Sight Replaced by Vision

This morning, I was scheduled to run 7 miles. I did not finish. At about mile 2, my shin splints started bothering me, so I slowed down. I have had chronic shin splints for about 15 years, so I have learned to bear the pain or just block it out. The idea is to keep going. So, I did that. At about mile 4, I could feel the pain from my plantar fasciitis began to flare. I have had this heel injury for about two years, but it had recently gotten better. Hence, I felt prepared to train for this marathon. In the past and on several occasions, this injury caused me to fall to my knees upon taking my first steps in the morning. The pain was that bad. This morning, the thought of reliving those days caused me to negotiate with myself, and I decided to stop at 6 miles.

After the run, I did not feel bad about cutting corners. After all, I have stuck with my training plan extremely well.

Then, I went to breakfast, and ESPN was airing a story about a 12-year-old young man who battled cancer 9 times to save his sight. He won the first 8 bouts but lost the ninth. Don’t feel sorry for him though. Through losing his sight, he has gained vision – an attainment that has eluded many of us adults.

Tomorrow, I am scheduled to run 4 miles. I will do 5. Not because I will want to, but conversely, because I will NOT want to.

Do more and do better – my new mantra

If you want to see what it is to have sight replaced by vision, learn from this young man: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4695418. (Please excuse the 15-second advertisement).