Out of Time

"At the end of my life...I hope I have used everything I had until I simply...ran out of time." -Dave McGillivray

This week brings with it two tough anniversaries. It's been five years since my college friend, Meghan, barely 21, passed away very suddenly due to Myocarditis, and one year since the loss of my childhood friend, Austin, who fought a tough battle with Leukemia for nearly 18 months. It hurts so much to think that these young people so full of life, so loved by family and friends, and so uniquely themselves could be taken away so soon. Every year at this time, despite the new buds appearing on trees, the warm sun, and the chirping birds, I find myself reflecting on just how short our time here may be. Every year since Meghan's passing I've used this anniversary as a time to reach out to friends and remind them in some way, however small, how much I would miss them if they were gone. Together with Meghan's family and friends, I've encouraged others to do the same. 

I read an article in Runner's World last month when I was cooped up in the Raleigh airport for several hours. The piece focused on Dave McGillivray, organizer of the Boston Marathon and many other road races nation-wide. At the end of Marathon day in Boston, McGillivray heads back to Hopkinton and runs the course himself. In addition, he runs his age in miles on his birthday every year. This year, he'll be 57. When asked about how long he would continue his traditions, he basically responded, "as long as I can." His story makes me want to get up and run until I can't take any more. To actively use my body, my heart, and my brain until there is nothing left. To love and laugh and live until I run out of time.

I think that what strikes me about McGillivray is the fact that he takes the promises he makes to himself as seriously as the promises he makes to others. We can all afford to take a page from his book. Sometimes the promises we make to ourselves are harder to keep, but they are the most important. So this year, my new challenge, which I will extend to all of you, is to never be afraid to make genuine promises to myself, and to hold myself accountable for keeping those promises.