Rickert, Avatar- Joan Benoit

An avatar is a representation and a desired image of oneself. Avatars vary in physical appearance, representation, and overall meaning to individuals. Joan Benoit is the adequate individual to be my avatar. Benoit is an American marathon runner and is the first ever women’s Olympic marathon champion. She has had a tremendous running career including very painful injuries and surgeries. She won the Boston Marathon in 1979 with a 2:35:15 time, and once again in 1983 she won, taking two minutes off the world’s best time. She also won the first women’s Olympic marathon in 1984 despite having surgery on her knee 17 days before trials. Although she is retired from running now she opened a running clinic, coaches’ women cross country, and serves as a motivational speaker. She has founded multiple races that have attracted top runners from all over the world. I am an avid runner myself, and I understand the difficultly of this sport. Running is an extremely demanding activity that requires intense emotional and physical endurance. Running is also more than just a mere task; it is a way of life that few outsiders can comprehend. Benoit being the first women to win the Olympic marathon inspires me to preserver for my goal to place in a marathon race. She was a pioneer in her time of long distance running and accomplished a task that no women had achieved before. Benoit continued involvement in running and the establishment of benefit runs, running clubs, and coaching embodies the ideal of the ultimate dedicated runner. Benoit’s perseverance, dedication, and overall physical endurance represent all that I hope to be in my life. I pride myself on my dedication and endurance in running and other aspects in my life such as my education. Therefore, Joan Benoit is my avatar because she is a representation of my ideals and all I aim to embody.