Yes, you.
The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The
one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe
hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.
You cling
shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel
ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is
all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look
exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d
like to say to you.
You are
awesome.
If you’d
look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and
respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads
to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The
gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it
takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in
motion, in front of others.
You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.
You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.
You’re a
hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up
for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you
cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your
determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They
heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and
improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside,
who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back
again.
You are a
runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving
forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed
by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and
marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will
realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a
true inspiration.
I bow to
you.