I run for those who can't

I started running because my brother was diagnosed with Lymphoma. When that happened I was smoking 2 packs a day. Every run since then I always see my brother. I run through pain,(found out last year at some point I broke my back) nasty weather, and the worst case of the "I don't wanna's" because I always have a cadence in my head "I run because my brother can't". That cadence has carried me through many a marathon, and some pretty nasty pain. This weekend a friend of mine in my running group is having his "Run Four Kelsey Race" Pappy's daughter Kelsey passed away from Lymphoma two years ago at the age of 19. We have all raced in this race. And many times thoughout the year we will all race a race for her. Now that I am in Alaska I can't run it. So I ran today for her...and for my brother.....

I run because Kelsey and Dave Allen can't..................

Pain Is Great Joy

Tonight I went to the gym to run. Running to me is therapy. A way to work through lifes problems. For those of you that have never been to a gym on a friday night, it's a pick up place. It's about the same as going to one of the local bars here in Alaska.
But with for me in the frame of mind I am in, it was painful to watch this courtship dance and even more painful for one poor soul who tried to dance with one broken hearted woman who was only there for one reason...........to run through the pain.....alone...and on the wind.
Once I bruised my would be pick up artist's ego and sent him on his way, I found a treadmill in a quiet corner. I put on my headsets, tuned in some hard driving music, set the speed, and ran.

Before I knew it I ran a 5k in a time that I haven't done since when I was training for the Shoreline Pacific Marathon. Though the sweat and the pain...I felt a small bit of joy...and my heart was missing a little less pain.