About 26.4.26 Final Public Thoughts

"Final Public Thoughts" because from here on out, I need to quietly and privately reflect on the events of yesterday, the week behind it and December 14, 2012 and how they affected me, my family, those around me and our county.

All across the country everyone has been paying tribute and memorial to this horrible day in history.  We, in Nashville were no different.  You can read my account on how this came about by clicking here.

As predicted, the running and triathlon community (and I would venture to guess that a few non-runners were present as well), responded in a manner and fashion worthy of high praise.  Total tally was 1012 runners, running over 10,000 miles and over $30,000 in donations collected.  This does not take into account the on-line donations.  Final count to be announced soon.

The angel assigned to me, or the one that I randomly picked, I can't remember how it happened, was Dawn Hochsprung, 47.  She was the school principal.  I promptly put her in a pocket designed for the iPod shuffle my running hat has.  Today I would carry my angel here, not my iPod.

My wife and both our daughters had joined the run.  They were there early in the morning for we had a job to do.  After we all had our angel assignments  we proceeded  to inflate 27 balloons with helium   Yes, we chose to inflate one for the "mom" as well.  This was my daughter's idea.  We all agreed. 

These balloons were to be released right before the run started.

I took all 27 balloons with me and weaved through the crowd handing one each to random runners.  It seemed like everyone wanted a balloon, but when I explained that we only had 27, everyone understood.

These are two video clips that were made from yesterday.  They captured the spirit of the event, so I will not go into detail because I'm afraid I can't do any better than this.

I've become aware of a couple of occurrences that took place before the run  that have left me wondering and scratching my head a bit.

1).  As we lined up ready for the start, the balloons were scattered throughout the crowd.  As they were released, it appeared that the wing gathered them all together as the floated up to the heavens.  I thought I had imagined this, but several folks mentioned the same thing to me.

2).  My brother lives in Florida, outside Tampa.  He had been following the events that led to this run.  Being a runner and a new triathlete he wanted to help.  He signed up and committed to running 26 miles.  His longest run ever.

Since he couldn't be here, he decided to make his own angel.  This is what he did...

And because he couldn't be here, I picked up an angel for him, and this is it...

He did not know I had him an angel, I did not know he made his own. When I told him and we realized the coincidence, we didn't know what to say.

3). This morning as I was going through facebook, I read a reply to a post.  It appears that my friend Shari's angel was Benjamin.  Again, and angel picked or assigned randomly.  Shari was one of the first people to get a balloon. I picked one from the bunch.  Shari's balloon was Benjamin's.

Additionally, upon discussing this new found information, my wife Monica told me that the same thing happened to her.  Both angel and balloon were one and the same... Chase!

4).  My sister noticed:  "Funny you would get the principal's name since you're very much a teacher/mentor to so many..."

I don't know what this all means, perhaps you could make some sense of it.  I am not a believer of coincidences per se; I believe that there's a greater power in control.  To me, this was obvious yesterday.

As I try to decompress and move forward, I'm taking with me the fact that I now have my very own guarding angel.  From here on out, every race I run, every event I participate in, I will carry the brave Principal's memory with me and I know that just as she had her student's back that December morning, she will have mine.

For Charlotte, Daniel, Rachel, Olivia, Josephine, Dylan, Dawn, Madeliene, Catherine, Chase, Nancy, Jesse, Ana, James, Grace, Anne, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Lauren, Mary, Victoria, Benjamin and Allison...I will never forget and May You Rest In Peace!

About 26.4.26

If you live in the Middle Tennessee area and you happen to be a member of its outstanding running community, or one of your friends happens to be a runner and is on facebook, perhaps you have heard about the amazing event that is taking place this coming Saturday at 8 AM, here in Nashville.

On Monday afternoon, Robbie Bruce had the bright idea to involve a few of his friends in a 26 mile run in memory of each of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy.  So he texted his business partner and friend to solicit feedback.  Two texts later the decision had been made.

Later on that evening, my daughter recruited me to be one of the 26 runners that would participate in this event.  Yes, the idea was to have 26 people (individuals or relay teams) each run 26 miles. Each person would also donate $1 per mile.  These funds would go to the United Way of Western Connecticut.  WOW.. How awesome.  Immediately I agreed.

I posted on facebook my intentions to participate.  I read Robbie's post about the "why" of this event and it made all kinds of sense.  He has a 7 year old son and a mother and sister who are teachers.  He felt the need to do something.  I agreed.

Immediately all of us who had committed started recruiting.  We needed to find the 26 individuals or enough to fill relay teams.  Before we had a chance to take a deep breath the ball started rolling.  Everyone who could or though they could committed to running.  I think by the end of that night the initial goal had been reached and surpassed.

Within the first 24 hours the numbers had jumped to over 200.  And they were rolling in faster than could be tracked.  A facebook page was created for the event so folks could get the information needed.  This event had taken a life of its own.  People were asked to go here and agree to "attend".

Information was coming out rapidly.  All TV Stations in Middle Tennessee reported on the event yesterday, as did the local newspaper.   People were getting excited.  The numbers kept growing.  Changes would have to be made to the original plan.

As of this writing 640 people have committed through the fb page to participate.  This number has grown to a point where the original route has been changed.  We are now running from Nashville's LP Stadium.  The Nashville Running Company had originally agreed to host the event.  WOW, who knew! Thank you Lee Wilson for being there willing to do this.

Folks can run, walk or a combination of both.  They can do 6.5 miles, 13 miles, 19.5 miles or all 26.  As a matter of fact you can do any distance you want. There will be no starting gun, no timing chip, no finish line.  This is being done to "remember and support".

We expect the number to surpass 1000.  We just do.  We have no doubt, just how many past that will be an awesome number to see.

Additionally, many runnres who will be out of town, or that have heard of this event, have pledged to run their miles on their own and make a donation on line.

You don't have to run to participate.  A page has been set up so donations can be made.  Click here to go to this page.  There's also a option to purchase bumper stickers or tee shirts. Click here for more information.

A personal message from me to the Nashville and Middle Tennessee Running Community:  I am proud and honored to be associated with such magnificent, caring and giving people.  I am thankful that you folks have allowed me the opportunity to get to know you through these past few years.  You encompass the true meaning of Love.  Thank You!