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)