Pride in Progress: Wrapping Up 2023

It’s hard to believe that nearly three months have flown by since our 22 hour event. People will still ask me, “Have you recovered yet?” helping it to still feel like yesterday, and yet the weeks have become months, and I now find myself ending the year with reflection and pride. (Also – the answer to the question is Yes, I recovered in less than a week thanks to all the good coaching and training.)

There are many reasons that I reflect back on this with pride, which I’ll share with each of you. The first category is simply the accomplishment of it all! A year ago, this non-profit was merely a dream – although last winter I did recruit my board members to help make it a reality. Also, the event had been erratic – happening in 2019 and 2022 at different venues and no solid continuity. Lastly, although the fundraising had been successful, the participation was also very random. This year, it became a reality! The organization was formed, a venue was secured that we hope to return to, and we had a number of great participants. Those included some 5k runners, marathon runners, many walkers throughout the 22 hours, and one other person who completed all 22 hours with me.

I look back with pride at all the support I received! My board members – Kelly, Bill, and Matt – were all phenomenal and I could go on for hours about them. The number of hours they each personally sacrificed, the many organizational tasks they took on (which I know included many I don’t even realize behind the scenes) and their tolerance for me prepping for and completing this event. Despite the planning, they still made a number of ad-hoc decisions and changes, along with reacting to flaws and mistakes – many of which were by me. This event would have suffered without them. My family showed me a tremendous amount of support – online, over the phone, and a ton of hours onsite during the event from my girlfriend Kelly, brother Bill, sister Jacquelyn and son Tyler. My mentors and coaches, who had been helping me for months with training, planning and preparation – Todd, Matt, and Ben – had me as trained and prepared as I was willing.

I’m grateful for my friends and all the visitors. Topping the list is my good friend Kris who made numerous visits and food runs, and my new friend John from Guitars for Vets offering so much in person and online support. I may miss some, but I remember visits and walking laps with Jess, Linda, Starr, Carla, Jen, Bev, Joe & Jen, Ben & Sara, Matt R, and George… And the participants, some of who I got to connect with throughout the event, were tremendous in their support – even through our mistakes and challenges. Marit was a gem who easily ran a marathon, yet would slow down often when she lapped me in order to chat and connect. Joe, who also completed all 22 hours, happened to run in some of the same circles and we found we had some mutual friends. My good friend Jeff, who happily ran a 5k and then paced with me for another hour afterward. And others, such as Robert, who enjoys running (and I think put in a 10k?) but also is a veteran who closely relates to the need for these causes. My son even managed to assemble a small brass band to play at the closing of the event at the Veteran’s Memorial. These people all gave me extra fuel to do this and to continue to spread the word.

I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned. Some were mistakes I made, advice I didn’t take, suggestions that I dismissed – and I’m grateful for the education along with my patient friends who have yet to say, “I told you so”. Others were scenarios we simply hadn’t considered – and have since learned to improve for the future. Even better are all the helpful suggestions I got throughout the event, such as Marit letting me know of an event that would have been good training for me as well as a good place to advertise. Todd had gentle nuggets of experience and suggestions he made as we would circle the loop together. And my board threw together a list of ideas as well. We’re all the better.

I end the year once again saying “Thank you!” to all the veterans who have served our great nation. Our group was able to raise over $5,000 this year, which we shared with Guitars for Vets and Victory Gym – two great groups offering community and service for our veterans. I continue passing out the challenge coins we created, particularly when I encounter a veteran in public, and I strive to make this world a better place each day I’m on it.

Thanks to Tyler, we have a 8 minute recap video from the event: