A Passion for Running

My family went on a little trip to Banff National Park (more photos at the link) right after Christmas this year. The kids LOVED the Gondola and Banff Hot Springs.

And this photo of Lori and I is a new favorite of mine.

Thank you everyone for your concern. I am a-ok after a difficult month or two of getting through layers of health stuff. I owe a bunch of you emails and promise to get in touch with you over the next few days.

Take care and happy holidays!

All the best to you and your families,
Mark

I’m so proud of my friend Jeff for rallying the web’s runners around Ryan Shay’s family.

This sort of thing hits you on so many levels. First, because once we get fit, we runners tend to think of ourselves as invincible. We are not. Ryan was an elite athlete with a heart defect. He was, to most of us, superhuman and was still struck down at the age of 28.

The second thing that hits you is empathy. Empathy for Ryan’s family and wife. Once upon a time I thought I’d lost my son. Near misses like that make you appreciate your loved ones in ways you could not have imagined previously. My heart bleeds for the Shays.

So, I did my part and ran 5.5 miles. They were quiet miles. Quiet thoughtful miles.

The one positive, albeit sort of morbid thought (I guess this is an appropriate time for being morbid) I had while running those miles is a thought I often have…

…When my time comes, I hope it comes like it did for Ryan – doing what I love doing – running down a dream.

God bless.