I run because...

I will never forget running my very first 10K distance with my dad through the streets of Columbia.  And it was 16 or more years ago.  It was during that time that my dad ran his first two marathons, so 6.2 miles was nothing for him - but for me, it was so much more!!!  I, myself, was only running 2 miles a day for a little exercise.  I left my driveway with him that day planning to run the first 2 miles with him and head home, while he completed his 6.2.  After the first 2 miles, he encouraged me to keep going - and I did...because more than anything I wanted to make him proud (and also, because I thought if he could do it, then so could I).  So, I ran...and I ran...and I ran....  I will never forget coming up Church Street at the end of that big hill and thinking I was almost at the end.  When I topped the hill, I fell into my driveway with an equal mix of exhaustion and elation!  I was proud and my dad was proud, too! 

Fast-forward to 2010!  I was running some for exercise off an on, but nothing very serious.  My dad had started running again too, but just a few miles distance each time.  I remembered how I felt running that 6.2 miles and I wanted to have that feeling again, so I began a 10-week to 10K training program.    During that timeframe, the Columbian Progress was getting ready for their first annual 5K run for Relay for Life.  My dad signed up the whole family pretty much!  A few weeks before the Columbian Progress race, I completed my own 10K training and was very pleased that I had accomplished that goal again, but I was more excited to be running in my very first upcoming race. 

The morning of the 5K, the weather was looking horrible...but it wasn't raining (YET!)  We were all pumped to be running in a race together so were hoping the weather would hold off.  And it did...just until the foghorn blew and it was time for the race to start!  So we ran in the rain.  We ran with barely even being able to see in front of us.  We ran with water sloshing in our shoes.  We ran through puddles of rain and lightning strikes - and if I recall correctly, a tornado watch.  And it was AWESOME!  There was nothing greater to me than crossing the finish line. 

And I wanted to cross more!

So, I signed up for the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA where I live!  That distance was HUGE to me, and I wasn't sure if I could do it, but I wanted to give it a try!  Daddy listened to me as I talked about my training runs, and never said much at first...but pretty soon, his 3 to 4 mile runs turned into 6 to 8 to 10 miles, and though at first he wouldn't admit it, I knew he had his sights on the Half Marathon too! 

So, we ran that day on 10-10-10.  We ran together side-by-side for the first 3 miles and then we were off on our own to run our own race!  He had done 2 marathons before.  I had not.  I was nervous and anxious but motivated!  BECAUSE of my dad!  He had shown me through his life that if you wanted something bad enough, and if you had put in the work to accomplish that, you would!  Plain and simple! 

I was still recuperating from the half-marathon, and will never forget my dad calling me several days later.  I was standing in my laundry room and he said, "Uhmm...I think we need to do the Rock-n-Roll Marathon in New Orleans...the full marathon!"  I was thinking to myself..."you have got to be kidding me."  He was saying, "Well, you don't have to do it, but I am!"  Well, of course, I was NOT going to let him do it without me!  I had always admired him for doing the 2 marathons many years ago, and I had always wanted to do one myself!  And now was the time!

We each began our training.  And then on December 15...two months before the February 13th Rock-n-Roll Marathon, I had a 23 mile training run and injured my knee.  I spent the next few weeks crying because I couldn't run and then started physical therapy after Christmas.  I was so discouraged and disappointed.  I wanted to run - because it was a personal goal of mine, but I also wanted to run a marathon with my dad!  I worked with the physical therapist and actually did very little running during those 8 weeks, but had been cleared to run the half-marathon!  But, I didn't want to do the half - I wanted to do the full marathon with my dad!

And that is just what we did!  I will never forget standing in that corral before the race began with my dad!  I was shaking uncontrollably - and though I blamed it on the frigid temperatures, I am sure it was more from my nerves than from the cold.  While we were standing there, I pointed out a shirt that had the verse from Isaiah 40:31 "I will run and not grow weary, I will walk and not be faint."  Daddy smiled and said, "Hmm...I never knew that was in the Bible."  We would later find, that on that day, in his training log, he had scribbled that very verse! 

Abbey, Rob and Jay were running the half-marathon that day too, and before the race began Rob told me..."All you have to do is remember two things...START and FINISH!" 

I will forever be grateful that I had that experience with my dad.  It was definitely an accomplishment of a lifetime for me personally - but to share that with him, was even greater! I started something that day, and five long hours later, I had finished something I never thought I could.  And to do that with my dad was life-changing! 

So......

I run because of him!  I run because of his example in my life.  I run because he taught me that I could!

And now I run because... I want to honor his memory! 

Come run with me....

(Amber)

Registration Forms

You can now download and print a registration form on this website (see link on right side of page), or from our Facebook page - Dash 4 Doc 5K.  [On Facebook, go to left-side of the page and click on Scribd and you will be directed to the registration form.]  Registration forms will also be available to pick up at the Internal Medicine Clinic in Columbia, MS. 

Please send your checks made payable to: Dash For Doc 5K to Dash For Doc, 1401 Church Street, Columbia, MS 39429 or submit by paypal to dash4doc5k@yahoo.com.  If you submit payment by paypal, you will still need to send in your registration form to the above address.  Indicate that you've paid by paypal on the Registration form. 

After the race, a free admission 1 Mile Fun Run will take place at either the Columbia High School track or the Friendship Park walking track for kids to participate in.  Exact location to be determined later. 

You can register for the race on the day of the event, but t-shirts will not be guaranteed on race day.  There is a special early admission price as well. 

All net proceeds from this event will benefit the American Heart Association. 

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at dash4doc5k@yahoo.com, or leave a comment in the Comment section of this post!

Thanks so much!

Lace Up Your Shoes!

Lace up those running shoes, and join us as we hit the streets of Columbia, MS in memory of our loved-one, Dr. Bryan F. McCraw.   Whatever he did, he did 100%, and his love of running was no exception!  He taught all of us that no matter what we set out to accomplish, we could do it!  And because he always accomplished his goals, we are believers that we can too!  Successfully finishing 5 marathons, a half-marathon, several 10K's and many 5K's, he inspired all of us to lace up and move!  Whether that be running, walking or a combination of both - we are moving in the right direction - and we'd like you all to move with us.  Days before his death, he ran a 26.2 mile (full marathon) training run in preparation for a June 2011 San Diego marathon, and was making plans for others...but none quite as great as the ING New York City Marathon in November 2011.  Selected by lottery, Dr. Bryan McCraw was in!  We were all going to New York to watch him run a marathon of a lifetime.  While we know that it matters nothing to him now that he won't be running in New York, we want to celebrate his life on the same weekend he would have been in New York City!  We will run the streets of Columbia on a route that was very special to Bryan - a route he ran with his grandson, Austin, on Austin's very first 5K distance.  So...whether it be walking, running, or a little of both...please join us as we DASH FOR DOC!