It's Never Really Over

It seems to have creeped up on me. I've been focusing all of my mental energy on the marathon that I've had little time to digest the fact that the marathon marks the end of my 5 Races in 5 Months Challenge. Five months ago, I endeavored to take on this physical challenge without any real idea that I would be able to accomplish it. I made a decision to envision myself as a person I wasn't sure I could be. And now, on the brink of 26.2 miles, I know I will achieve that. I know that whatever is worth having or worth being is worth working for and fighting for.

But my joy comes with a heavy heart. In the last month alone so many young people have taken their lives as a direct result of the bullying they have endured at school. Justin Aaberg, Billy Lucas, Seth Walsh, Asher Brown, Tyler Clementi. And, as always, my first inspiration Carl Walker Hoover. All of these young people will never have the chance to be the person they could only imagine, have the life they could only dream. I will carry their names in my heart and on my shirt through the crowd of thousands so that everyone will know their names and think of their lives.

I have wondered during these last few months if what I'm doing is enough. Will anything we do ever be enough? I am reminded of a question that was once asked. How can we continue to fight the small injustices when they come from the mother of all injustices? In this case hatred. And the answer, of course, is simply: What other choice is there?