Be Like Nicole
At the Scottish Half Marathon, I expected to enjoy the course’s stunning views while plodding along at my usual steady pace. What I didn’t expect was to meet someone who would remind me what true character looks like.
Her name was Nicole—I only know that because it was printed on her race bib. At mile 2.5, after I had taken a hard fall, she stopped to help me. While other runners pressed on, Nicole stayed by my side. She held pressure on the cut above my eye, reassured me, and refused to worry about her own finish time.
When I urged her to keep going, she looked me straight in the eye and said words I’ll never forget: “A race is just a race. People are more important.”
Later, during the out-and-back portion of the course, I saw her. The look on Nicole's face when she realized I was running again is etched in my memory. Relief, pride, joy—it was all there.
In that moment, I didn’t just feel supported. I felt inspired. And it didn’t hurt to hear her yell, “You’re a beast!” while giving me an ecstatic fist pump as she ran by, either.
I may not know how to find Nicole to thank her, but I will always remember her. When I think back on this race, the bruises and the medal won’t be the first things that come to mind. Nicole will. She was grace personified.
The Bigger Lesson
Nicole reminded me of the kind of person I want to be. The kind of leader and caregiver I want to encourage others to be:
Ready to help when needed
Inspiring others with both words and actions
A role model in a world that desperately needs more of them
In business, caregiving, and life, we all face a choice. We can speed past in pursuit of our own goals, or we can stop, connect, and show up for someone else.
Nicole chose people over pace. And in doing so, she made all the difference to me, a stranger.
My Challenge to You
This week, think about where you can “be Nicole” in your own life. Maybe it’s pausing to listen to a colleague, encouraging a friend who’s struggling, or lending a hand when you’d rather keep moving forward.
Because at the end of the day, races are just races. Deadlines are just deadlines. But people? People matter most.
