5k to 50k Why Not?

As many already know, our oldest son Kaden works at Fleet Feet in downtown Pensacola when he is not slinging shakes and teas at BAM Nutrition. He has quickly become a shoe specialist and trains runners of all kinds to compete in their respective events. This line of work has also opened him up to the running world and the multitude of events that are available to those willing to subject themselves to various degrees of torture. I never thought of myself as a runner but I will have to admit that through his influence and gaining knowledge about various training methods, I have grown to tolerate and maybe even look forward to days where I can escape through a distance run of some sorts. Kaden was a big influence in my decision to compete in my first 5k event, The Double Bridge Run in Pensacola. I have since continued to try and maintain some semblance of regularity with my running and am looking forward to attempting the 15k of the same event in February.

Kaden of course, due to the training he provides through Fleet Feet, maintains a very regular running routine throughout the year. I do try to make it a point to attend many of these training sessions as it provides an accountability factor of some sorts as well as a variety of scenery through downtown Pensacola. I have also found through my experiences that there is a running community out there that is vast and there are so many different running experiences that await those runners on almost a daily basis that they can take to satisfy their craving for physical activity. Through my participation, I have also discovered a camaraderie that is formed between runners as they share their experiences with each other.

Back in November of 2022, Kaden and Lauren participated in the Turkey Trot which was a 5k event in Pensacola. A few months ago, Kaden informed me that he was signing up for a 50k. I think it took me a second or two to digest what he said and probably had to have him say it again, “you’re going to run a what?” He said it again, “dad, I’m going to run a 50k.” I was definitely caught off guard and immediately asked how far that run was going to take him. He told me it was going to be at the equestrian center on a two and a half mile loop that would see him complete roughly thirty-three miles. Of course, I was thinking that he hadn’t even done a half marathon, let alone a marathon and here he was committing to run well past the twenty-six point two mile marker. My next question pertained to his training and he began to tell about the rough details of the training which would eventually see him running fifteen to twenty miles on many Sundays as well as logging a substantial amount of miles during the week most of which would take place in the heat of the Summer which would turn out to be one of the most brutally hot Summers we have seen in some time. I must say, Burchy and I were very impressed and worried with his training throughout the Summer as he began to accumulate miles day after day in the heat. He seemed very determined to prepare his body and mind for the event that would await him on the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

As Saturday, September 2nd approached, the forecast was starting to look like rain on that morning with some cooler temperatures which would be very welcomed for those participating in the event. That week would also see myself and Ketch come down with some kind of crud that made the week a real struggle to get through. On Friday, I remember getting a call from Kaden asking how I was feeling. I told him I was starting to feel better but still wasn’t feeling my best. He then preceded to ask me how I felt about running and I’m sure the pause on the phone seemed to last an eternity because my mind was trying to figure out why he was asking me about running. He then told me that during his event, after fifteen miles he would be allowed to have someone run with him as a “pacer” or just someone to keep him company. I kind of giggled I think and told him in a very not so reassuring voice that I would have to think about that one. My mind was telling me that getting up at 4:30am on Saturday to be at his event for its eventual start at 6:00am was going to be tough enough after a long week of not feeling well let alone trying to convince my mind to put my legs in motion around a 2.5 mile loop. I told him I would think about it and see how I felt on Saturday.

Kaden was already at the venue when we arrived at 5:15am ready to roll. Burchy and I were both amazed at how many people were already set up for the event and I might say the set ups were very impressive. It was evident that many of these people had “been here done that” before based on what their camp looked like. These setups included tents, chairs, lights, tables, various foods and drinks. I knew running thirty-three miles would take a while but I also learned very quickly some of these people were here to run a one hundred mile event as well that would take longer than twenty-four hours. Holy smokes, a hundred miles? Wow! Kaden was in good spirits and seemed ready to begin his quest for a 50k finish. As the morning went along, we saw Kaden take a quick pit stop with every lap to replenish drink or grab a bite to eat. I must say, it was amazing to see so many people participating at various levels of this event which included a wide range of ages and body types. It was becoming clear that there is something that brings these people back to these events time and time again. There was one gentleman that kept changing into costumes to complete each of his laps which was very entertaining to watch.

After Kaden completed his first fifteen miles, he stopped for a quick break where is stated he was not feeling very well and it was at that time he looked at me and asked if I was ready. I must say I was feeling pretty good since I had some time to ease into the day so I pulled my shirt off and told him I was ready. As we took off on my first loop with him, I’ll have to say I felt a sense of gratitude being able to share this experience with Kaden. One, I was grateful that my body was physically accepting of me to do this and two I was thankful that Kaden wanted his dad to accompany him on this run. I’ll have to admit, that even if I did not feel like it, I was not going to let him down and miss this opportunity. During my first loop I followed his lead as to when he wanted to jog and when he wanted to walk. His fellow colleague from work, Mark, also spent a good deal of time with us through the loop. As we were traversing the course, we came into contact with many people. Many of these people were also participants in the event but there were also many positioned along the course for direction and encouragement. Kaden and Mark would offer positive comments for fellow runners as they were on their own personal quest to reach a goal. It was pretty awesome to see that while there were so many from different walks of life here they all were grinding it out together and each was encouraging the other to keep going. Some were running at a pace that I could not fathom while others were walking step by step chewing up the thousands of steps it would take to complete their task.

I ended up completing three loops with Kaden which would be about seven and half miles worth of his journey. It will be seven and half miles I will never forget and am truly grateful that I had that opportunity with him. I also walked away realizing how many people are out there chasing their own challenges and celebrate overcoming them. After seven hours and six minutes, Kaden accomplish his goal of completing a 50k. Lauren accompanied him on his last lap and brought him to the finish where he crossed with a smile on his face even though his body was experiencing a discomfort he had never felt before. I know he had to feel a great deal of pride in his accomplishment as well as relief as he stated he would never do it again……which I’m not so sure about. Soon after, he was quick to send Burchy and myself a text expressing his gratitude for our support and love through his event which was greatly appreciated. It was then, that in quick reflection of the event that had transpired that morning just how lucky I was that we were able to share in that experience with him. I’m sure I can speak for Burchy in saying that we both felt an overwhelming sense of pride and love for Kaden and what he was able to achieve for himself that Saturday morning.

I think he will soon realize that while finishing the race is a feat in itself, the will and determination that was required to silence the inner self that was probably begging him to stop is much more of an accomplishment as it adds a layer of armor to oneself that will serve to protect as life continues to delve out adversity. Often times, the biggest joys in life lie right on the other side of difficult and struggle, we just have to fight to get to the other side. I told Kaden this event was a true testament to staying present in the mind, focusing on the next step and running the race 200ft at a time. We spent many years working on mental strategies hoping it would be the key to a promising baseball career and little did we know how well it would serve him later in the world of running and in life.

We love you Kaden and are so proud of you. Keep running the race, we are always here for you and ready to run a lap with you if you need it. Keep dominating life 200ft at a time big guy!