I have not posted for a while. As years go 2022 seemed uneventful until I started a walk down memory lane of my running.
I ran a full marathon to benefit children in Ukraine March 6. For those who were wondering I did indeed finish my marathon yesterday. Running by yourself in a park in winter had some challenges such as ice covering half the course, somehow having my running hat go missing causing me to run the first loop bare headed and having to create my own hydration stations. These are some positive moments from yesterday: helping the young woman who fell on ice in front of me, having a total stranger tell me "have fun today", going to the first hydration station (my house) in under 70 minutes for 14km a Boston qualifying time and having the beautiful volunteer (Gloria) find me a hat, provide my fluids, pass on messages of hope, and give me a kiss going out the front door. The weather was good for running it was -3, there was no snow, the wind was strong at times 35 km/hr but nothing like the 100km/hr from this afternoon. As with most races as I was finishing, I thought to myself I could have went further, but not faster.
Today I am sore but that is always to be expected, most importantly I did not sustain an injury. The donation board is moving, and some high rollers have pledged support, but I never really concern myself with the numbers I can see.
The Sunflower is The National Flower of Ukraine.
Post Malone Sunflower lyrics.
Then you`re left in the dust
Unless I stuck by ya
You`re the sunflower
Or you`ll be left in the dark
Unless I stuck by ya
You`re the sunflower
You`re the sunflower
The number I always look to is one if even one child can be picked up from the dust and taken from the dark to a place of safety from my running Saturday I am more than content.
September 9
Today I mourn the loss of a young woman. Eliza Fletcher 34 of Memphis was a marathon runner. Last Friday she went out for a training run and never came home. A man who had previously served 19 years in prison for rape has been charged with her murder. Eliza leaves her students, husband, family, and two young sons a gaping hole that can never be filled. My first reaction is to affix blame, look for who, or what society deems responsible say some harsh words to let off steam words that change nothing but may ease my conscience. I have run thousands of times at every possible time of day, and night through desolate areas, not once have I known fear, not once have I doubted coming home. My wife and daughters have had to be more careful, hiking with partners, or running on a treadmill. Johnny Cash was once asked why he wore black? He answered that he wore it for all the things wrong with the world, the oppression, hypocrisy, abuse, death, disease, etc. He went on to say "he`d :love to wear a rainbow everyday and tell the world that everything`s okay. But he would carry a little darkness on his back. Till things are brighter. He`s the man in black." A movement has started in the running community called "Finishing Eliza`s Run." Her body was found at an abandoned house 10km from where she was running. Early Saturday morning I will do my part to finish Eliza`s run. I will run 20km with a weighted backpack, hoping that change is possible. The first 10 km will be to take Eliza to her earthly home, the final 10 km will symbolize her first run in Heaven
October 1
This year's challenge run Centennial hill 15 times to benefit Ratanak International, one hill represents each year I have been a volunteer. Centennial Park has three different hills I decided to run each one five times. The first hill I named the hill of despair. fifteen years ago, 27 million people lived as slaves, 1.5 million were young children caught up in sexual slavery. The most recent numbers I am sure are much higher. Easy to feel helpless as an individual faced with such enormity. The second hill I named complacency. It is easy to feel good about oneself and think one is doing enough. I believe there is always more I can do. The third hill is the hill of resiliency. This hill represents the time when we are so close to a breakthrough but many times, we stop short because we feel we cannot carry on. These are the times I ignore my physical pain and look at the pain of those I run for, and inevitably what I believe will be accomplished by refusing to quit A popular running mantra for marathon runners a few years ago was "left, right repeat for 26.2 miles." Left, right repeat for as long as I can continue to dedicate endurance events to benefit the world`s most vulnerable.
November 6
980 Days have passed since I ran my last live event. Much has changed in the world and in my life, some good some bad. Every race has spectators and signs meaning to encourage participants, some are more helpful than others. Being told "keep it up you look great" at the 2km mark of a full marathon maybe true, but the runner knows how far they still have to go. Being told its all downhill to the finish line on a record day of heat at the 40km mark comes to mind lol Neil Boron. Today was a first as I was late despite leaving in plenty of time. Congestion on the side road leading to the event had me taking one hour for a normal five-minute drive. The mc told me and the other affected runners "don`t worry you will catch them all." Yeah right, I thought to myself. One thing I missed about being in a race are the inspirational runners. One man wore a shirt with the title 100 marathon club member. I asked him his total and he answered 807. One lady wore a shirt with the words "Brain tumor warrior." A blind runner was being led by her guide. Usually, I run for a cause; at the time I choose this race I just wanted to finish a live event. During the past week I realized what this race would mean to myself and others. Sia has a song "Unstoppable" I recommend looking up the lyrics to me they mean the times we put on a brave face and not let the world see what is going on inside. The words ring so true because even in this day and age people still feel stigmatized, weak, alone and ashamed when they suffer from mental health issues.
19 km mark I stomp the ground as I pass the marker. No more COVID19 I think to myself the pandemic and all the aftermath took a huge toll on me and many others. Through the love and support of my family I walked out, bruised, scarred, and a little less of myself but I walked out ready to fight again. This race had a unique feature in that at the 19 and 20 km mark they had "angels" set up, volunteers to help those who needed it cross the finish line. I thought of my two running angels. Kelly who I met by "chance" six years ago on this very waterfront trail, and who is now running in heaven, she ran with me to the 20 km mark, Eliza the marathon runner of two children murdered on a training run I have mentioned before. Sometimes justice cannot be served on earth, dedicating a mid-night run, or purchasing something to benefit a trust fund set in her name will never bring her back but it is all I can do Eliza ran with me to the finish line. Towards the end of the race, I started passing a lot of the pacers, and wondered what my time would end up. I was pleasantly surprised with my unofficial time as I believe I was only two minutes over a Boston Marathon Qualifying time.
Mental health is something we as a society have to get better at. The world we live in is not getting easier. I ended up running this race as a celebration for my mental health, if someone reading this is struggling, please reach out to someone, especially in your low moments. Unlike the hollow government words that were coined in the pandemic. Know that we, everyone who reads this "are in this together." A sign a spectator carried today was HOPE. HANG ON PAIN ENDS!
