By Sophie Pappas
I’m not a runner. Still pudgy around the waist from the birth of my daughter (ahem … 18 months ago …), over the past six months, I’ve gotten back on the treadmill.
At first, I had no treadmill, but I did have dusty roads on the outskirts of an Iraqi city, with lots of cows to keep me company, as I pushed my jogging stroller over tin cans, detonated mines and rocks. I would run until my lungs couldn’t handle any more dust, or until the baby started screaming for her bottle.
Now, I have the luxury of a gym only five minutes away, or a treadmill nestled in the corner of the master bedroom. It is five steps away, and yet so far … especially on an early morning.
I’ve always said: “I’m not a runner.” But what would happen if I changed that thinking before I ran my obligatory two miles a day?
William Buttars, the center of this week’s cover story, certainly doesn’t tell himself he can’t run. Even though he has every reason to make excuses. He runs with half of his brain working, and he does it with a smile!
Meeting William and his mom, Tiernae, brought joy to my life. Here is an 8-year-old who has never been “normal” and yet, acts as normal as can be. Even though he is technically in special education classes at Pleasant View Elementary, he told his mom he loves school on Mondays, because those are the days he gets to “help the special ed kids.” Sweet boy, doesn’t even realize he is one of the special ed kids!
What would happen if we all took down the mental blocks for things we potentially can’t do, or can do, but not very well? William ran in a school race last year and got 40th place. Even so, he’s still running in another one next month.
Running may never be my forte, but I sure as heck won’t let a little dust or an early morning tell me I can’t do it. I know I look like a fool when I run. But if William can run with a smile, then I have no excuse.
