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/ 

Anniversary dedication...

My run today was dedicated to a wonderful family man who would've celebrated his 43rd wedding anniversary today, Paramedic Gerald "Garry" Hammer. 

I've been blessed in many ways while learning about Supporting Heroes. We honored the 8 that had fallen in 2014 prior to August 2nd during Heroes Challenge. Garry Hammer was one of those. During the process I actually "met" his son Jeremy. Jeremy, aside from my running partner in crime Lanett, is the only survivor (family member) I've had the privilege to speak with. He's told me things about his dad & I can't help but think I truly would've adored this man. 

Garry served for 39 years & taught for nearly 30 of those. Though I've heard his classes weren't in typical classroom style, many people learned a lot from him. He loved the medical field & was dedicated to taking care of those in need. This showed in his work. 

Paramedic Hammer suffered a fatal heart attack minutes after arriving home from a 12-hour overnight shift. He had made emergency responses during his tour of duty, including a 55-minute emergency transport from LaGrange to Fort Wayne.

In addition to serving as a paramedic with LaGrange County EMS, he served as: LaGrange County Sheriff's Department SWAT Medic; Cadaver Dog Handler with Indiana Department of Homeland Security District 3 Search and Rescue Task Force; Deputy Coroner in LaGrange and Noble Counties; and was a member of the Primary Instructors Education Committee of the Indiana Board of EMS. He was also Critical Care certified and CISM certified.

Outside of work his passion was hunting. He loved to deer hunt. 

His passing left behind his wife, 3 daughters, 2 sons & 12 grandchildren. I know today was rough for them. This was yet another 1st for them as he's not here on this anniversary. I pray that God's blessings cover them with happy memories today. They were blessed with a great man & I'm honored to run for him. 

RIP Garry Hammer

One more to wrap it up.

I'm a day late writing this post but I guess better late than never. The first annual Heroes Challenge is officially wrapped up. Donation check was mailed & planning for next year is underway. I thought it only appropriate to run for the man who's story was the first I read with Supporting Heroes. My first dedication run was to him & another officer so this one is just his. 

Officer Ellis was a young officer with a wife & 2 small boys. He had been in service for 7 years when he was found dead from a gunshot wound on an expressway ramp shortly after the end of his shift. His shift ended at 2:00 A.M. and he was discovered at 2:40 A.M.

His vehicle was parked with the emergency lights activated in a position to block traffic. There were no witnesses and he had not called in to advise dispatch of any activity. 

On May 25, 2013, he left behind his young family, his parents & 2 sisters. 

Sadly, the person(s) that took his life haven't yet been found. 

RIP Officer Ellis

Needed to clear my mind...

I needed to clear my head today so I squeezed in a quick couple of miles before picking up my girls. 

There was a bad wreck here this morning. Somebody was watching over me. I overslept & I decided to take Tori to school first. As I left town to drop Gracie off I passed cops flying. I would've been right in that area at that time if I had followed my usual routine. It's had me shaken up all day. 

For some reason Deputy Jacob Calvin of the Tipton County Sheriff Office (Tipton County, IN) has been on my mind as well. He lost his life in the line of duty as he was responding to a car accident. His cruiser left the road & crashed. He was killed in route. He was 31 & had been in service for 2 1/2 years. 

I spent this past weekend at the Kentucky State Fire School promoting the Heroes' Challenge & Supporting Heroes. I've been lucky enough to get to know a lot of great people through planning the HC. It was difficult to come across this accident & see so many I knew working to save these lives. It's an everyday thing for them but not for me. I could NEVER do these jobs but I'm truly thankful for those who can/do. God bless & keep them. 

Always pray for our responders, especially when they're running with lights & sirens.

RIP Deputy Calvin

LODD 6-28-14

It all counts...

Tonight I did a couple miles on the elliptical after training a couple. I wasn't sure if I should count it but I am. Sadly I didn't have my dedication written on my arms but it was dedicated all the same. 

Tonight was for Officer Charles David Howley of the Oldham County Police Department. Officer Howley's End of Watch (LODD) was May 14, 2014. He complained about not feeling well after an emergency response & ended his shift early that day. He suffered a fatal heart attack at home. 

Officer Howley spent 20 in service. He was described as a "superior" & "dedicated" officer. A post on his memorial page says, "He was a great officer and friend who always brought a smile to people's faces." 

Along with many friends & brothers/sisters in the department, he left behind his wife, his daughter, parents & a brother. He was only 51. God bless & keep his family. Thank you for your service.