My running journey is so much more than logging the miles and lifting the weights. As I have been getting more serious about all of this, I have also watched someone close to me go through the unthinkable – his 18 month old son was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.
As a parent, I could not imagine the pain and fear that he and his wife (along with their other children) were going through. I am proud to say that I am part of a pretty amazing community that has circled around this family, and is offering so much help and support. There were so many runs and workouts that I never thought I would make it through, and I would tell myself “If Atticus can fight cancer, I can finish this run” Atticus and his family are my inspiration for many of my efforts.
I work in Social Media, and one day in one of the groups I am part of, I came across I Run 4 Michael. I hear “Hey, run some extra miles for me while you are out there” all the time when people ask me about my training. But these comments are from people who don’t like running or don’t want to run. But what about people like Atticus and his parents (I can promise they don’t have much time to run with his treatment schedule) That is what I Run 4 Michael is all about, dedicating your miles and workouts to someone who can’t run. The whole idea quickly grabbed my heart, and by the time I was finished reading through the website I knew that I was going to sign up to get matched with a buddy.
www.whoirunfor.com
As of today – I am number 2865 on the waiting list! I am still looking at probably about 4 months or more before I get matched with a buddy, but I can’t wait. I am so very excited. I am already making plans of the things I want to do (besides dedicating those miles and workouts). I am also amazed and humbled by how many people are willing to step up and offer support to complete strangers. It just reinforces my thought that most runners are a special type of people. Until I have my match with I Run 4 Michael, I am going to keep dedicating my miles to #TeamAtticus.
If you are interested in signing up to become a buddy, visit www.whoirun4.com and read through all the requirements. If you want to request a Buddy for your child with Special Needs, also visit www.whoirun4.com. There are so many runners waiting to offer you their moral support in addition to their miles!
Pamela on
That is such an impressive rnuning year! 22 races and 9 of them half-marathons! Absolutely awesome!I was certainly not anywhere close. Eight races (one 3 mile, four 5Ks, two 4-milers, one 10K). I was just looking back at some old rnuning logs. 1987 I did 20 races, mostly 5Ks but including two 8Ks, a 5-miler, two 10Ks, one 15K, and one 20K. I was 44 back then.My doctor removed the stitches from my foot this week and I am getting around without crutches now, although I still have to wear a moonboot until my Jan 9th appointment. I am hoping then to be able get out of the moonboot and get approval to start walking and maybe to start jogging a couple of weeks later. I will move into a new age group this coming spring and (as silly as it may sound) I am really getting psyched about that.