This isn’t going to be a typical race recap, which is why the title doesn’t specify “race recap”. Yes, I raced on Saturday again, and didn’t feel as bad as I would have expected considering I had just done a marathon 6 days earlier. To me my race recap isn’t important in comparison to what the race signified for me.
I learned a valuable lesson Saturday morning. After Saturday morning, I learned I wouldn’t want to “walk in her shoes.” I tried it and didn’t like it. Part of me didn’t even want to try it, because I didn’t want to feel the empathy I knew it would bring. You are all probably wondering what the heck I am talking about. Let me explain…..
I didn’t wake up in my typical pre race way. I slowly got ready feeding R and leaving the house. This race was more about giving back and acknowledging how fortunate we are in America, how much we have and take for granted.
The SpoKenya race is put on by a local church who partners with Spring of Hope. Their focus is building wells for families in Kenya, in order to give access to clean water. It was a “Run for clean Water” if you will. Women in Kenya (and children as well) walk miles and miles every day to get clean water. They carry heavy buckets in the scorching heat for miles, just to have clean water to drink, cook with and wash clothes with.
In America (for most of us), we simply walk 5 steps to the kitchen sink, bathroom, or fridge, turn a faucet or push a button and we have water. Often times, or nearly all the time, we don’t think twice about it. It’s there, it’s always been there, and it’s not going anywhere.
For others it’s not this simple. As a Janji ambassador, we are aware of this issue in many different countries. Janji partners with water.org, giving clean water to families with every purchase made. I “Run for Another” on a daily basis. Each item I have bought or wear, helps to spread the word about the water crisis in so many countries. But I had yet to know what exactly these individuals go through on a daily basis.
I have yet to fully comprehend the suffering, and may never experience it. On Saturday I had a little taste of it. I realized, I didn’t want to “walk in her shoes.” The race had 5 gallon buckets full of water for individuals to carry on their heads for as long as they could. It was a 7k (4.3 mile) race. Most would run the race, then come back and walk a few miles with the buckets.
I didn’t want to do it at first, because I didn’t want to know the feeling. I didn’t want to empathize, because sometimes when I do there’s a burning inside me that wants justice, that wants to do more, that can’t hold it in anymore. I hate to see others suffer. I hate to see pain.
I gave in, and picked up a bucket. It wasn’t that bad at first. But as I went farther from the finish/start area, my arms grew tired and my back hurt. It was hot, and I was already tired from a late night and the race. I couldn’t believe they walk 3-4 miles daily with heavy buckets for water on average (some many miles more). Millions of people don’t have access to clean water, and millions die every year because of unclean drinking water.
I walked in “her shoes” and it made me realize, I lived a pretty comfortable life. Maybe that’s why we don’t like walking in other’s shoes. We get comfortable with on own lives. Yes, we all have challenges we are facing, but others are facing bigger challenges, life threatening challenges.
I realized, I didn’t like walking in someone else’s shoes, because it brought me out of my comfort zone. I had been walking in my own shoes for far to long; growing comfortable. I had forgotten empathy. I had forgotten other people’s sufferings. I focused too much on my own problems and suffering, and forgot to even acknowledge others.
This isn’t to downplay our own challenges. They are hard, but sometimes we think we have the bigger problems and we deserve so much more. My problems seemed smaller after that day, in comparison to those who have to walk just to have clean water. Who have dying family simply because they don’t have water at a turn of a knob.
Post race selfie with my amazing trophy
In the same way this can apply to other areas of our lives. Maybe the grocery store clerk was rude because she’s tired and has 3 hungry kids at home that she’s trying to feed working 3 different jobs. If we walked in her shoes, we would see this, but we only see a “rude lady who obviously needs to learn to smile.”
I saw a sign in a little cafe/orchard store after picking peaches after church yesterday that read “There’s always always ALWAYS something to be thankful for.” I couldn’t agree more!! I drove passed some big houses the other day, and instead of being envious and saying the usual “it must be nice to have a big house like that,” I blessed those living in those houses, and I thanked God for all that I had. I felt better after doing so.
There really is so much we all have to be thankful for, and we would realize this if we only took a walk in someone else’s shoes, even if it was only for a mile or even 200 feet. A walk in her shoes, could possible be the best thing for us.
(For all you curious folk, I ran a 26:35 at the race, and was 1st overall female. It’s my favorite trophy by far, handmade and signifies so much for me. I already treasure it. )
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
Have you ever tried waking in someone else’s shoes? What would it be like to walk in your shoes?