Sometimes You Are the Inspiration

I have commented many times who inspires me. Running wise I look to people like Dean Karnazes, Joan Benoit Samuelson, or Dick Beardsley. In the non-running world, I am in awe of Nelson Mandela. The common thread in all these people is that they have all been put to the test, and have been a success. We don't think of ourselves as inspiring others, at least I don't normally think I inspire people. Today I was reminded that sometimes YOU are the inspiration.

A woman and her partner were in our store today. I recognized them, as customers I had helped, but it wasn't until the woman in question spoke to me. "You probably don't remember me," she began. About two years ago she and her partner were in the store to get shoes. Her partner was training for a marathon, and this woman was running, but was worried about being slow.

Over the course of my interaction with her, I shared my story of running. I talked about being obese, and how running saved my life. I told her, while I am slow, the goal is to run, and when racing to finish. What she does not remember is that I did see her a few months later at a half marathon. I remember her waving at me.

Today she told me that it was our initial conversation which inspired her to run and enter races. She has run some half marathons since we met. Now she is training for her first marathon - Chicago. She told me she still was not very fast, but she remembered I told her fast did not matter, as long as she was running.

I smiled and thanked her for her kind words. She told me it meant a lot to her that I shared my story, and she was truly inspired by me to run. I admit to being overwhelmed by such comments. I don't think we ever realize the impact we make in other people's lives. Certainly I don't. We think we just live our lives, and that is that. It isn't just that though. We do make a difference, and I am so pleased I was able to make a difference in this woman's life.

Charlie