Oh, what will this year bring?

Always Extraordinary

May 6, 2008 on 9:43 pm | In Marines, Running |

Have you seen me running?

I’m the one trudging along the path, eyes straight ahead, moving slowly but steadily.

Have you seen me running?

I’m running on the shoulder of the road, watching you driving towards me, then feeling the rush of wind as you pass me.

Have you seen me running?

I’m jogging on the sidewalk, left and right on the streets of town, up and down the hills.

Have you seen me running?

I bet you have. But you don’t remember me. I’m too ordinary to recall.

But last October when I ran the Marine 10K in Washington, I saw a runner I’ll never forget.

We were about a mile into the race and the runners had spread out as we settled into our paces. I plodded along, as I always do, when I found myself running behind and to the left of a tall runner. He had a lopsided gait as he worked his arms to keep his balance. I don’t think he’d had his curved running leg for long. He ran as if he was worried that he might take a misstep, but he didn’t slow down, didn’t stop, he kept going. A Marine always, now running 6.2 miles on one leg of muscle and bone and one leg of metal.

I don’t know how that young Marine lost his leg, or when or what his life was like before his injury. Chances are, he was just an ordinary guy living an ordinary life. When he lost his leg, he ceased to look like the other Marines, or like the boys he graduated from high school with, or like most of us. He would never be the same.

When we take an unchosen path, we have two choices: hide from the new life we’re presented with, or embrace it and make the best of the situation. When that young Marine left his leg behind, he left the ordinary behind too. He laced up his running shoe, strapped on a metal blade where his leg had been, and became extraordinary.

That runner wore a singlet for the Semper Fi Fund and when I got home, I looked them up on the web. They have a program, Team Semper Fi, that provides coaches, specialized sporting equipment, entry fees, and travel expenses for the wounded team members. I decided that I would run the Marine Half-Marathon (on May 18) and the Marine Marathon (on October 26) to raise funds to support this (and other) programs.

So I’ve been trudging the paths of my town, running the road’s shoulder, and sidewalk jogging in training for the half-marathon. Don’t worry that you don’t notice me. I’m ordinary. But I’m running mile after mile so others can be extraordinary. If you’re ordinary like I am and want to help, please make a donation.

I promise I’ll run extraordinarily hard for you. And for Team Semper Fi.

UPDATE: Thanks so much to everyone who has so kindly donated to the Semper Fi Fund. I am truly impressed and touched by your generosity.

I had my last long run on Sunday (11 miles) and it went well. I’m not fast but I get where I’m going! I just have short maintenance runs this week that are really feeling like fun. I’m leaving soon for Virginia and can’t wait to run on Sunday. You can check my time at http://www.marinecorpshistorichalf.com/site7.aspx. My bib is #3342.

UPDATE: May 16, 2008. I arrived in Virginia yesterday to spend a few days with Tom before we head to Fredricksburg on Saturday/Sunday. I had my last run today (about 6 miles) and Tom said I really look like a runner. It felt fantastic and left me wanting to do it again so I’ll save up that eagerness for Sunday. I’m ready to run!