As some of you know, a couple of months ago I decided to run a half marathon before turning 40.   So I signed up for the Stonebridge Ranch Half Marathon in McKinney on February 15th (http://www.playtri.com/sbrhalf). 

When I made this decision it was to attempt to do something meaningful before hitting the 4-0 mark.  As I started to train, I felt that while this goal was aggressive…it didn’t feel complete.  I started thinking a lot about how to make this journey bigger than just my 40th birthday.  On one of my first long runs it hit me…why not turn this challenge into an opportunity.  An opportunity to raise money in honor of someone that is facing a much bigger challenge than a 13.1 mile race…or “getting old”.  Someone who has been an incredible father to 4 amazing kids.  Someone who has shown the rest of us what it means an even better person.  Someone who is a huge inspiration to one of the most supportive and selfless families that I know. 

That someone is Ed Grothaus…who on September 11th, 2012 was diagnosed with ALS…also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease at the young age of 54 years old.  Just a short 16 months later he is unable to walk across a room on his own, barely weighs 100lbs and has had to retire from a job he has loved for the past 25 years.  This has been extremely tough for his family…and for him as ALS eats away at your body…but doesn’t affect your brain.  The worst part about it is that it is 100% fatal and there are no effective treatments.

As his family celebrates every day they have with Ed…I wanted to make this race and my training a celebration of his life…and in honor of his daily fight.  As I struggle to find time and motivation to train in this crappy weather…all I have to think about is the energy that Ed has to exert to do even the simplest task.  And it puts everything in perspective and makes that day’s run feel like a gift rather than a burden.

In honor of Ed I have started a fund through the ALS Association Texas Chapter’s Community Fund called “Run For Ed”.  If you feel inclined, I would ask you to join me in celebrating Ed’s courage by making a donation in his honor.  And in celebration of his wife Jennifer and kids Jessica, Nicky, Raymond and Eddie. 

Simply click on the link below to make a donation:

http://webtx.alsa.org/goto/run4ed

Thanks everyone…I appreciate your support as I “Run For Ed”! 

Travis

Prefer to make a donation by check? Print and submit this form with your gift.