Inspiration comes at odd times...!

I was out running on Saturday, feeling quite smug with myself at about the 6 mile point of a 9 mile route, when I spotted an old man up ahead. I’m assuming he was old – he appeared to be in his late 70s at a guess – and very frail as he was walking with one of those zimmer frames with wheels on, taking only a couple of steps at a time before pausing for a  few seconds to catch his breath and then taking a couple of steps more. And I have to admit I felt slightly sorry for him.

However, as I drew closer, I spotted hanging from the frame was what looked like a fairly new plastic bag from one of the shops I’d passed earlier, about a 1/2-mile back, with a few items in. Making a few inferences from what I saw wasn’t too hard – I’m guessing of course but I reckon you’d come to a similar conclusion: this elderly, frail chap was making at least a mile round-trip to the local shops, despite it taking him several seconds for every couple of paces – much more than an hour at my rough calculations to get there and back.

As I passed him, my pity turned into a deep respect and I felt humbled and inspired. His trip to the shops was probably more physically demanding for him and took more will-power and determination than my 9-mile run. Puts things into perspective eh..?

I’m running the Liverpool 1/2-marathon this coming Sunday and every time I think I’m feeling the strain, or feeling a little too proud of myself, I’ll be thinking of that man’s shopping trip and just getting on with it!