April 18, 2010

PATS RUN 2010

Well I finished the Pat’s Run (4.2 miles).  I’m alive…and am painfully reminded that I have a boat load of training to accomplish if I’m to run 13 miles in January.  The motivation there is that I’ve already paid for the race so that should keep me motivated.  I also think it’s time for some new running shoes.  McKenzie woke up real early on a Saturday to cheer dad on :).  She  also wrote me a nice note to encourage me….I “Beast it out” for her.

This is my 5th race.  3 of them 4.2 miles, the other two were half marathons (13 miles).  All but the first run was a way for me to raise funds to help manage the uncovered medical expenses for Bonnie.  Needless to say Bonnie was on my mind and heart as I made race preparations Friday night and ran the race on Saturday.  Running for a cause is a hole lot more motivating then ‘just running’.  Running for Bonnie gave me a reason to get out there and do it.  I wrote in Bonnie’s Mother’s Day card a year ago that I’d start running again….so indeed I have.  Bonnie was very concerned that I would have a heart attack at a young age and leave her and McKenzie alone.  Running was my way of taking a step (well more like a few hundred steps) towards health.

My run was filled with numerous emotions:

  • many wonderful memories of Bonnie (she would have been there cheering me on), reflecting over the past year of what happened
  • sad feelings of Bonnie not being here and simply missing her
  • gratefulness for the friends in our lives
  • today, April 18 makes it 36 years since my mom’s major heart attack (she was 43).  So numerous thoughts of that day and sitting in the ER wondering how God was going to use this situation.  Maybe that’s a question that is timeless for us all as we experience situations in life….God, how will you use this.

I ran faster this year (I think – at least my body feels like I ran faster).  My good friend Matt and his 10 year old set the pace.  Ya they came in a few feet before me.  Besides trying not to trip on the people who were walking or running very very slow, my mind was often praying for the blessings of friendship and support that we had been recipients of over the years.  No doubt running has provided the place for my mind to focus on others and to reflect on my own current reality.

So now I run (for my own health – which is a very good reason to run), in memory of Bonnie and with the desire to be around for many years so I can continue to have the privilege of being a dad to McKenzie (although overprotective at times – which is something reserved for dads).

May we all run the race that is before us.

After the run, I rewarded myself with a trip to the local garden centers :).

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