#irun4ds

We’re more than half way through this wonderful year. I started blogging my running journey more than a year ago to reflect and inspire myself and others. I found myself and much more through that. I became a member of a group called I Run 4 Michael which matches people to those with disabilities or illnesses. I waited six wonderful months to be matched with an eight month old baby boy named Kai, who happens to have Down Syndrome. It has been a blessing to welcome him into my life and to help push me further when I just don’t think I can.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela

As Summer quickly approached and Spring was coming to an end, I had this crazy idea that I’d run this 200 mile relay race. How was I going to find at least 8 if not 12 willing souls to be stupid enough to run a relay with me? Well, I did and quite quickly. As soon as our group formed, I found myself surrounded by people I didn’t even know, much less really run with but runners are good people. June soon flow and in came July. As soon July passed, I was quick to realize, this 200 mile relay was here. I hadn’t done much training for two planned half marathons in the Fall. In fact, I had only trained up to 6 miles with no idea how I’d run the other 12.

Last week approached like rapid fire and soon I found myself buried deep in the smelliest conditions, no sleep and poor eating habits. I also found myself deep in conversation with 11 people I barely knew. As Friday morning came, I felt a sort of excitement I have never felt before. Each race is the same (for me) in excitement but the level of hype for this was much different. I came into this knowing the first 6 miles would be a blowout for me but the next few would be made up as I headed North and back South again. As my leg approached, Spur 12, the excitement quickly turned to anxiety as I realized I’d be running into the next town alone. It was not an easy 6.4 miles. I was hot, sticky and hungry. At one point I had almost given up but remembering my buddy, Kai, I knew I had the strength to fight. My next leg, Spur 19, was 5.7 miles in the dark. While that one was also difficult in terms of training, my mind was carried heavily on the fact that I could find the strength to fight. I ended up with two kills (passes) on that leg of my journey. My last leg was much like the first; hot, sticky and hungry but once again the strength to persevere and fight like my buddy will be to be accepted, pushed me to finish strong for my team.