There is one aspect of running that I never tire of. It’s being able to meet and see real-life heroes. I came upon such an inspiring runner Saturday during the Salt Lake Marathon, approximately seven miles into the race. I was about to climb out of SugarHouse Park when I saw Ben Wilkinson, age 28. I didn’t stop to ask his name. I know that from the news story I saw later that evening. But I did run up beside him to let him know that I thought he was "so very awesome for running this race!" What inspired me so? Ben was running even though he has cerebral palsy. KSL highlighted his story on Saturday evening’s edition of SportsBeat. See this heartwarming and amazing story.
SPOILER: If you do not watch the news story, continue reading: When Ben was running the final stretch on the Gateway road, he came across a family with a young child with cerebral palsy. Ben stopped, said "hi," and told him that he can do whatever he wants to accomplish in life; don't let anyone tell you that you can't. When Ben started running toward the finish line again, the little boy followed him and finished the last 100 yards with him. At the finish line, Ben received his medal, kissed it, and then gave it to the little boy. The race operators were so touched by this gesture that they gave Ben a second medal. Ben was already a hero in my book when I met him in the park. This just amplified my admiration of him. You rock, Ben!
Regarding My Run
After I passed Ben, I went on having a good race until mile 15, when the heat coming off of Van Winkle Way depleted my energy. It was at this time that I began struggling with my own agonizing pains in my hip joints, which I figured was a residual effect from earlier arthritic flare-ups the past week. I totally wasn’t expecting this pain but I have learned through experience that you can never predict the pains you are going to feel during a race. They come on suddenly. Many times they linger for a few miles then completely disappear. Sometimes, they stay. This time, they stayed and my overall time suffered. I finished at 5 hours and 3 minutes, my second worst time. But I’m not crying about it. I finished. I’ll live with it; learn from it. For instance: next time, for starters, force yourself to go to bed early every night the week of the race.
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