Two types of distance running styles. Type 1 is to take the lead and dictate the race. Let them come and find you. Type 2 is to keep the leader in your sites and when the time is right you “kick” it in gear and catch them at the finish. Might be a third type. One that just is trying to hang on the whole way. Victory is in the finish. Victory is the journey. Victory is as Jim Valvano said never giving up. Don’t ever give up. One day I’d like to call myself a 1 or 2 but today I’m proud to be a 3. Here is how it went…

Really wanted something in the tank for this race which is hard to do when the tank is still working on getting full. I walked, ran, jogged, walked some more BUT was going to run the final 100 yards. 300 feet. THEN collapse. Well…in the final mile I made move to run and something popped. Upper, inner thigh. Ya, that part. Groin. Enough to make running extremely difficult. That said I told Christy (oldest daughter and running partner) if I have to drag it (leg) I am running the final stretch.

Trying to make the leg work for most of that mile was not effective. Walking fast was a pain but as we neared the top of the incline and the right turn home a camera man appeared. Time to run and ham for the money shot as you see above. In my line of vision was the family. Julie, Ryan (son-in-law) and the grands Elliot and Amelia. Amelia cheering with her “Go Pap Go” shirt and pom poms. What leg pain?

In a second she bolts for us. Runs to my hand and is running me home. In that moment I could barely contain my joy. Christy took her other hand and we covered the final 300 feet as one. I now wished this race could just go on and on.

My eyes were closed to pray thanks for this next step in the journey as we crossed the line. Once we crossed the fun really began. Amelia got my medal and she is convinced she ran the race completely. She got all the goodies and was one of the gang right down to the photo of me celebrating a personal record. Leading up to the race I said that no matter what time I ran it would be a personal record. Turns out it was my best effort! When I started running these races I was running with undiscovered cancer, cancer free but chemo loaded and finally with jacked up lungs pushing a stroller loaded with oxygen. No wonder this was my best effort.

Amelia wants to “run” another race so…New Smyrna has a 2k Dog Walk. Another BDR in May. The Pierogi Run in Cleveland July 1st. All these races are like that carrot dangled in front. Keep moving. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up and don’t forget to kick. Kick all the way.