One of my goals this week is to go running at least twice, so after work yesterday, I dug out my running shoes and headed to the gym. I used to love running, but getting back to running and being a runner are two very different, distinct things. I am still very much in the “Oh dear Lord, this hurts, and how much longer is this going to last, for the love of God?” phase of getting back into running. It’s unpleasant, but it’s my own fault I have to go through this again, and there’s no way through it but to do it.
I wanted to quit after the first mile or so, but I just kept playing with the speed, running a little faster for a bit, then easing back to catch my breath. By doing that, I was able to cover 4 miles.
When I slowed to a walk to cool down, a woman on a treadmill nearby said something loudly. Since I was the only one close to her, I assumed she was talking to me, so I took out my earbuds and said, “What?”
She said, “That was so inspirational!”
I was lacking oxygen, mind you, and I was tired and worn out, so I had to ask, “What was?”
She smiled and said, “You were! Very inspiring.”
At first, I cringed. When people say someone is inspiring, it typically means they didn’t believe that person was capable of doing whatever they just did. So basically, she was saying, “Who would have guessed your fat butt could stay in motion that long and not die instantly of cardiac arrest?”
But there are plenty of worse things to be called than inspiring, right? And if watching me huff and puff and try not to die on the treadmill motivated that woman in any way, then I feel honored to be the one to inspire her. I smiled too and said, “Thank you.”
When I got home and told my husband about it, including how at first I felt a bit insulted, he said, “Don’t look for anything negative in it. She probably said it because you were out there working hard to make changes instead of just sitting on the couch.” I’m sure it was obvious I was struggling, too, but I kept going. Who knows? She may have hung in there just a little longer herself, waiting for me to cool down, so she could tell me that. It’s cool to think she had an extra-long workout because of me.
When I look at it that way, I can see how silly I was to not automatically appreciate the compliment the way it was intended. I guess I just found it hard to believe I was able to inspire anyone when I have so far to go to my goals. I’m happy she found inspiration in my struggle and in my refusal to just give up. It makes me want to keep going!
Sweat & Sparkle 