Two weeks ago today I ran the 46th of 46 runs. It was the Hot Chocolate 15k (that's 9.3 miles in case you were wondering). That sounds impressive and I'll admit it was not easy, but what was most amazing about the whole process was that each run was dedicated for a person or people who needed to be lifted up, supported. People who were suffering or needed to be honored.
I ran 46 days in a row. At least 1 mile every single day. It was amazing. It was amazing not because of the fact that I managed to do that physical challenge but because of the people I met, and learned about and honored over those 46 days.
For the entire length of lent, along with a good friend, we ran each day and dedicated that day to someone who need remembering, honoring, loving or supporting.
It has taken me two weeks to write this blog entry despite many starts. I'm having so much trouble even writing this because I don't know how to describe this experience. Somehow in trying to write this I feel like I'm making this experience about me and it wasn't. Or it was only in the sense that I was the one learning not just about these people but people in general. Some of the dedications were personal. Friends or family I've lost. People I've wanted to honor. People who are alive and are deceased. The majority of the people I dedicated these runs to were strangers or friend or family of friends.
What touched me, was not just the people that were lost or suffered, but the people that remained. The parents, spouse, sibling and friends that requested the dedications. These were the people that picked up the pieces when they lost a child or a wife and carried on making a life for themselves and their children or family. To me these people are the real heroes. The children and parents and spouse that suffered or died, they are deserving of being honored and remembered every day. So however are the people that were left behind.
The people who support their children each and every day. Children with extra special needs and extra special gifts.
Running for others was inspiring and uplifting and at its purest level got me up and out every single day...or at the very least up (there was the occasional run around the living room).
The only way I can describe this experience was as blessing. A gift.
Proof that humanity is doing just fine. Despite, sadness, loss, challenges, people find joy.
Thank you for letting me run for you!