Eiche fam

I recently participated in a virtual run from February 7-14. Its purpose was to raise money and awareness for CHD awareness — congenital heart defects. As a virtual event, it could be participated anywhere, throughout the entire week.

I started running a bit during the summer last year, but I stopped as the weather became colder. Since the beginning of this year, though, I picked it up again after getting some warmer running gear.

When I heard about the Roar ‘N Run through the Mended Little Hearts Facebook page, I jumped at the chance. Something you enjoy doing? Check. Supports something you’re passionate about? Check. I was totally there.

I signed up for the half marathon, figuring if I did at least two miles a night (which is about my average anyway), I’d end up at about 14 miles.

I started out doing far better than I expected; for the first couple nights, I did four miles each. But then I came down with some kind of bug, and I only ran a couple miles a night. I had to take a couple nights off, too, because it became too difficult to breathe while running.

I ended up finishing the week at 13.3 miles. It wasn’t as good as I had planned at the beginning of the week, but I still met the original goal of 13.1 miles.

So my medal for having participated in the Roar ‘N Run came in the mail yesterday. Namine had all sorts of questions about it, like why there was a lion on it, and why it was shaped like a heart.

Namine understands that she was born with a defective heart, but it fascinated her that there might be other kids like her: kids who have also been born with hearts that need fixing, kids who also have a scar on their chest like she does.

In warmer weather, Namine comes on walks and runs with me. She and I did the Al’s Run 5K together back in September, although matching her speed then was more of a brisk walk for me than a run. But as her arms increase in strength, she can go faster in her wheelchair.

It’s still too cold out for Namine to come with me, so I run by myself. (Although lately in this -30 windchill, it’s been too cold for even me to go out.) But until the warm comes again, I go out alone, putting one foot in front of the other. Braving the cold, always thinking of my little love. My Namine.