Running is something done for enjoyment or competitive racing.  It’s something that is utilized to increase your stamina, endurance and physical condition.  It’s something that’s grown pretty popular throughout the country now with thousands of people who take part in 5K’s, 10K’s, half marathons, relays and full marathons to challenge themselves.  I’ve met so many people through my running personally that you start to gain more appreciation for the training and hard work that’s put in to help you achieve your success. 
Less than a year ago, during a fitting event that was held on the weekend of Independence Day in my home county (Red Lake County) I was asked to take part in the Oklee Centennial celebration at their 5K.  The director called me and asked if I would run during it and announced who I was and what I do prior to the start.  I was also used as the fixture during the National Anthem sung by a young girl from Oklee; to hold the American flag high for all to stand and face.  It was a hot and muggy day…extremely hot and humid.  Everyone had a hard time running in it, but it was still fun.  Crossing the finish line there felt good, just to finally be done running.  When your shirt sticks to your body when you’re only going three miles, I don’t consider it very enjoyable.   After that race which some of my family also took part in, I had the chance to visit with quite a few people, some that knew me from growing up but I didn’t have a clue who they were.  I recognized names, and remembered some kind of by sports they played in high school, but that was about it.  My parents and I were talking to the guy that won the event that day, catching up on how things were going and the regular small talk.  I ended up talking to him and one other guy originally from Oklee that were both avid runners about different races we’d taken part in, where we were going throughout the rest of the year and training routines.  The winner of the 5K in Oklee was Paul Melby.  I only knew his name because he was about the same age as my sister so I had heard about him from the days of track and other sports.  He talked with me one on one about my running in honor and memory of the fallen soldiers and a little more in tune with the guy on my shirt, Corey Rystad.  We went back and forth about a lot of topics and one he had mentioned right away was that he kept up with my running pretty often through this website blog.  That was really nice to hear another runner read what I wrote about once a week.  He told me how it helps to keep him going with his running and inspired him to push himself to do better.  I thought he was just trying to be nice and had heard from others there that I had been doing this, but he mentioned in particular some blog posts that he really liked, talking about some of my comments he enjoyed.  Another topic we had discussed was not only Corey but others who had passed away at a young age, just within the county we both grew up in.  With it being so humid that day too, he commented to me how hot he got and I said the same thing to him…along with “I’m just glad I didn’t pass out and was able to finish in this heat!  I bet everyone can say the same thing.” 
I got a text message this morning from my friend Nate who I stayed with in Green Bay last year during the Cellcom Half Marathon, which was held this weekend now over there again.   He informed me that Paul had died yesterday morning at a marathon event near the Twin Cities.  My mom sent me the same note by email later that morning, telling me that he had collapsed during the run he was taking part in by St. Joseph, MN and died not long after.   He was only 35 years old.   I couldn’t believe it.   After I got the email about it, which my mom reminded me that he had won the 5K in Oklee last July, my conversation with him came back to me, thinking about those two things we discussed.   Hoping no one would collapse in the heat & the number of young people gone from our home area.   I’m not sure what the weather was like yesterday during the run there, but it sure wasn’t hot and humid I know that.  
There will be a lot of people taking part in the Fargo Marathon events this coming weekend, and Paul would have been one of them.  He along with his dad from what I was told, were signed up to run the half – the same event I’ll be running with my parents. 
Both good and bad things are going to happen to us.  They do every day.   We can’t control that, but we can control how we react to what happens.  Some may see an instance like that and think I’m never going to run again, it’s too much of a risk.  After talking to Paul for maybe ten minutes last summer, a guy I hadn’t met in person before, just knew the name…he helped me realize that there are people who appreciate something good we’re trying to do.  That no matter what place you take in a race you’re part of, doing “what you’re doing” is something worthwhile.   Hearing that from him and a few others that day is another part of the fact I’ll keep running. 
It’s crazy and in this case unfortunate, how things can turn out the way they do.  Such a tragic thing for his family to go through.  Waiting for good news of how the finish went at the race turns into something you never want to hear.  His wife and three kids will pull through with the strength and support of family and friends but it will never bring back their father and husband.   I didn’t know him well, but many did.  As a fellow runner it still sets you into a mindset of disbelief.  I’m glad I got to meet him in person and chat as much as we did to know that he was a big time supporter of what this team is all about.  He’ll be watching down on us with the team of fallen soldiers who have strengthened my journey from start to finish line at every location we go to. 
Another situation to open your eyes to the big picture.  Life can be short…make the most of every day.  Say what you want to say, do what you want to do.  Set out and act on what you want to accomplish.  It’s never too late to start. 
One more week of training to go, less than six days until the first half marathon of the season…Fargo, ND.  We’ll have our team captain Sgt. Rystad save Paul a seat with the team to watch over us, cheer us on and help make every step that much easier in our journey to the 11^th half marathon finish line.