Post Ultra Challenge Reflections

I’ve now had 2 months to reflect on my trek and to try and let my body recover so I thought I’d also share some of my post-run thoughts, feelings and experiences.

My goal has always been to inspire people to generously use their specific God-given gifts to help others in need. One doesn’t need to have loads of money to donate, or to dedicate one’s life to operating a mission in a 3rd world country. Instead, I hope I inspire my Boy Scouts to get out there and enjoy the wilderness instead of playing video games. I hope I inspire my Type A friends and acquaintances to recognize that Type A energy can be directed toward other things besides work. I hope I inspire others to find any little way to get into action on a social topic that may seem insignificant, but truly is significant to those living it. And most importantly I hope I inspire those people whose names are on the back of my shirt fighting for their existence to never give up because we are supporting them. We should all be continually searching for ways to make a difference!

Though I’m a very private man with respect to my relationship with God, I can also say I found new ways to become closer to Him through my experiences. As Henry David Thorough once said (I’m paraphrasing since I cannot find the exact quote), if you want to see God, do not go to the cathedral, instead go to the mountain top and you will view Him as He is truly meant to be seen.

Last year, a boy I never met but I took pictures for on my runs and sent messages of encouragement to, took a turn for the worse shortly after my Pike’s Peak Ascent ended. Mikey Czech died a month later and his death affected me profoundly. Sadly, again this year a young man whom I have never met but works at my company was given some horrible news on 9/27 that his cancer had returned and there were no options for him. Over the last 6-months as he battled leukemia and miraculously found a 1 in a million bone marrow donor, I have never seen my company mobilize for any other cause like it did to help Nick find a that donor. When given the bad news, he thanked his doctor for giving him a chance… 6 days later Nick lost his battle but was courageous to the end. I am deeply saddened by Nick Glasgow’s death, once again it is sobering news that only drives me harder to raise awareness to defeat this horrible disease. My heart goes out to his mom Carole and the rest of Nick’s family who supported him so much throughout his battle. Cancer, and the devastation that it brings to families sucks…

Firsts for me on this trek:
• Never logged more than 100 miles running in a week before - 152.9 miles
• Never ran more than 20 miles twice in a week before – did it 5 days in a row
• Never crossed a whole state on foot before – ran MA from its northern to its southern border
• Never pushed myself so close to the edge of physical and mental failure
• Never ran more than a few steps wearing a backpack
• Never missed my family so much!

I’m not sure what next year will bring for me and fundraising. Hopefully as the economy turns around I can start to build up my R4OPL organization but for now I have put it on the back burner and am focusing on little things I can do locally to help others. I have to work to support my family and to send my children to college so that takes up a large chunk of my time, but I will continue to find ways to make a difference. My next really big challenge will be the Trans-Rockies Run the summer of 2011 and we’ll see what 2010 brings. And yes, I am still looking for a team mate for that TR Run!

What cannot be overstated is the impact the support provided by so many different people makes in my efforts. Running an event like this can seem thankless at times because my donations go to large organizations… very, very good organizations… where I am just a small fish (I have raised over $6K in the past 2 years). So my friends, newly-made friends, and family who encourage me and donate to my causes makes all the difference. Your encouragement, your generosity and your active involvement enable me to succeed because without you I would surely wither and fail. So thank you my friends for taking part in every way that you do… an encouraging note at a crucial time in my training regimen made a huge difference, all of your encouragement and notes on Facebook and Twitter during my run was HUGE at some very tough times on the trail, and your donations WILL make a difference… the next time you hear about a Habitat Home dedication you can know that some of your money may have helped get that family out of a roach-infested inner city apartment and into a simple but clean home! And one day, when a cure for cancer is found, you can know that your contribution helped make that happen. It doesn’t get much better than that for a warm feeling and to make you want to do more!

I am… Running for Other People’s Lives!