Heroes

So even though my big relay race is over, I'm still running. I actually quite like it now. When I first started running in June (after about a 12 year "rest" from running thanks to the challenging logistics of running with so many little kids for so many years), I pretty much hated it. As I ran, the Emerson quote my dad had us memorize as kids came to mind frequently and helped me keep going: "That which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but that our ability to do it has increased." I had faith that it would get easier if I kept doing it. And sure enough, it did. I can now whip out 3 or 4 miles without even having "I hate this" enter my mind once. I'm not fast  But I'm pretty decent. And I love the time to think and be out in nature. Plus it can be quite inspiring.

Every time I run, I find new heroes. Here are a few of the people I've seen who help me keep going, make me think, and deserve a little praise:

• a larger mom speed walking while diligently swinging her hand-weights and urging her 3 small children along - two of them pushing the baby in a flimsy little stroller - everyone laughing and smiling.  It would be so easy not to bother even trying to exercise - the kids, the stroller, the heat - plenty of pretty good excuses.  But I see her out there all the time.
• a woman who looks like she's well into her 70's, jogging along at a steady, slow pace.  She's always ready with a smile.
• an older couple walking.  She's out front with her cane and a little limp.  He's a few paces behind with serious bowlegs and a gait that looks painful. She pauses to let him catch up every so often and asks if he's doing OK.  What courage to even get out the door let alone walk a few miles!
• a young mom pushing her 4 or 5 year old son in a stroller as she runs pretty darn fast. Takes me back to when I used to pull both twins in a bike trailer up and down hills to get to playdates at the park.  Maybe some passer-by thought I was a hero back in those days. 
• a large man jogging along, drenched in sweat, red-faced.  But he keeps going.  I saw him again after not seeing him for a few weeks.  He's now less large and less red-faced.  His keeping on keeping on seems to be working!

There are heroes all around us every day.  I love noticing them.