Stranger and Inspiration

LOL!!! I am just rolling right now. I just went to see if anyone posted comments on Mike Brookbank's blog post about running into me. Someone replied... "Hmmm, Sounds like love is in the air........" People read the strangest things into writing and, at this particular moment, I am strangely amused by it! :D

I have to say that the camaraderie between one runner and another is something I can't explain. Once you start running races or longer distances...unless you've done it...it's really hard to relate to. And as most of you who read my blog know, there are many, many life experiences which are like that...

Pacing yourself after someone. I've done that in the last two races I've ran...and obviously this weekend. ;) There are different methods of pacing and, unfortunately, I don't have a garmin...so I use my music and other runners. Some people set their sites on objects and run towards them, others know their route, etc... Hard to explain...

Talking about running a long distance for someone when you're struggling... I did that on Saturday. I told Mike I read an article on "Just Finish" and ran most of my 18 mile for my Uncle Glen who passed quite a few years ago. In fact, I spent most of my long run "talking" to my Uncle... Which is when he told me about his grandmas passing away. If I hadn't read the article on Just Finish, I most likely would have been thinking about something else. But in all honestly, dedicating a run to someone who can't run or has passed...it's a wonderful thing and extremely motivating.

We talked about supplements during the run... I even alluded to the dreaded rest area breaks sometimes needed, like after my first GU fiasco. Thank goodness he didn't write about that!

Any who....

Today, I had planned on writing about inspiration and what a wonderful a thing it is. How we can find someone or something to inspire us...and not know that we, ourselves, are inspiration for others. It's just an awesome, wondrous thing.

Just knowing that I, little ole me, inspired someone (completely unknowingly to me) to accomplish a goal... Wow! I was thinking about that alot during my run today. Inspiring others. It just leaves me in awe. I am inspired by many things...but to think that "I" could be an inspiration to others.... All I can say is...Wow....

Today, my training schedule planned for a "rest day". Knowing I have a work function (as in bar night for me leaving my current team) on Thursday, I ran today. I had planned on running the scheduled 5 miles for tomorrow. I had mapped out a run, but got derailed and had to start in a different spot. My run ended up being 6.49 miles...in +80* F heat...and I still averaged about a 9:48 minute mile.

I really didn't think anything about running longer because I was inspired. I thought about how I had inspired someone, how I was running for my Uncle Glen, my Uncle Earl, my Grandma and a few others...

I held my head high and ran.

I also do this little thing with the songs that play through the earphones of my iPod. I incorporate "runner" or "run" or "marathon" into the song instead of the regular words. Corny and weird, I know, but it works for me! :)

Anyway, inspiration comes to us in all forms...we just need to embrace and cherish it for what it is...nothing more, nothing less.