What do we miss?

On Saturday, I was out for a longer run on one of my usual routes.  I stretched the route out with a couple 1 mile loops at the end on one of my favorite trails.  As I came around the backside for the third time, I glanced to my left into the woods and was surprised to see a bright red sleeping bag on a bright blue tarp and there was definitely someone inside.  I already knew that some of the local homeless camped out in there periodically, but normally they're out of sight so they won't be harassed by stupid teenagers or the police.

What really shocked me was that I didn't see him/her until my third loop.  I like to think I'm a decent observer of the world - I tend to do more watching than talking.  I like to think that I have eyes to see the marginalized and oppressed people around me, regardless of how many times I've seen them before.  And sometimes I like to think that I actually care.

How had I missed this guy before?  It was morning so it was unlikely he had just shown up.  It made me wonder - what have I missed lately as I'm running through life?  Do I get so caught up in my agenda, in the path ahead of me, the place where I know I'm going, that I forget to look at the people around me and see them?  How many people have gone unnoticed in my life?  Ask any of my students and they will tell you (I hope!) that I believe one of the most important things we can do in life is love and serve the people around us.  A necessary part of that is seeing them first.  I don't want to run through life and miss the important parts.

1/22:
8.5 miles, 8:11/mi
Legs felt good and I probably should have done an extra mile or two but I had to get up to Seattle for a work conference.

1/25:
3.75 mi, 7:53/mi
Kind of a light week as I get ready to start the marathon training more intensively.  Didn't have the space to get a run in at the work retreat.  Legs felt heavy because I ate a lot of crap.  Hard not to do when the food is delicious and free.

1/26:
Played Ultimate Frisbee for a couple hours - more fun than running intervals on the track and a fair amount of sprinting involved.  Won't be able to do this much during the heavy training so wanted to take advantage of it now!