Amazing Grace and Running

This movie is an incredible testimony to the power of perseverance, of endurance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The film depicts the years of struggle that William Wilberforce underwent in order to abolish the slave trade, including struggles with his own personal health. Ultimately, it was abolished due in large part to his enduring voice and actions on behalf of the oppressed. This movie reminded me once again of the role that endurance/perseverance can play in life, and how those who make a difference in the world must exhibit these character traits. As runners, we know the struggle of endurance on a much smaller scale, but if we can transfer the consistency and perseverance required by running into the other aspects of our lives, this is another way in which running can foster our moral and spiritual growth.

Getting Back to Running?

This is a little more personal of an entry than I usually offer, but I still haven't been able to walk normally, much less run at all, since the first week of January. I want to get back to running for a variety of reasons, but I'm wondering when this will happen. I have an MRI scheduled tomorrow and my ortho raised the specter of surgery to repair a herniated disk. With some brief research on some trusted medical sites, it looks like my symptoms make me a prime candidate for a diskectomy. I've had chronic back pain since an injury in high school, and have hoped to avoid surgery.
My advice, if anyone is interested, is to remember that in a sense each run is a gift to be appreciated and savored. I'd give anything even for one of those runs where you feel like you've got nothing in the tank, just to be running!