Friday, June 18, 2010

Dude, Where's My Van?

It takes very little to take my breath away. The simple act of leaning over to tie my shoes is enough to keep me panting for a good minute or so. I used to climb the stairs at work and in my house two steps at a time. It has been several months now since I stopped doing that. There are other things I used to do that are just too laborious for my body. I quit riding my bike last year when the first snow fell. I just didn't know it yet. Twice this year I pumped up the tires on my bike and I had to sit down before I could get on it to ride a block to the store. I miss the active me.

Last night:
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, " Lois said. "Amy D. is running a race this weekend. They are running from Logan, Utah, to Park City. Every year they run for someone. This year they are running for you."
"What?"
"They are running in your honor, and to raise awareness for organ donation."

I thought about this and it made me gulp. I even had the start of tears forming in my eye. And for a moment I am back in my garage pumping up my tires and I feel like I'm finally going for a ride. "This sounds way cool,"  I am thinking to myself.

"That sounds way cool," I say out loud.

"Their team is all having a barbecue tomorrow and they would like it if we could stop by."

Tonight:
I feel a little shy and apprehensive as we enter the house. The team is laughing and joking and it sounds like they are all having fun. Amy introduces our family to the the team members that are there and we sit down and have burgers. I am unfamiliar with the race and I ask Amy how long it is.
"It's 188 miles."
"Oh my gosh!" I say.
"Yeah, it's a long ways," Amy laughs.
The run is called the Ragnar Relay's Wasatch Back and their team is called, 'Dude, Where's My Van?' Amy has been running this race from the very beginning. This is its seventh year. The team consists of 12 people and there are 3 legs. Each runner does a particular leg and then another team member takes over. They do this three times. This year there are 13,000 participants.
As Lois and I asked how they all got together and started doing this, they began reminiscing about their past events and told us stories that had us rolling on the floor. The apprehension that I had earlier was long forgotten. This group of people -- this team -- had left me smiling.
I am moved by the kindness that these strangers have extended. They are running because they love it. But that I am to be part of it has me running along beside them.

Also visit this link:

http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/68/10009307/Reasons-to-Run-Dude-Were-running-for-Beaux-and-organ-donation.html

5 comments:

  1. Wow, that is a way cool honor, Beaux! ;)

    I just looked at their site. They do all this in 24 hours? It actually sounds like fun now that I read more of the details.

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  2. I admire anyone who can run and find it amusing. Great website- and great that they are running in your honor. I am glad you were able to meet them and it was fun-So will you get to see them run at all?

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  3. *mary*
    I think they just do it until there done. I am very excited about it.

    Crystal Iris,
    I am leaving work early tomorrow and the whole family is running up to Park City to watch them cross the finish line. They are supposed to come in around 3:00 p.m. and will be arriving at the Canyon Ski Resort.
    I found out today that one of people at my work is also in the race. I am hoping I get to see them come in as well.
    I read today that this is the biggest relay race in the world. This year there are 13,000 participants.

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  4. That's so moving and awesome. And "Dude, Where's My Van" is a total win for a team name :D

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  5. Wow,what a wonderful way to get publicity and have fun. I'mglad you got to meet them.

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