Finding inspiration from others

Sometimes I start feeling bad about things, like we all probably do from time to time.  

When I get a bout of fatigue or have pain through my spine & neck (I have scoliosis) or, like now when I'm on an 'upswing' with my weight (I have well, they're not quite sure but thyroid disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and some other issues that all make it difficult to keep weight off), it can take a toll both physically and emotionally if I'm not careful.

I've found that simply by being aware of my surroundings and the people around me makes an impact.  

A few weeks ago I was running

the Ala Wai canal and feeling bad.  I was having pain in my spine and neck (like always) and thinking "why do I even bother?"  I guess I was kinda feeling sorry for myself.  Just then a lady with a deformed leg ran past me.  Her left leg was misshaped and with each step her foot pointed in and on it's side a little. She was booking though.  I know she has to have pain from that.  Didn't stop her.

It reminded me of a man I passed in last year's marathon.  He had one leg that he had to swing out to the side on every step.  Repeat: He was running a marathon, 26.2 miles, on a leg that he had to swing out to the side.  Wow!  That's impressive.  I'll never forget him.  You know he had to sacrifice to get there. 

These are only two examples of people I see every day that have some kind of physical issue.  Yet it doesn't stop them does it? I respect that.  They'll never know how much inspiration I got from them just doing what they do.  - Written by Emily Collins, Owner & trainer of OnTrack Fitness