Virtual races seem all the rage right now. You can run a virtual race any time, any where – that’s the beauty of it! If you’re going to run the distance anyway, might as well get a medal for it, right? One of my favorite sites for virtual races is the Fit4Life Race Series – great bling and they have tons of virtual races to keep you motivated if bling is your thing!
This past Thursday, August 15, 2013, the San Jose Chapter of Moms RUN this Town participated in a virtual race started by one of our virtual members. I call her a virtual member because she lives in Washington, but really, Crissy is a true San Jose Mother Runner! She’s one of those runners who travels for races and she’s been down to the SJ area enough that she qualifies to be one of us. Now, if you ask her, Crissy will tell you she’s “just a wogger” but Crissy is much more than that! Crissy is one of our most inspirational members! She created the Books from Bug Virtual Race to honor the memory of her daughter, Halleigh, who passed away due to epilepsy when she was 14 years old after battling the disease from the age of 8. Crissy has also run 34 half marathons in 22 months to remember her precious, Bug. All the proceeds from this virtual go to buying books which are then donated to hospitals, schools, libraries, shelters and other places to benefit kids age 3-14. Since Crissy started the Books from Bug Virtual Race, books have been donated to facilities in 8 states and 2 countries. Such is the power of a mother runner’s love!
As a mom who has also lost children, I know how devastating it can be….the sadness of losing someone who you birthed can be paralyzing and numbing. For me, running was what started me moving again. The simple “left foot, right foot” movement kept my sadness from totally consuming me and allowing me to move forward – not running away from the pain, but each footstep a way to honor my babies, my empty arms and make meaning of that pain.
For our Books from Bug Virtual Run, we had 7 mamas come out and run. It was a beautiful summer day and we met at great park with an out and back running trail. We each went our own pace, did our own miles and in our own way, honored Halleigh and all the babies and children who have left us too soon.
Our lovely mamas and kiddos after our run! Plus, the awesome medal and swag.
“Running in the New Normal” for Lucas and Larissa, written Sept 2006.
Running through the Fall
Leaves crunch under my feet
Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot
Steady rhythm
Like a heartbeat
or the flap of (angel) wings.
I think about my babies
Born too early, born too small.
They will never feel the crisp autumn air
Or see the brilliant golds and reds against
a cloudless blue sky.
I have to see for them
Feel for them
A memory of lost opportunities
Lost What Ifs
Lost Possibilities
Lost Little Lives
How can I go on?
Left right, left right
Through the pain
Left right, left right
Through the sad beauty of death
Lack-luster red and gold beneath my feet.
I look up, I look ahead
Trusting that this season will pass
Leaves crunch under my feet
Left right, left right
And I move forward.
Moms RUN San Jose 