Running with Eyes Wide Open

I went to a Personal Development training recently where I received LOTS of really good information about how to be a more efficient leader, a better communicator, a better spouse, a better community member. I learned a TON of stuff. One lesson learned, though, happened without the presenters, without the stadium seating, without the agendas.

Before and after the sessions each day, I took full advantage of the exercise equipment in the gym area of the resort. I enjoyed being able to work different muscles of my body at my own pace and without a parade of people with amazingly sculpted bodies who have been doing their workouts for a lot longer than I have. I felt at home...almost as if I were at my old high school track.

At least that's what I was thinking about while running on the treadmill. During the day, you could look out on the gardens with their beautiful landscaping. Since it was nighttime, all I had to look at was my reflection in the mirror-like glass. I had been running for about 20 minutes. I was ready to quit, but the young girl, whom I did NOT know, was running beside me. Of course, my pace was just a little faster than hers, and anytime she sped up, I made sure to speed up just a little more. I'm not really competitive, but, that evening, something inside me kicked in.

I looked at the time left on my run. I knew if I sped up just a bit, I could complete the next 1/4 mile in record time (for me).

I pictured myself running on the track at home. I could see the starting line as I passed it on my final lap. I could see the football benches to my left and the stands to the right. I could see the supply barn at the end of the straightaway. Then, I could see, out of the corner of my eye, the goal post as I was passing it to my left.

What I didn't know, in my visualization exercise I had been doing, was how effective I had been. I was so proficient that I had actually closed my eyes and still seen everything as if I were there--only I wasn't there. I was on a treadmill and running ever-so-slightly slower than the pace the treadmill kept.

Suddenly, my foot slipped off the back of the treadmill, causing a chain reaction that led to some AMAZING acrobatics in order to keep from falling to my knees and being flung across the workout area into the seats of the racquetball court viewing area.

After my amazing recovery, I regained my composure. It was only then that I noticed there was more than just the one other runner close enough to see my near wipe-out. The audience was pleased, I'm sure. And somewhere, someone else is writing a blog about some goofball who considered himself 'Chariot of Fire' material and nearly killed himself on an evening run! From now on, I'll be running with my eyes wide open!