Running has taken me a lot of places and allowed me to see where my limits lie. From running Boston twice to climbing the 14er of Pikes Peak to navigating the toughest 50K in the U.S. in Utah to surviving 100 miles traversing our national park of Cuyahoga Valley, I’m thankful of the gift and opportunities God has given me. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been rewarding and totally worth it.
As I begin a new exciting journey in life, fatherhood, I’m reminded of the balance, trust and hard work it takes in trying something new. I’m reminded that the toughest experiences in life, those that push you to the edge at times, are the ones you’ll remember and cherish and look back on in years ahead with the fondness and clarity that only the passing of time can bring. Within those tough moments of late sleepless nights feeding two hungry screaming babies or getting to mile 62, a new distance PR, and then continuing on 40 more miles into the unknown, lies moments where you stop and appreciate what has been given to you and the beauty of the moment.
After years of pushing myself in running, I’m excited to dedicate my time to being a great father. I’ve come to appreciate the simple 4 or 5 mile runs even more as they’ve become fewer and further between. While stretches of intense training or focus are required at times to achieve certain goals, overall balance and moderation is required to achieve long-term success when life and personal passions pull at you in different directions. They’ll be a time to refocus on running and achieve a few more goals I have - that fire still burns strong and won’t go away - but for now I’m happy with the new challenge life has presented me.
