In my favorite "non-running" running movie, A Knights Tale, they blend in considerable modern day music into a setting of medieval gallantry. I think it is my favorite because of the intense look of determination on Heath Ledger's face as he defies the odds overcoming the social classifications of the Middle Ages. During the first critical jousting scene, they use Queen's classic '80s hit "We Will Rock You" as music to a "video" segment. This soundbite is of course the prelude to Queen's "We are the Champions." So we can make the connection that Champions "Rock." So let's take a close look at the word "ROCK."

In this case, "Rock" is a verb, denoting motion. Some of you may know of the D.C. Talk hit "Love is a Verb." Well, it is a little bit like that in that some words have multiple meanings and the noun "Rock" has been around much longer. So here we go on our word quest...

Now the first definition of this verb according to Merriam Webster is:

    To move back and forth in or as if in a cradle.

Well, I don't think this "lullaby" type action is what the song is referring to. So, on to definition #2:

    a) To cause to sway back and forth

    b) To cause to shake violently, to daze, to astonish or disturb greatly

Now we are talking! Rather than rocking a baby to sleep, the context within the song is more of an intense rattling from an 8.0 earthquake that causes wide eyes to gaze in amazement wondering what just happened and what is coming next. That's what Champions do!

Just as we talked about in XCSI session regarding Murder vs. Manslaughter, there must be intent to do something of a higher degree. So champions are not out there to be mediocre, but rather to plan to do something that will shake up their world. Steve Prefontaine did that. He verbalized strong statements and then had the courage and guts to go out on the track and back up his words with intense and intended actions. In my opinion, he was the toughest one out there, ready to do whatever was needed to fulfill his verbally expressed goals. Muhammad Ali also talked a lot, but I am sure that he decided that he was going to hold nothing back to accomplish his promises.

In the murder lesson, the assailant methodically plans the steps to commit the crime. They plan to do something big and dangerous, and then define the steps to get there. The more excitement developed in the planning stage, the more likely and the bigger the goals can be achieved. GREAT THINGS JUST DON'T HAPPEN ON THEIR OWN! For the most part, you must intend to do something great before you do something great.

So what kind of things rock people's worlds? Winning when you are a big underdog? Dethroning the perennial champions? Being the best in spite of the physical obstacles?

Jackie Joyner-Kersee has asthma and was still the world's best female athlete for nearly a decade. Glenn Cunningham was told as a boy that he would never walk again, but still set a world record in the Mile.

21 years ago, Kerri Strug rocked the world of Gymnastics at the Olympics.

These past two weeks with the Eagle Creek Fire, we have encountered some obstacles that "took our breath away", but what we are more than capable to fight through it, with steps of wisdom, and then take the breath away from our opponents and XC spectators in the area as we ROCK THEIR WORLD! (Because that is what champions of the world do.)