Mile 2: I've dedicated this mile to a dear friend, Liz Shafer, who is an avid runner and would take time off of her marathon training runs to run/walk 2 miles around the track with me. I know what a sacrifice that was, Liz. You never knew what that would yield all these years later. Thank you!
Mile 3: Dedicated to Christine S., Whitney, and all of the other teachers that got up at 7:30 on Tuesday mornings during our SUMMERS OFF to get in some miles at Hawk Island. The runs were good, the conversation MUCH BETTER!
Mile 4: The wonderful women of Black Girls Run! inspired mile 4. Brandess, Michelle, Janet, and so many others are out there running, competing, challenging themselves daily to be better and more fit. We CAN impact the statistics. We're already doing it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Mile 5: Running this mile for my Ollie. Thanks for the best 5 months ever. You're my biggest supporter and number 1 fan. I'm blessed to have you in my life and ran this mile just for you. Can't wait until we can do our first 5K together.
Mile 6: Oh how I love Team Playmakers! So many inspiring and kind-hearted people who just love to run. I'm honored to be a member of this team and hope to remain for years to come. That first 6 mile run in late June 2013 was what started it all.
Mile 7: Teaching math is a difficult job. Learning it can be even more challenging for many. I have to watch them struggle quiz after quiz and test after test. Their perseverance and dedication to learning in the face of adversity pushed me through mile 7. I love what I do and I love my students. They are amazing young people.
Mile 8: Dedicated to my daughter Reagan (she's 8 years old). Her infectious smile melts my heart. I channeled her tenacity to keep going.
Mile 9: Since committing to changing my health and rededicating myself to running, I've received several messages from my July Firecracker mommy friends who've been inspired and started to walk/run/move as well. I kept going during mile 9 because I knew that you'd be watching.
Mile 10: Dedicating this mile to my girlfriends Kelli, Jonne', and Roxie. We're all working hard to improve our health and I look forward to doing our 10 Mile Crim race together next year. We got this!
Mile 11: I work with the best colleagues on the planet. Each day we enter OHS and give our students all the we have. This group of passionate people make me want to be better in every aspect of my life. Challenged your passion during mile 11.
Mile 12: Dedicated this mile to my 12 year old daughter, Taylor. She ran her 2nd 5K at the same time that I was running this half marathon. I'm proud of her for facing her fears head on and conquering them. I run to continue to set that example for her.
Mile 13: I knew that I could run 12 miles (did it just two weeks prior to race day). I needed to totally and completely rely on my God to get me to the end. "Fitness is my witness".
And the .1 is for me!