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26 posts for 26 miles
26 posts for 26 miles
At the fifth mile of a marathon a runner should be aware of the location of the pace runners. The pace runners offer a great service to the participants of the race. The pace runner knows their target pace, which is typically slower than their normal pace. They pride themselves on hitting even splits to help runners have a successful race. Watching your watch and worrying about your pace can be reduced by keeping tabs on a pace group. A group of runners is easier to focus on and will allow you to relax more and possibly enjoy the scenic course and energetic crowd. After several extended hospital stays a family should be aware of the location of the nearest Ronald McDonald’s House. The Ronald McDonald House is a wonderful organization for the families of children enduring long hospital treatments. The Ronald McDonald House provides families a temporary escape from their non-stop watching and worrying of their child. The house is normally located very close to the hospital and offers comfort and amenities not found at a hotel. Home cooked meals, laundry and a compassionate staff can lift a broken and tired spirit. We were fortunate to get a room at the Ronald McDonald House during Freeman’s week stay at the Cleveland Clinic. It was nice staying in a safe environment surrounded by families experiencing similar struggles. We loved the delicious meals and conversations we had with the local volunteers while eating. Leanna and I could recharge so that we could give Freeman the love and support he needed. At the end of our stay, Leanna and I have made it a priority to volunteer our family at the Ronald McDonalds houses in Phoenix and Austin. Garth Brooks’ popular song “Friends in Low Places” includes the lyrics “…And the beer chases my blues away, And I’ll be okay”. The Garth Brooks “Teammates for Kids” foundation has a similar purpose of providing an escape for children while they are at the hospital. They have built centers in hospitals that have video games, music, craft activities and celebrity visits. The Phoenix Children’s Hospital has an amazing room that Freeman loved to visit during some of his toughest hospital stays. Leanna and I appreciated that a celebrity prioritized building a place where kids can escape their current struggles. The center was fully staffed and had activities coordinated throughout the week. All the children we met during our visit seemed to enjoy spending time with their families outside of their hospital room. Speaking of friends, training and running a marathon can be a positive experience when you surround yourself with friends. Friends can help you stay positive during the long months of your training program. I have made many new friends while joining Gilbert’s Gazelles running group over the last 3 years. Familiar faces and positive conversations make Saturday long runs seem shorter (sorta!) One of these new friends, Trey Morris, helped make me more relaxed during the first 5 miles of the 2016 Boston Marathon. Trey helped make the start of the Marathon seem more like a training run. We had run every Saturday together, so having him close by helped me relax into my normal routine. There is one source of help that may be overlooked while a marathon runner or epilepsy patient is on their long journey. Volunteers. A marathon requires so many volunteers to make the 26.2 mile event a success. The hydration stations are no easy feat. Providing endless cups of water and Gatorade to runners as they run by. Who would want to do that? People give their time and energy to make sure that the runners stay hydrated along the course. There are many other areas in the race that require volunteers. I try to thank the volunteers lining the course, because I know their contribution can make or break my experience at a race. Likewise, our family has been touched by the different acts of kindness shown by hospital volunteers during our journey battling Epilepsy. Our family is left to pull things together once the doctors and nurses leave the hospital rooms. It has often been a visit from a volunteer that has given us a much-needed boost to push through to the next day. At the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, they coordinate canine visits to allow patients and families to enjoy a furry friend for a while. The owners travel to the hospital to offer a positive experience for patients who need it most. Their donated time has always been a favorite moment for our family. The ultimate example of a Volunteer making a huge difference happened while we were at the Cleveland Clinic. A young lady entered Freeman’s hospital room a few times when Freeman was unable to have visitors. She continued to drop in to make sure that she could volunteer some time with our son. After a long day of tests and little sleep, Freeman was finally able to have a visitor. The young lady returned and brought with her an acoustic guitar. She asked Freeman for a few of his favorite songs, which he said Daughtry was his favorite! With a pure heart, the young lady sang “Home” to our small audience. The beginning of the song goes:
Needless to say, Leanna and I were in tears, while Freeman was smiling ear-to-ear while enjoying his private concert. The young lady packed up her things and left for the next room. Yet, we held that time close during the remainder of our stay at the hospital. Truly, Volunteers should always be given thanks and praise. They will help make everyone’s journey more enjoyable. Receiving help is not always easy. People want to be self-sufficient. However, during the long journey of a Marathon or Epilepsy treatment, help is necessary. Make sure you identify where and how you will receive help during your journey. Thank those people. They are a wonderful example of the good in our world. Next up: Mile 6. Impactful Camps for Running and Epilepsy
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