in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters.
Wittenberg said Tuesday the Road Runners were "sad to lose a dear friend and our most decorated champion" and praised Waitz's strength and grace.
"When so many people would have crumbled, she stood strong and positive," Wittenberg said.
Waitz is survived by her husband and her two brothers, Jan and Arild. A private funeral ceremony is planned for next week, according to Waitz's wishes, Aanesen said.
Waitz received numerous other awards and honors for her achievements on and off the track.
In 2008, Norway's king bestowed the prestigious Order of St. Olav on her for being a role model for female athletes. Last year she received the International Olympic Committee's Women and Sport Award for Europe.
"Grete is in my eyes one of the greatest Norwegian athletes of all time," said Hansen.
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