Tag: Running

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5K for Grandma

When I started running last month there was no rhyme or reason for it. I needed something to do, so I ran. That was pretty much the entire thought process behind it. No lofty goals. No higher purpose. Just running for the sake of running. Or, perhaps, running for the sake of getting my butt off the couch.

In Memory Of Grandma

cbdadbcc7769b50e52891c1f4a310539_f243On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, peacefully in her sleep, my Grandma went home to be with her Jesus and, be reunited with Grandpa. Although we only lost Grandma a few days ago, the truth is, we lost her quite some time ago. You see, she was taken from us by one of the most terrible diseases I can imagine.

Grandma suffered from Dementia.

My Grandma was one of the strongest women I’ve ever known. A farm and country girl through and through. Never missing a step working right alongside Grandpa on the family farm. Putting anyone who dared try to keep up with her to shame. She was tough and proud, yet as gentle and loving as a person could be.

A New Purpose

I went out for a run last night and while I was huffing and puffing my way around town on a 5km run, an idea popped into my head. What if I took this new running hobby and used it for a higher purpose?

When I returned home I pulled out my computer and with a quick Google search I found the Run For Heroes Marathon. Now, I’m not quite ready for a marathon yet, but I figured I could certainly do a 5km run in honour and memory of my Grandma and use it to raise money to fight the terrible disease of Alzheimer’s.

A Request For Support

1383553_531455696944092_698415112_nI’ll be running Saturday, September 20, 2014 in Amherstburg, ON. I confess that I have no clue where that is, but Google Maps says it’s about 3 hours away. It was the only run I could find near me raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, so it’s well worth the drive to me.

I’ve set my fundraising goal at $1,000. Perhaps my hopes are a bit high. However, I figure between family, friends, colleagues and readers of this blog, maybe $1,000 in memory of Grandma is within my reach.

If you’d like to support me in my first official 5km race, and make a donation in memory of my Grandma, your support and contribution would mean the world to me and my family. You can donate from this page.

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The Impossible Is Possible

All through elementary school I was a runner. Not a track superstar runner, but a runner nevertheless.

Mostly, I give the credit to my mouth. You see, I needed my legs to carry me to safety when my mouth frequently got me into trouble. Whether I was outrunning mom and her wooden spoon or some punk kid in my school, seldom did I get caught. I even won a few races here and there.

In Grade 9 I was running a race and my right knee gave out. I face-planted on the track, picked myself up, carried on with the race, and still managed to win. I decided then to go out on top. Retired. In Grade 9.

Retired From Running

In the two plus decades that have followed since my Grade 9 retirement, the only time I have run is when my fire department pager goes off. Thankfully, I live about 500ft from the fire hall, so I don’t have to run far.

Beyond that, I’ve have no desire to run. In fact, it’s something I’ve never given as much as a thought to.

Until two weeks ago.

Run Forrest, Run!

marc scott runningJune 24, 2014 I went out for my evening walk. Or, I suppose it would be my late night walk, on account of it was after midnight. For some reason, I got the bright idea that I’d run. I downloaded the Nike+ app and thought to myself, “what the heck?!”

I suspected I’d make it to the end of my street, collapse in a pool of sweat, tears and puke, and there, in all my un-glory, I’d die. All that would be left for me is the humiliation of calling 911 and having to be discovered by my fellow firefighters. When a firefighter has to call 911 for the fire department, he has to put up a case of beer. At least I’d be dead, so I wouldn’t have to buy beer.

Instead, much to my shock and amazement, I ended up running 3.21km in 21:02. Now, granted, this is not exactly world record time. But for me, to me, it might as well have been!

What Doesn’t Kill You

The next night, I tried again. 3.43km in 23:16. The night after that, 3:37km in 21:33.

I kept going. Kept running. On Monday July 7, 2014, I ran 5:03km in 27:40.

Two weeks ago, I was retired from running. I had been since Grade 9… over two decades ago! Two weeks ago I was pretty sure if I ran any further than the end of my street, I’d die. Two weeks ago if you had told me I’d run 5km in under 28 minutes within two weeks, I’d have referred you to my shrink!

The Impossible Is Possible

I’ve got some stuff I’m working on in my life right now. Stuff that, to me, under current circumstances, seems impossible. At times I’ve wanted to quit. Throw in the towel. Walk away. Find new goals. Hopes. Dreams.

When I finished my 5km run on July 7, 2014 the very first words out of my mouth were, “thank you, Jesus. For showing me that maybe the impossible is possible after all.”

Now, I don’t want to give up on those things anymore!

Don’t let your dream(s) die. Maybe the impossible is possible after all!

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