Lance Armstrong Came to Town

It wasn’t until I married an avid triathlete and Tour de France fan that Lance Armstrong became a common household name for me. Had he not made the choice to cheat and then lie repeatedly about it, this morning would have been a very different thing for us – excited jitters and butterflies at the prospect of getting to see a modern heroic icon up close and personal in a very intimate setting.

Unfortunately, because of his choices – and seeming lack of conscience about them – we considered whether we should go at all. But we were really curious to see what he would choose to speak about to a crowd of children at Orcas Christian School. Would they even know what kind of guy they’d be clapping for?

The man who helped found the school used to be friends with Lance, and when Lance registered for the SwimRun San Juan Islands race (which he and his race partner placed 3rd in yesterday), he reconnected with the school’s founder, who asked him to speak at the school.

Lance in black clothes and cap is standing in front of the right window, hands in pockets

I can’t say Lance seems like a changed man after observing him this morning. I have such a heart for people; I want to see them at their best, and to encourage them to get there. I’m all for forgiveness and closure – even a little celebrity doting since Lance is the first one I’ve been around. But he doesn’t strike me as having a conscience about anything.

This morning’s talk wasn’t a prepared presentation. More like a time for questions and answers. After several benign questions on diet, fame, and cycling, I couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room any longer. I raised my hand. Did his obsession to win supersede his conscience? Could he explain the whys of it all? He said everyone except about two guys was doing it, and none of the masses felt that they were doing anything wrong.

Had Lance been a changed guy, I would have been the first to want a photo of him with my family. To pat him on the shoulder and say, “Good going.” But I didn’t even feel like taking a close-up of him. And we were close-up.

An interesting unexpected consequence I felt all day afterward was a heightened respect and care for my husband as a spouse, father, athlete, coach, and example to others for being the kind, humble, honest, reliable person that he is.

Lance, you have incredible ability and drive. You will have my immediate support when you begin to care. There’s nothing you wouldn’t be able to accomplish. My hope is that you open your heart to having a conscience, and that you learn to trust in something greater than yourself. You don’t have to plan it all; shoulder it all; fix it all. Let go and see what’s waiting for you.

And M.P., you are a good man. I’ve seen you help and serve others at the drop of a hat when you could’ve been out doing all kinds of other, more glamorous, self-serving things. Lance needs more people like you who show him what brotherly love is. Keep at it. Your care for him is probably what he needs most. “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9

By the way, if you haven’t heard of one of these races, check out the SwimRun San Juan Islands race description. It’s wild! You run a bit in your wetsuit, then swim across a lake; then run a bit more in your wetsuit, then swim in another lake. All in all, 13 runs, 12 swims, 18 total miles of running, 13+ total miles of swimming, 4 lakes crossed, 2 mountains summited, and 6,000+ vertical feet gained.