Friday, July 5, 2013

Who's Inspiring Whom?

This evening I decided to walk three times around the .8 track at Tamaques Park. On the way, I realized I had on my jeans - not a good option for walking, especially in this heat. As I pulled into the park, however, any thought of my anticipated discomfort evaporated as I witnessed a man on crutches slowly - very slowly - making his way around the track. His foot/leg was in a cast. What an inspiration! I parked the car in the last parking lot, and began my treck with a definite spring in my step. If he can do it under those circumstances, I certainly can! When I caught up to him, I had to tell him what an inspiration he was to me. He expressed his own appreciation, saying that that gave him encouragement to keep on going. We chatted for a moment, and then I took off at my usual quick pace. I worried about him, though. He had been perspiring profusely, and wasn't carrying any water with him. Besides that, his car was on the opposite side of the track. Just then, I noticed the ice cream truck parked in one of the lots. An idea! So I cut through to my car and grabbed some money to buy some water - which the vendor didn't have - and settled for some Italian ice. I made my way back to him and found out he's diabetic! He also told me he never drank water - even before his accident - while he was exercising. Well, the conversation just kept going. We made our way slowly - very slowly - around the track. I told him about my escapades of the past: The Longest Day (I did a double metric century) and the NYC Marathon (walking it; I can't run!). I also told him about my anticipated pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. He told me that I was an inspiration to him! His determination, though, as far as I was concerned, far outweighed any accomplishments I had done or hoped to do. Even as we neared the end point, he insisted on making it to the rock, because that's where he started from, saying the walk to and from his car didn't count!!! Just who's inspiring whom?!

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