Team Hoyt rocks my socks. (need motivation, anyone? watch the video at the end)

[lilsurfermama]

This morning, I woke up late (after not sleeping well last night), didn’t have time for breakfast or a shower, and couldn’t find my keys.  i was running late and very bitter about my decision to sign up for an 8:30 am , 1 1/2 hour long, Human anatomy and physiology lecture.

As i was stuck in traffic, in the middle of nowhere on 501,i looked up to see this billboard, for the first time  (click the link for the billboard, this is the only googled pic i could find, obviously much smaller, and in some big city, haha.  I’m not internet savy enough to figure out how to copy a picture from flash.)

..my first thought was, "yeay, i LOVE these two!" (team Hoyt) and it made me smile. For those of you who don't know the story, Rick Hoyt (the son) has cerebal palsy.  Back in the 70's ( i believe) Rick was attending public school , when a five-mile benefit run was held for a local lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Rick wanted to participate, to show everyone that being paralyzed doesn't mean life is over. Dick (the dad) was not a runner, but agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. During the run, Rick felt as though he simply wasn't handicapped anymore - he was just one of the runners. Wanting to give Rick this feeling as often as possible, Dick ran in an increasing number of events with his son.  (check out their website here http://www.teamhoyt.com/ for even a glimpse of what these two do!) 

  My second thought (after texting my sister Holly a picture, and "passing it on") was "65 marathons, that doesn’t even do them justice."  how about the 224+ triathlons, 6 of which were full Ironman competitions (a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run)?  then it occured to me how many many people don’t even comprehend what a marathon is, never mind an ironman!  As many of you runners have surely encountered, so many people have said to me,"oh cool, we have a marathon in my town, it’s like 4 miles i think".  gah.    Regardless, great billboard.  I love the Hoyts and the message of love, hope, strength (you name it really) that they spread.  They are just awesome, and i’m so proud to be a part of the "community" that they affiliate themselves with . Runners rock.  (triathletes are my idols)  And i would love to just pass on their story.

(and while browsing the website, i saw THIS BILLBOARD and it made me feel much, much better about my seemingly never ending college career.)

p.s. ready to cry your eyes out (in a good way!)  Watch this video:

 

In Health and Love,
Heather

 

[mommyontherun_e]

Mar. 25, 2008 at 11:47 PM Thank you so much for sharing! You always have such awesome things to pass on. thanks again.

[miimom]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 8:17 AM

Very, very cool . . . it gave me goosebumps!  Thanks for sharing:)

[runningmomVA]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 2:12 PM Thanks for sharing- and I have gotten the marathon question as well. You'd think people would know!