Getting back to it...

Getting into my groove again...at least working on it. Running for heroes gives me a motivation different from any other. It's truly an honor. 

On 10-28-14 I ran 2.3 miles then finished walking for a total of 4.5 miles. This workout was in honor of Flight Paramedic Wade Weston who flew with Air-Evac Life Team. Weston passed away, along with his 2 crew mates, when their helicopter went down in an Indiana cornfield. They had just participated in a community day, sponsored by a local fire department, where the helicopter had been on display. They were returning to base at the time of the accident. 

Paramedic Weston was 38. He had been in service for 10 years. He left behind his wife, 2 young daughters, his parents, 5 sisters & a brother.

RIP Parametic Weston

Fighting burnout. A few miles for ME.

I've been fighting burnout lately. I've let so much get to me & get in my mind. Issues & people involved with our local running community have gotten under my skin. I've almost forgotten why I started in the first place. It's been very discouraging. 

When I first started running there were, what seemed like, just a handful of us. We joked about the "closet runners" in the area. We even created a running group to pull us together. Over the years we've developed more. Now there's a running BOOM! There are runners everywhere!! It's a great thing. However, with more people come different opinions & different opinions lead to friction. There's been friction on so many levels & I'm beyond exhausted. 

I believe we should encourage each other. Not put someone down because they don't run like you or as fast as you feel they should or if they don't have the "ideal" runner's body. Build each other up & promote the sport. Above all, remember these races are for charity, not glory. 

Through it all, I've learned that not everyone has the same heart & values as me. Because of this I decided to run for ME a couple times. I did 2.25 miles on 10-22-14 & 2 miles on 10-23-14 & it felt great. At times I guess we all just need to step away & refocus. 

I will make my comeback. I will be better than ever. I just need to remember why I started & stay focused on MY goals. 

107 minutes for 107 fallen...

This past weekend there were 107 fallen firefighters added to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial. That's 107 dedicated responders who paid the ultimate price over the last year. That's 107 families that gave their loved ones. 

Today I ran for these fallen responders...107 minutes...1 minute in memory of each. I also read through their profiles. So many people, different as night & day. Men, women, young & not so young. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children & grandparents. The one thing they had in common was dedication to a career they loved.

I invite you to go learn about these heroes. Give them the honor & respect they deserve. Pray for their families. God bless them. 

http://www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/about/2014-roll-of-honor/