My friend and training buddy Nancy is from Tampa. Every year she goes back to run a 15K race during the Gasperilla (a famous pirate) festival. This year I had the great honor of joining her. (Actually we never hooked up at the starting line, but we did find each other afterwards)
Since I didn't have anyone to talk to while I was running, I enjoyed having some quiet time (well, there were multiple bands, cheering fans, and thousands of runners, but relatively quiet compared to a normal day at my house). My thoughts kept revolving around what a happy life I have. Some things that really inspired me, and wanted to me to be a better person were:
First, the course was a big loop, so about mile three you could look across and see the wheelchair racers heading to the finish line. As all the runners began clapping and cheering, I had an overwhelming amount of respect for these individuals who don't let challenges get them down and who never give up. Secondly, about a mile later I could see the first of the runners already finishing up. I was so impressed to see these elite athletes who have so much self discipline and dedication to the sport. And, anytime I see a tall thin man I think of another tall thin man who is very inspiring to me, and who could outrun any elite athlete, but for the fact he was watching our five children at the moment. A few minutes later I saw that one of the top finishers was a pretty young boy. He was running side by side with his dad, which made me think of another tall skinny boy who also inspires me, and who is also very much like his dad. Then by about mile 5 I finally caught up to a few runners who had prosthetic legs. It was amazing to watch them run with great agility. Lastly, I saw a lady who had a sign on her back that read "blind runner", and a lady next to her with a sign that read " I am her eyes". I actually got chocked up when I saw them, and realized how much I take for granted. But by far, what inspires me the most while I am running, is knowing that at the finish line, I will see this:
Since I didn't have anyone to talk to while I was running, I enjoyed having some quiet time (well, there were multiple bands, cheering fans, and thousands of runners, but relatively quiet compared to a normal day at my house). My thoughts kept revolving around what a happy life I have. Some things that really inspired me, and wanted to me to be a better person were:
First, the course was a big loop, so about mile three you could look across and see the wheelchair racers heading to the finish line. As all the runners began clapping and cheering, I had an overwhelming amount of respect for these individuals who don't let challenges get them down and who never give up. Secondly, about a mile later I could see the first of the runners already finishing up. I was so impressed to see these elite athletes who have so much self discipline and dedication to the sport. And, anytime I see a tall thin man I think of another tall thin man who is very inspiring to me, and who could outrun any elite athlete, but for the fact he was watching our five children at the moment. A few minutes later I saw that one of the top finishers was a pretty young boy. He was running side by side with his dad, which made me think of another tall skinny boy who also inspires me, and who is also very much like his dad. Then by about mile 5 I finally caught up to a few runners who had prosthetic legs. It was amazing to watch them run with great agility. Lastly, I saw a lady who had a sign on her back that read "blind runner", and a lady next to her with a sign that read " I am her eyes". I actually got chocked up when I saw them, and realized how much I take for granted. But by far, what inspires me the most while I am running, is knowing that at the finish line, I will see this:
1 comment:
even I am getting teary--I need to set some more goals to really feel like I am accomplishing. thank you for inspiring me to do better
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