Just how tough it is!

When I started marking my time for the number of laps done, the objective was to knock off a second a day to better my time. So from a plus 21 minutes for 5 laps (3750 m), I have over the past 7 months managed to come under 18 minutes at a very consistent level - in fact, my worst timing for 4 laps at one point is now my best timing for 5 laps and my best for 5 (again, at one point of time) is now my best in the second round. Funny, it feels great - running the said distance in 17:50 and less. Just to put things in perspective (and also to bring me back to ground zero!) the world record for 3000 metres is 7 minutes and some seconds (less than 30 seconds, if I recall correctly) while the 1500 metres has been standing at 3:26. Sure, I am not going flat out for pace, nor am I following a strict high energy diet regimen, but still....
I am in two minds - should I concentrate on 1500 metres or 3000 metres? Actually, even if it's the latter, there's a lot of ground still to be covered - only if can halve my timing for 5 laps can I think of moving ahead. Can I?
what I have also realised is just how tough it is to knock off a second from your previous day's timing - a second on its own looks innocuous - try beating your time by a seond and you'll know what I am talking about. There's also a new found admiration for athletes who manage to do so at world events with regularity.
Oh, there's this gentleman I bump into on most mornings - probably nearing middle age, a lecturer, who's been after me to join his direct marketing venture despite my making it clear to him my reluctance to do anything with marketing! Not that he's showing any undue interest in me - I have seen him accosting other morning walkers - just wondering if he will be avoided by others too just like I am trying to avoid him!
Today, though, was pretty bad for me - just two laps in each set and I was feeling the burn - it was like I had lost the grip on my running. Felt quite nullified.
On a different note, a couple of days back, while driving to work, came across this polio-afflicted man begging for alms at a traffic intersection. Now, most of us have the experience of running into these beggars who make sorry faces, invoking some pity in you to extract the chnage from your wallet. What was different about this man was the look on his face - even in an act so demeaning to human dignity as begging, his face radiated dignity and pride - trust me, you wouldn't have been able to shoo him away like the others. It was life's ironic moments when a man stripped of his dignity to live honourably can challenge indignity itself with a countenance that struck a chord with a few motorists. As for me, I was torn by my dilemma - do I give him a few rupees or do i stick to my stand of not encouraging begging. Meanwhile, the signal turned green and the traffic moved just as he started coming my way - there is still no sense of relief of having escaped my dilemma.