This year while running the New York City Marathon I witnessed a blind person run pass me with a human guide. I was taken back by this at first because it was new to me, but as I passed another one or had one pass me I became inspired. Here is a person that is not only running 26.2 miles which in itself is a feat, but this person is doing it without being able to see what is in front of him or her. They can not see the crowd and be motivated the same way I can. Yes, they can hear the cheers, but sometimes you need to see a child waiving or a sign to help motivate you. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around how hard it must be to train. You are not only running, but you have to listen to your guide for instructions on where to go. During the race at one point I was unlucky and got mixed in with a crowd and had my legs taken out from under me. As I was trying to stand back up another runner who was trying to jump over me landed on my hip and sent me back to the pavement. I laid there for a minute or two with runners jumping over me in order to prevent a jam up. It was a wheelchair participant's guide that was able to hold people off just enough for me to get up. When I began to run again I knew something was wrong. My hip was in extreme pain and with only ten miles left I was forced to walk. I thought about quitting a few times, but every time I did I would see a blind person running and I would think to myself that if this person can overcome so much and push their bodies to the limit then so can I.
Runner's World recently had an article called "The Blind Side". I encourage you all to read this article and be inspired. Sometimes you need to see what other people don't have in order to realize what you do have.
http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/the-blind-side
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