A Great Cloud of Witnesses

The weather has warmed up quite a bit here in the Shenandoah Valley.  For the first time in weeks the temperature is over 32 degrees before 10:00 AM.  As I began my run, I noticed that there was melting snow already.  Spring is coming.  This morning’s run was very encouraging.  I ran 3.1 miles in 39:30.  This means I ran a 12:44 mile.  Almost 16 seconds faster per mile than Thursday.

As most of you know, I run in our city park.  On the park property there is also a National Guard Armory.  This morning must have been a reservist weekend.  I ran past the armory and up the hill into the main part of the park.  On the downhill I started passing several runners with Army t-shirts on.  When I reached the bottom of the hill, there was quite a group of Army personnel.  They had most of the path blocked, but their leader yelled, “make a hole.”  Magically like Moses parting the Red Sea a path opened up for me to run through.  That was cool.  What was even cooler is that several encouraged me to continue on, shouting “keep up the good work.”

A little later I passed a man walking in the opposite direction.  He encouraged me as well. “Keep it up.  You’re doing a great job!”  This can really make your day.  I passed him again and he told me to “keep going and have a great day!”  This man didn’t know me.  Neither did the Army people.  But they were willing to encourage someone along the way.  How cool is that!  I encourage you to do the same.  Pressing On!