We are not invincible. No one would think they are. We though often time just don’t remember we might be taken from this world in an instant, unplanned and unprepared. My friend’s recent sudden passing away reminded me of how fragile life us and how I should live my life more purposefully.
I like to think I am still in my prime, like my friend, just a little over the hill, but still he was supposed to have many years left.
We even made plans about races to do. At least next year, I am going to go to this race or that race so on. Among several friends, we frequently share about our dreams and goals as we all do when after a race or something, we plan for the next.
When I signed up for Old Dominion this year, my friend mentioned he would like to do it too but the time requirement to finish is incredibly fast for a 100 mile. Normally, other races give 30-32 hours, Old Dominion sets it at 28 hours. It is not impossible but it a limit that stops many people.
We were also toying the idea of running Vermont 100, which has a 30 hour limit, so a bit easier. I had to do both since they were part of the grand slam which I was aiming for at the time. So there was no ifs or buts for me.
We made plans how to train to break the 28 hours. If we could not do it this year, we believed we would have many years to attempt them. There’s always next year or so they say.
All those plans came to a halt. We did not know how little time we (he) had left.
Sometimes, we wish if we had just a bit more time or if we only knew ahead of time how much time we have left. We would treasure those moments a bit more.
I could not say whether if I have done anything differently. It was a sobering moment when I woke up this week and found he was no longer here.
My friend left memories he had spent with his daughters, his coworkers, his golf buddies and his running friends.
My friend was commended for the community he built. At his service, various people from his circle of friends spoke of his traits and the special moments they had with him.
As an ultrarunner, I paid more attention when someone told of the time he overcame a hard race known as The Ring (our local club’s famous mountain race). No one in their right mind would do something like that for fun. As an ultrarunner, we knew but could not explain why either other than we enjoy doing hard things.
It made me to reflect on my own life and what if it were my own funeral. What would people say about me. In a sense, I don’t really care. They can say whatever they want. However, deep down, I think anyone would want to know they are less of a jerk and more of qualities someone would love to remember by.
My friend was a decent guy. Even though his brother-in-law said the guy had a lot of flaws. I was all ear ready to hear what I did not know about him. They said he spoke his mind and did not mince words. He loved eating. He drove fast and lived life to the extreme (being an ultra runner that is, anyone who ran a 100 mile to the world is a little craze craze). I translated that to living to the fullest.
All those things are not too bad. He was one of us. Not sure how to end this. His family was heartbroken as is anybody who knew him. I knew through running. Surely, he will be missed each year I am running the same race he was in and he won’t be there. Some of us, as his running friend will remember him throufg our runs. I have not gone out the trail, but today, I made it that at least I made some effort to do a mile for my friend Tony.
In awe 