Oct 08

Why I run

Tomorrow morning I’m running my first marathon—26.2 miles with 45,000 people—in Chicago. It’s supposed to be unseasonably warm (high of 80º); it’ll surely have its challenging moments, but it’s really the culminating celebration of 18 weeks of hard work. Between June 6 and now, I’ve:

  • Run 310 miles in 51 hours
  • Cycled 193 miles in 18 hours
  • Burned 47,000 calories (or 67 Big Macs)

My dad, Gene Hammond, ran the Chicago Marathon in 2002—his first marathon. He finished with a smile I have hanging up in my home office. In 2004, he asked me to join him on a 3-mile run, my entry into the sport, and after many miles together on the road, we planned to run the 2005 San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon together. During training, I grew overly confident and pushed my body to injury. My dad discovered a tumor. 

In June 2005, we picked up our free schwag at the marathon expo, but didn’t run the race. Seven months later, lymphoma killed my dad, the 54-year-old marathoner.

Through running, I got to know my dad better than I ever had, and in death, I learned of the great impact he’s had on the people around him. I realized that his story continues, because his influence still affects me today. Every run is because of him and a tribute to his lasting impact on my life.

My dad is why I run, and tomorrow, I’m fulfilling a plan we made six years ago: I’m running my first marathon with him. Pinned to my bright yellow running shirt, I’m wearing the strap from my dad’s 2002 medal. My goal is to finish in under four hours, and when it gets tough, I’ll imagine my dad running with me, urging me forward.

Thanks dad, for getting me here. I love you.

Notes

  1. jeffcagle said: Good luck tomorrow, Griffin! Your dad will be with you. Please be careful and pace yourself. You may be used to the warmth in Blo-No, but probably not 26.2 miles worth.
  2. griffinity posted this

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