"You are an inspiration!" Really?

 

Well, now there are many people out there that do amazing things in life. Like swim the English Channel and Run the Comrades every year, to name but a few. And often we are left in awe of these people every time. 

We think, Jeez why can't I do that? Well if you think about it you probably can if you train hard enough and put the blood sweat and tears in like they do.

However, often we are part of a WhatsApp group that follows the progress of such wonderful, energetic Humans that dare to do the impossible.

But, what more or less makes me giggle is the fact that, even I, say things like you are an inspiration and ‘come on, you got this, only a half marathon left to go!’ But they have been running for the last 7 hours and they are probably feeling like they are dying. Well you are almost there. 

I can joke about this as I am one of these people that say these senseless things on apps like this. So please do not take offense about what I am saying. Guilty as charged.

But, today I was thinking about the saying that we all say to marvels like these on apps to wish them well. “You are an inspiration.”

Really, out of all the people on this chat group, how many are actually going to be that inspired to take on the challenge and go do it the following year? Definitely not ME!

I can paint you a pretty picture with Paint By Numbers, or all sorts of Crafty things. I consider myself a jack of all trades, but a master of NONE. But Swim an ocean or Run between cities, or even the triathletes that do the IronMan, that certainly would not be me.

I have often asked the question, Who in their right minds would like to go full out exercising for 6 to 16 hours straight? No breaks or interruptions? I would not even finish the ocean swim of the half IronMan, as they would be pulling me out of the ocean in a body bag. ( In my mind right now I can see myself taking a body bag with me and getting in there myself when I feel I can’t anymore not to waste too much time.) And, I am pretty sure that would be after countless hours of practicing and exercise, training to get fit.

I must say though that I marvel at these Human triumphs as they are truly fantastic. Perhaps that is what we should say when we are not the athletic type and we will never have that inspiration to follow in their footsteps. “You are a Marvel" 

I have trained for a 10km run before in my life and that took me about one and a half hours to do. I actually did two 10km runs that year. I must say that when you finish this type of event you feel so exhilarated, all be it dead tired, the sense of accomplishment is such a kick that the bug sort of bites you after the fist one. But sometimes life gets in the way and then you decide that, maybe I will do it again next year. Next year comes and life is messy and you say ok soon. Eventually you don't end up doing it again ever. Which is the absolute truth in my case and now my health too a nasty turn this year and it was the year that I actually just started with the training. Bought a new Garmin watch and everything and started my first week and BAM, Allergies and everything got in the way. 

But I feel like it is time that all excuses and the usual “I'll start next week" come to an end and today is as good a day as any to start. Maybe one day someone will say idiotic things like, “you have got this.” “You can do it" (sorry this one is also quite a funny one for me, as I probably would not be attempting it if I did not think that I can do it.) and last but not least “You are and inspiration" to me when I complete my next challenge.

So, so maybe Marvels like these are actually an inspiration to others. They just need a kick in the pants to get going.