This wasn’t the finish I envisioned, but the good news is, I’m home.

Two miles shy of the finish line in the Fifth Third Riverbank Run 25K, I had to stop.  I figured I’d walk a little while and then run the last mile.  I figured wrong.  Instead I was carted away in an ambulance and taken to the ER.  They pumped 4 liters of fluid into my system.  I guess I was dehydrated.

When I started with the Road Warriors, my platform was I hate running.  You’d think this would have sealed the deal and I’d throw my running shoes away for good.

Not gonna happen.  I’m going to have to check this off my bucket list first.

I gave it everything I had.  Everything and maybe a little more than I should have.  I would have liked to have finished, but that’s life.

The ironic thing is, if you’ve read my previous blogs, you know all about my battle with “The Voice.”  Well, today the voice started speaking to me at mile 10.  It said, “you really should walk, Jack.  Don’t be proud.  Walk for a while and then we’ll finish this thing.”  I was a little too proud.  It was really important for me to run the entire 25K.  I’m going to have to try this again.  I will try this again.

I do have one regret.  I didn’t get to see Walter Catton finish.  I was really looking forward to watching him cross the finish line.  I was looking forward to seeing the reaction on his wife, Kim’s face.  To see him share that moment with his daughter Noah, his son Ben and his family members that flew in from Boston to see him accomplish this incredible feat.

What impresses me even more, is how selfless he is.  We ran this race together for 13 miles.  When I stopped, he stopped.  When I started getting a little delirious and weak in the knees, he held me up and got me the help I needed.  He wasn’t worried about a time.  He was worried about a friend.  Thanks, Walter.

The Road Warriors has been a fantastic experience.  I’m honored to say I was a part of this team.  I didn’t finish, but I’ve run more in the last three months, that I have in my lifetime.  I didn’t finish, but I share a bond with nine great people. I didn’t finish, but I can honestly say I’m just getting started.

I’m a runner now.

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If you’re going to watch the Fifth Third Riverbank Run in downtown Grand Rapids this Saturday, be sure to give an extra loud cheer out to the hand cyclists.  A team from the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association will take on the challenge.   Here’s a story from 24 Hour News 8’s Jason Terzis

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/river_bank_run/Hand-cyclists-preparing-for-River-Bank

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When I made the decision to try and run the 25K in the Fifth Third Riverbank Run, I was hoping to quiet that voice in my head and prove something to myself. 

DONE and DONE!!

The voice is working with me and I’m feeling as fit as I have in years.

What I didn’t expect, was to be this inspired.  I’ve watched and admired the other Road Warriors and enjoyed reading their blogs along the way.  They have really put themselves out there. 

I’ve also forged a great friendship with Road Warrior, Walter Catton.   We’ve logged a lot of miles together.  And I was privileged to get to tell the story of his comeback and his faith. 

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/river_bank_run/A-warriors-comeback-near-death-to-25K

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I’ve got to be honest.  When I started the Road Warrior program, I really never figured I’d be able to run the full 25K in the Fifth Third Riverbank Run. 

I figured I’d run a mile, walk a couple of blocks.  Run-Walk-Run; stop and tie my shoes;  hit a port-a-john for a break- smell the tulips along the route- try and hitch a ride to the finish and say, “at least I tried”

That would have been pathetic.  That would have been a sad chapter in my life, because as I log more and more miles, I’m finding my confidence grow.  Not that I’ve ever lacked confidence in myself.  I just resisted things I didn’t care to try.  I didn’t want to face the failure of quitting when the legs started screaming and the breath left my out of shape body.  But as I train for May 8, I’m conquering more walls. 

The first time I ran for an hour, I was ready to call Greg Meyer and tell him to lace up the shoes.  Then I sulked as i realized I wasn’t quite half way to the finish line. 

Today I ran with fellow Road Warrior, Walter Catton.  He pushed me hard.  We ran for about an hour and 45 minutes.  I’m guessing we went 13 miles.  I’m also guessing, I won’t be stopping on my way to the finish line in the Fifth Third River Bank Run.  What seemed impossible and improbable at first, now feels likely. 

I can’t even begin to tell you how much that means.

If you don’t think you could do this, and you’ve never tried.  Give it some thought and challenge yourself.  You’ll be happy you did.  I know I am.

I hope to see you at the finish line.

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In a previous Road Warrior post, I shared the story of Joe Burmania.  In incredible athlete, who benefitted greatly from his time with the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association.

Now I’d like for you to meet the man that helped Joe fall in love with wheelchair basketball.

Lee Montgomery is the first wheelchair athlete to be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall Of Fame.  He was honored for the successes he’s had as a world class athlete and a coach.

He’s another reason why I’m proud to represent the GRWSA when I run in this years Fifth Third Riverbank Run.  Take a minute and enjoy his story.  I promise you’ll be inspired. (You can watch the video here.)

If you’re inspired enough to help the organization help current and future wheelchair athletes… then go to www.active.com/donate/grwsa/aagallup

I’ll see you at the finish line.

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