I have recently become really inspired by other "normal" people out and about getting exercise and just being out of the house.
My first realization of this new inspiration for me was at the St. Patrick's Day 8K in DC. A father and daughter team, who were running in support of Samaritans' Purse in "Memory of Jack," and I kept about the same pace for a large part of the race. The little girl was about 9 or 10 and her dad was amazingly supportive. It sounded like they had completed a similar distance before and they were trying to beat their time. Gently pushing his daughter to go a little faster if she wanted to, but always letting her stay within her comfort zone. He kept telling her "You've got this, this is your race." There were many times that they were running together holding hands. He also kept telling her how proud he was of her for pushing herself and completing her goals. They were great motivation for every one around them. She had a great attitude as well and I never once heard her complain about a single thing. As we approached the finish line, I told them both how they were inspirational and that I hoped one day to run races with my kids.
Out on my long run yesterday, I ran around one of the local parks where there are a few baseball fields, a soccer field, a basketball court, and lots of open space. On one of the baseball fields a father and son were practicing. The father was batting and the son was running all over trying to catch the balls his dad hit. A little further down the trail, another father was taking a walk with his toddler and she was full of laughter. Racing across the basketball court, a grandpa chased his two young grandkids on their tricycles while his older grandson was shooting hoops.
Out in the woods, about a mile later, there is a nature preserve where I passed a large family group out for a trail walk. I smiled as I jogged past. The three little girls in the group would lag behind to look at something or try and move some sticks and then run back to reach the group. They climbed mountains of leaves and sticks and crossed creaks on sturdy logs.
I was really excited to see so many kids and families out together. It's a sure sign of spring. And I hope spring sticks around.
