Hey there friends!
Al and I have been running marathons for over a decade now... crazy! What started as a "Bucket List" item turned into a habit and we find ourselves training every year for another 26.2 miles. Each race has been just for health and fun but this year we're running Grandma's Marathon in honor of a sweet boy named Isaiah who left this world a year ago but his story lives on. Isaiah's dad is Jeff, Jeff is our good friend. Jeff has never run a marathon... or 5k or... a mile? But he's running Grandma's as well and he asked us if we'd join him. HECK YEAH, we said!
Read a note from Jeff that will tell a bit more of the story behind why we're running for Children's:
"Children's Hospital became a second home not only for Isaiah, but for my entire family. We spent countless days and nights at Children's while Isaiah was being cared for. When Isaiah was brought to Children's because he was sick, they cared for him like he was their only patient. When he recovered from his illnesses, they rejoiced and celebrated. And when he took his last breath, Children's staff cried with us at his bedside. Children's had become like family.
When Isaiah was born and we found out how special he was, our goal for him was to run. All serious medical decisions were based around this goal. The night Isaiah walked when he was three, we all, including himself, cheered. But the day he ran in the front yard while playing with his brother and sisters, I rejoiced and gave thanks to God.
I watched my son, either because of his determination or his stubbornness, reach milestones never thought possible. It is because of this determination I am running Gramma's Marathon. This is a very little way I can give back to a hospital, which has done so much for me and my family, while honoring my son."
Thanks for helping us reach our goal!! Hope to see you on the course. If you're between miles 1-20 we'll happily give you high fives and sweaty hugs, but 20-26 we're typically a bit delirious so no guarantees! Hah!
Al + Lyndsey
