Run With All Your Hart

Today, I took part in the Run With All Your Hart 4 Mile Run/Walk.  This was a race that I wish did not exist.

Sarah Hart set out on an early morning run with her sister and after a few miles she said she didn't feel good and headed back to her car.   Her sister continued on with her run.  When she got back to the parking lot, she was surprised to see Sarah's car was still there.

Sarah was kidnapped, robbed and killed and hidden in the tree line at the edge of a field.

She was a loving wife, mother of three beautiful children and was pregnant.  A family is now broken for no good reason.

When my alarm went off this morning, I did not want to run.  It had only just stopped raining, I knew it would be damp and humid.  Not my favorite conditions, but I got dressed and headed out the door.

I wanted this 4 miles to be a time to reflect, pray and be thankful for what God has given me.  But as I headed up my dreaded hill, I was sad.  I was sad because I was running to honor Sarah's memory, which I was proud to do, but she died so senselessly and I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it.

I felt the same way this past February when I walked to honor Sherry Arnold.  Another awful murder of a a mother, wife and runner.  Six months later, here we are again.

How can people be so horrible?  Why do these things happen and why do they happen to such good people?  I don't have any answers.  I am guessing no one does.

I decided to walk up my hill and pull myself together.  When I got to the top, I was still walking.  It felt good, but I am a runner, I finally started to run.

I could not find my groove.  I was hot and sticky, it was dark and I was wearing sunglasses which were steaming up and, I was crying.  (I was hoping the sun would of come out before I was done, no such luck)

When I got to the farm, I noticed that they were growing sunflowers.  I have run this route a 100 times and have never noticed that before.  I stopped and looked at them and smiled.  They were beautiful.

I thought about the last time I had just gone for a walk, and couldn't remember when that was.  I kept on walking and started to feel really good.  I watched people set up for the farmers market, I saw chickens and cows just hanging out and I just kept on walking.  I finally hit 2 miles.

I turned around and started to run again.  I ran/walked the rest of the way home and am happy to say that it is all good.  I needed to stop and smell the roses today, so that is what I did.  By doing that, I was able to think, reflect and pray.  I prayed for Sarah and her family, I thanked God for mine.  I prayed for a healthy, happy future for all of us, including you.  I asked God to forgive me for doubting him, because after reading Sarah's story, I did.  How can he allow such a tragedy?  I will probably never know the answer to that and I am allowed to be angry, but I still have faith.

I thought about the Hart family, their friends and the many volunteers who came together to put this race in motion.  How incredible today is for them.  A 4 mile run in their hometown, virtual runners in every state, plus six countries.  They did this is a very short time and I say congrats to you for such a successful day!  What a great way to honor the memory of your wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.

Yes, I have a lot of hair, and no, I do not run with it down.

I am home now with my family and we have a nice day planned.  I will enjoy every minute, because you just never know what life is going to throw at you next.

Did you run for Sarah?  I would love to hear about your 4 miles.  Do you ever just stop and take it all in?

Run Strong, Think Big!