On the eve of the greatest challenge I’ve ever faced, I’d
like to be honest with you all. I’d like to share something that I simply wish
wasn’t true. It’s something that eats at me every time I lace up my running
shoes or snap on my goggles. Something
that stares me in the eye when I start a race or cross the finish line.
Something that I regret deeply and wish could be fixed or taken back. Something
that I dream about and yearn for. Something that I wish could be undone
somehow.
I’ve never ran with my Dad. Not a mile, a yard, or even a foot. Never.
After all the running I’ve done over the past 4 years since he was diagnosed, I’ve never ran with the man who inspires me to run. It saddens me to know this truth. It hurts realizing that all the running he did before the cancer, I didn’t take the opportunity to join him. It eats at me inside
But I’m not telling you this to ask for sympathy. I’m not telling you because I want you to feel my heartache. I’m telling you because I want you to know, even though I yearn to have memory of running with my Dad, I am truly blessed with a gift to imagine a truly perfect, and unblemished run with him. A run to top all runs. A run without fatigue or achy joints. A run that goes for miles on end. A true run for the ages.
I imagine it be much like the opening scene of Chariots of Fire. Just the two of us, running with the sun shining on our faces and the waves crashing at our feet. Soaking in the pure enjoyment of free unadulterated running. It's a beautiful vision that fills me with joy. It's a wonderful dream that I often think of to fill the void of an empty memory. It's the greatest run I've ever had.
That vision is how I think of my Dad in heaven. Running along the beach with a smile on his face, without the pain of cancer, soaking up the warmth of God's love. It's truly remarkable.
Tomorrow as I swim 2.4 miles, bike 112, and run my greatest marathon I won't be alone. I'll have the vision of my father along side me, pushing me faster and faster, enjoying every moment, keeping me motivated and inspired. I'll be running with him.
I’ve never ran with my Dad. Not a mile, a yard, or even a foot. Never.
After all the running I’ve done over the past 4 years since he was diagnosed, I’ve never ran with the man who inspires me to run. It saddens me to know this truth. It hurts realizing that all the running he did before the cancer, I didn’t take the opportunity to join him. It eats at me inside
But I’m not telling you this to ask for sympathy. I’m not telling you because I want you to feel my heartache. I’m telling you because I want you to know, even though I yearn to have memory of running with my Dad, I am truly blessed with a gift to imagine a truly perfect, and unblemished run with him. A run to top all runs. A run without fatigue or achy joints. A run that goes for miles on end. A true run for the ages.
I imagine it be much like the opening scene of Chariots of Fire. Just the two of us, running with the sun shining on our faces and the waves crashing at our feet. Soaking in the pure enjoyment of free unadulterated running. It's a beautiful vision that fills me with joy. It's a wonderful dream that I often think of to fill the void of an empty memory. It's the greatest run I've ever had.
That vision is how I think of my Dad in heaven. Running along the beach with a smile on his face, without the pain of cancer, soaking up the warmth of God's love. It's truly remarkable.
Tomorrow as I swim 2.4 miles, bike 112, and run my greatest marathon I won't be alone. I'll have the vision of my father along side me, pushing me faster and faster, enjoying every moment, keeping me motivated and inspired. I'll be running with him.
.JPG)
