During a momentous battle, a Japanese general decided to attack even though his army was greatly outnumbered. He was confident they would win, but his men were filled with doubt. On the way to the battle, they stopped at a religious shrine. After praying with the men, the general took out a coin and said, “I shall now toss this coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we shall lose. Destiny will now reveal itself.”
He threw the coin into the air and all watched intently as it landed. It was heads. The soldiers were so overjoyed and filled with confidence that they vigorously attacked the enemy and were victorious. After the battle, a lieutenant remarked to the general, “No one can change destiny.”
“Quite right,” the general replied as he showed the lieutenant the coin, which had heads on both sides. – buddhist story on destiny
Earlier this year when I began raising funds to support Comfort Zone Camp, I secretly knew my first marathon would be on my Dad’s birthday. There would be no better way to finish my first marathon and remember the experience forever than to combine it with a day that is extremely special each year.
The ‘run for dad’ was a coin with heads on both sides. It didn’t matter how long it took me to finish (4 hours, 48 minutes), but instead all that mattered was the fact I was doing something I had never done before, while raising money for an incredible cause, and remembering my father during the journey.
‘Run for dad’ exists because of a myriad of factors which all came together on August 9…My father’s sickness, finding Comfort Zone Camp, turning a hatred for running into something that I couldn’t live life without. While I have said before the day my father passed away was the worst day of my life, it is a privilege to be able to help those who are going through a similar experience.
This year I’ve interacted with many people who have lost a loved one growing up, and while the circumstances surrounding the loss are different, the feelings we have are the same.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone on this journey, I’ve reached my goal of $2,011 raised for Comfort Zone Camp in 2011! Some people gave big, some gave small, but more importantly, so many of you gave whatever you could, and that is what makes the difference.
It’s onward and upward in my training as I move closer to the fall and Blue Springs 50 miler. My mileage is increasing and I’m back training with Jeff and Diane at PRS Fit. The week that I have been back with them I’ve already felt a surge of energy and boost in my training.
Excited for the challenge that lies ahead.
#dowork
Congrats, ryanknapp ! Glad you were able to accomplish your goals!
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