I never imagined that I would come up .4 miles short from completing my first Boston Marathon. When the bombings went off, a boston bomb squad officer pulled me aside and said, “Your race is over!”
From a running perspective, I was in denial. I wanted to finish the race and wasn’t thinking clearly as I was sprinting toward the finish life. From a real world perspective, I was thankful to be alive, and sad for all those that were killed and injured in the blasts.
Bill Rodgers, 4-Time Boston Marathon Winner, Supports Run4Papa
Bill Rodgers and I after running together at the the Invest in Others 5K, Chicago, IL
Would you pledge $1 a mile? What about for 26.2 miles?
My “Papa,” a pediatrician of 50 years, was recently diagnosed with dementia. Since I’ll sleep plenty when I am dead, I figured why not do anything and everything possible to raise awareness for this vicious disease.
I NEED YOUR HELP!
Our Goal: Fund the 1st National dementia speech therapy trial in history!
In exactly 40 days and 40 nights, I will be running the Boston Marathon.
Frigid Temperatures + Cold Surprise = Race Day in the South
Born in the great state of Michigan, you wouldn’t think a mere 30 degrees would be that abnormal of a temperature in February; however, living in North Carolina for the last decade, 30 degrees is downright freezing. And yes, your blood does warm up living down south. As I glanced outside, part of me was hoping several inches of snow would trickle down from the sky even if it meant shutting down half the city (cue all my Northern friends laughing and rolling their eyes).
Before heading out to the U.S. National White Water Center, home of the Frigid 5K, I scanned my bed for a quick gear check: Scrubs, check. Lab coat, check. Go Pro camera, check. Sharpie, check. Shoes (already on my feet), check.
If it’s Saturday, it’s race day!
As I made my way to the U.S. National White Water Center, I was curious to see how many people would actually show up. For Charlotte, this weather was pretty crappy; however, as a runner, weather conditions are more of a challenge than an obstacle. Upon my arrival, I noticed roughly 500+ runners who were excited to brave the cold in February followed by an optional (but highly encouraged) cold water plunge into the man-made river.
My good friend Jeramy was eager and excited to notch his first 2013 race under his belt. I asked him if he minded filming me jumping into the water after the race. His response, “If I am going to wake up this early, run in this weather, you best believe I am jumping in that ice cold water!” Touche.
COLD is an understatement and fun doesn’t do that moment justice.
As the gun went off, Jeramy and I jogged the 5K that covers the length of the Whitewater Center Parkway, occasionally stopping for pictures and encouraging fellow runners. The actual run itself was average at best as we looped up the parkway and then wrapped around back again. Several times I heard people say “Go Doc Go” or “Keep running for Papa!” The exhilarating part of the run was approaching the finish line! I could see a large group of supporters cheering on runners as they crossed the line and plunged into the water. I kicked of my shoes, dropped my labcoat and sprinted into the water clutching my scrubs and camera.
Before grabbing a beer and warming up by the fire, I asked Jeramy to film some quick wrap up footage of the race. As cold as my body felt, I knew this was another great opportunity to raise awareness for dementia research. In fact, while drinking an ice cold micro-brew and warming up by the fire, a group of women came up and started giving me a funny look. One lady asked “Didn’t I see you last week at the Gold Rush 5K?” I nodded, smiled and nudged over so she could warm up her hands. She said, “Keep doing what you are doing, it’s making a difference.” I smiled again, thanked her, and made my way back to my car.
And sure enough, on my ride home, snow began falling from the sky!
Jeramy and I capture a quick moment together after jumping in the frigid water.
As the regional leader in orthopedic care, OrthoCarolina running is your one-stop shop for all your orthopedic needs. Whether a professional or amateur, OrthoCarolina has all the services you’ll need to get back in the game. From orthopedics to imaging to therapy to training we are the only experts you’ll need.
We serve the needs of the regional recreation leagues, youth running organizations, middle and high school teams and colleges and universities! Our OrthoCarolina running program includes the top orthopedic surgeons, therapists and trainers in the region; from head to toe we’ve got you covered – and with 26 locations we’re also convenient.
Norm and I hanging out together before the 49er Gold Rush 5K.
We’ve all heard of Punxsutawney Phil, the little furry guy in Pennsylvania who comes out, sees his shadow, and declares six more weeks of winter. February 2 brings the most-watched weather forecast of the year—and the only one led by a rodent. Legend has it that on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way.
My alarm mysteriously went off at 5am and while Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” did not start playing, I knew I wasn’t falling back asleep anytime soon. Believe me, I tried tricking myself. I figured, if this day were going to repeat itself, why not run a race on Groundhog Day!?! My friend Rachel mentioned the night before about a race taking place at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), a Gold Rush 5K. Groundhog Day mixed with a race was an easy sell for this guy. Honestly, either of those two were good enough reasons to get out of bed, but combine the both of them, and you have the start of something special!
The next steps went something like this: 1) Google the location of the race 2) Grab my scrubs and lab coat 3) Hop in the shower (for easily 45 mins) 4) Slide my feet into my newest pair of running shoes! If today were going to repeat itself, I was well prepared to do battle again and again.
Being a Northerner, you would think 25 degrees was no big deal; however, living in North Carolina for the past 10 years has warmed my blood substantially. And yes, spoiled me (guilty). Actually, it wasn’t so much cold as it was downright freezing (cue my entire family and friends in Michigan rolling their eyes)! I made my way to the registration table and immediately started getting looks from fellow runners. While most runners were covered in multiple layers from head to toe, yours truly roamed around in his medical scrubs and was being asked time and time again, “What’s Run4Papa?” The amount of attention and awareness from wearing this attire alone was worth bearing the frigid temperature.
All bundled up and raising awareness for PPA research!
I ended up running alongside 800 fellow runners. We started on a racetrack but were quickly directed toward a variety of hills zig-zagged around the beautiful UNCC campus. I happened to run quicker than normal and could feel my fingers thawing out one by one every half mile. When I approached Mile 3, there was a massive group of college volunteers supporting runners as they made their way toward the finish line. When I got closer, this group started going wild! “We have a doctor running this race!” As I flew by, I heard “Run 4 Papa, Run 4 Papa!” A BIG smile came across my face. Why? Because this cause continues to have a contagious affect not only at each race and venue, but by the amount of support, awareness and traffic generated online.
I thought to myself “If every day is like this one, my alarm can go off at 5am anytime. Groundhog Day or not, I will be happy to repeat this effort day after day until the 1st National PPA speech therapy trial is funded.” And by the looks of it, I am thinking this goal will be achieved within the next 135 days.
As I crept back into bed, I turned my radio on only to hear the song “I Got You Babe” playing. Seemed timely enough to me.
Born in the great state of Michigan, you wouldn’t think a mere 30 degrees would be that abnormal of a temperature in February; however, living in North Carolina for the last decade, 30 degrees is downright freezing. And yes, your blood does warm up living down south. As I glanced outside, part of me was hoping several inches of snow would trickle down from the sky even if it meant shutting down half the city (cue all my Northern friends laughing and rolling their eyes).
