15 September 2009

I Run For My Wife

I do not talk about it much here on my blog, but my wife is very sick. Two years ago she was diagnosed with severe lung disease that is a result from radiation treatment years ago. It has progressively been getting worse, and now the doctors are saying it may be due to other factors as well.

This past Thursday night I was writing a blog post about your body being stronger than it thinks it is, a post which is still saved in my drafts and will be published later, when my wife called me from the other room.

She was having trouble breathing, and I could tell it was not good. I needed to call 911. Her lung collapsed, and since her lungs are diseased it made the situation worse. She is still in the hospital and it seems she will be in here for some time yet.

In the back of my mind I have always ran for my wife and kids. I run to get healthier, so that I can take care of them. I run to have more energy, so that I can keep up with them. I run to inspire them, so that they can know what the human body is capable of. But now is the time that I really need to run for my wife.

This is race week in Philadelphia. The ING Philadelphia Distance Run is on Sunday and I have been signed up since the beginning of the summer. Luckily, even though my wife may still be in the hospital, she will be well enough for me to head over to the art museum and run the 13.1 miles.... and run it for her.

I need to show her that the human body will always think itself to be weak, but even when it is sick, it is capable of much more than we can even fathom. I need my running to inspire her and give her hope. I want my running to get into her soul and give her strength to push on.

This weekend at the Philadelphia Distance Run I will be letting everyone know who I run for. I will be wearing one of these on the front of my shirt so the cameras can pick it up, and I will be wearing another on the back, so that every runner I pass will know that I run with a purpose.



This weekend I am running with only one thing in mind. My Wife.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish you luck, and health for your wife.

Lindsay said...

i'm sorry to hear of all you and the family are going through. i like your positive attitude and healthy thoughts, and will be thinking of you and your wife! run hard at pdr, though i know you don't need to hear that, you already will.

N.D. said...

I am so sorry to hear about this also. It is great you are running for your wife. I'll look for you!

Pat said...

Good luck on your run and best wishes for your wife.

Stacey said...

Wow, that is some story. Really touched me. You're a pretty great guy! Your family is lucky to have such love and support.

I hope that your family has the strength and courage to get though this rough time.

This Saturday I will run a mile for you and your family.

Take care.

RoyMcC said...

Well done for your positive and caring attitude and for putting it out there for us. Best wishes.

joyRuN said...

Best wishes for your wife & good luck with everything.

billdowis said...

Thank you all for your kind comments.

I did well at the PDR and am finally getting around to putting up a race report.

My wife is out of the hospital, but still a long road to recovery.

As I run for her, I encourage everyone to remember all those that can not run. There are millions of stories out there similar to mine, and it is great to know that running creates a community for all of us to support each other.

Thank You!

M said...

Good luck to you and best wishes for a speedy recovery to your wife - you are an inspiration to us all!