St. Clare Health Mission Half Marathon
May 1, 2004
Great River State Trail, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin
Time-2 hours 5 minutes 30 seconds

My first long-distance race. I was 19. I was a freshman in college. I took a runner’s bus from a parking lot in Onalaska, Wisconsin, to the starting line. I ran the 13.1 miles alone. A straight and level trail. When I was finished, I vaguely remember the finish line. But I have no photos. No one came to the race with me. I went back to my dorm room in Angell Hall at University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

My dad had his heart attack and passed away on April 25th, 2004…

I left my hometown to go back to La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the day after my dad’s service to run this race. My mom said I insisted on this, to run this for dad. I didn’t show emotion. I didn’t cry. I just went back.

This is my first entry of race reflections, as I look back at all my past half and full marathons. I am looking forward to doing this, however, I didn’t realize how I would ‘feel‘ about it. I honestly had forgotten how few days had passed after my dad died until I looked up the race date online tonight. I think my jaw honestly went ajar. I can’t believe I did it. But yet I am so glad I went through with it.

If I hadn’t, I may not be here now, doing this, feeling this.