Hi, fellow runner.
You just passed me. I was the one shuffling along, with the big butt, big gut, cherry red face, huffing and puffing, sweat running down my face, but by the grace of God, I am out in the Sacramento sun, aiming to get six miles today., (I managed five).
You might have caught me when I was in a good groove. Listening to music on my headphones, I tend to make little ‘jazz hand’ movements when I feel like dancing while running. When you pass me and say, “keep it up, you are doing great!”, your words become music to my ears and they are added to the music, amping up my little “Dance Party, USA”.
You might have caught me at a low point. The negatives roll around my head. Everything hurts. I’m tired. I think I bit off more than I could chew. Why am I doing this again? When you pass me and say, “keep it up, you are doing great!”, your words become medicine to my soul. As you run in front of me, I watch your gait, and for a few seconds, I match your stride and carriage. All the power, strength, and endurance you have is spread to me for a brief moment. It’s enough to redirect my thoughts back to the positive and I know I can finish what I started.
You, just being you, just being out there, putting in your miles, makes all the difference to me. Thank you.
