There are a great many things I love about Nashville, but one of my ‘top three’ is the willingness of residents to support pretty much *anything* and *anyone* who is trying to accomplish a goal.
This morning, amid gusting wind chills of a finger-numbing 30 degrees, Hooping for Hope trained for a full 7 miles. Clocking in at about 18mins. per mile, we were quite pleased, especially considering that we had to cross downtown streets and “hoop train” (chugga chugga choo-choo!) on the narrower sidewalks.
Each of us (and I’m referring to my non-hoop readers, too) draws from an inspiration, something that helps us forget how little we feel our hands (quite a blessing, actually, since they tend to bruise after a mile or so of off-body work) and helps us to push through the niggling voice that whines, “but this is haaaaaard.” Sometimes, that inner inspiration is all we’ve got to urge our bodies onward…
… and sometimes, you’re a lucky resident of Nashville. Cars see us hoopin’ along and they honk, or flash their lights, or lean out the bus window to hollar a few “WHOO-HOO!”s; these are our audience of strangers who, though unsure of what they are witnessing, are nonetheless determined to convey their support. While passing a church, an entire group of people got out of their bus to clap and cheer us forward — a literal standing ovation!
As we pass runners on the street (or, to be more precise, they swiftly swoop past us), gifts of encouragement are exchanged, an acknowledgement between would-be marathoners of “you’re flyin’ at an insane speed, whilst I prefer a plastic orbit of pink, but we’re both striving towards a mutual goal.” Pedestrians chuckle and give us a generous berth as they politely ask for permission to take a picture, or for an explanation of what we’re doing; they nod and smile, wishing us good luck.
I feel very blessed to be able to participate in a program like Hooping for Hope; I feel even more blessed to participate in such a program with such wonderful women as my fellow hoopers. Adding such an outpouring of support from the (complete strangers!) of Nashville, what can a gal say..?
My cup overflows.