Still Trying…
My older brother died 16 years ago tonight. He didn't run. He played baseball. I ran. I understood baseball. He didn't understand running. And he'd make fun of it. That's what older brothers do. When they care about you they make fun of you. And he made fun of my running... endlessly.
He laughed about the seeming mindlessness of it and the idiocy of doing lap after lap and mile after mile. He would say how utterly boring it was to watch Track meets. Watching dudes just run in a circle? Seriously? But he showed up for my races. And he stood and cheered like he saw a grand slam being hit every time I took a starting line.
I always heard him when he came. I always knew he was there. And he always congratulated me and asked me about the other kids in the race and why I made my move when I did. Then he made fun of me. But I knew he was trying as hard as he could to understand. And I was running as hard as I could hoping he would.
I'm not sure if he ever really understood why I ran - even at the end. But I know he's still watching. And I'm still running. We're both still trying. That's a lesson I learned from my older brother. Never stop trying. Ever.
I'll be thinking of that on my run... tonight.
Hey Coach,
I don't know anything about life to conjure up something that makes sense to you in this situation. So, I'll do what I can do best - my next run will be in the memory of your brother.
I hope you take solace in the fact that the lesson your brother taught you - you taught me. And I believe that he's not only watching you run, but his spirit runs with all the people you coach(as much as he admitted to hate it)
Yours lovingly,
A normie-turned-athlete who was nothing before you touched his life
Hi Coach,
After surviving a huge medical crisis last year my running resumed again from rock bottom. Last Saturday I felt tired and cranky and eventually summoned up enough energy to get out the door. I put on your next long run and was immediately transported back to those Farm Team days. Ha! Gotta love that! You got me through those 5 miles and a bit more. Thank you!
Also, lost my younger sister to breast cancer back in 2012. It’s hard day each year that it comes around. It’s important to honor their legacy and the impact on our lives. You captured the very essence of this in your post. Awesome!
Thank you!
Steve