My training group meets every Saturday morning at 7.30 am.  It’s the one group run we have each week - it’s also the easiest for me because of all the support.  This week, Rachel, our trainer, posted the following message before we met up: 

We have a special visitor tomorrow!  Roger Reynolds, owner of Romp n Roll Mechanicsville and founder of CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation, will be running with us.  Roger recently lost his 4.5 year old daughter to a brain tumor.  He and his wife began this non-profit organization to benefit other families facing the life threatening illnesses.  In order to raise money, Roger has decided to challenge himself by running TWO marathons in 34 days!  I am honored to be coaching Roger through this challenge and invited him to join us tomorrow.

When Roger showed up at the meeting place, he was so strong and together, I figured it had been a while since his daughter had passed away.  Turns out she passed away in January of this year.  Since then, Roger and his wife have managed to raise tons of money.  His story is inspiring - it’s also heartbreaking.  Running IS cheaper than therapy, and there is rarely a Saturday run that passed where one of us isn’t tearful (with joy or sadness) about something.  I think it’s safe to say many of us were touched and amazed at CJ’s story.  Once I could get over the sadness I felt that his daughter suffered and passed away from something like this, I felt understood.  Roger is coping with his grief partly by running - and running has been one of the best tools I’ve had at my disposal for dealing with my own grief and sorrow. 

Please check out the site and if you want to help, there are many ways to get involved.  It was truly a privilege meeting Roger.  It was even better getting to run with him.