Don’t run with your legs… run with your heart

Dean Karnazes

The picture above was taken right before disaster struck. Although everyone running in the photo looks strong, the man in blue is actually feeling otherwise. About 100m before the end of the race, when this picture was taken, he started feeling dizzy and feeling as though the race was about end for him. With every everything he had, despite feeling dead, he finished the race to black out at the end. Releasing his lunch, he was helped up and taken back to our tent. Was I worried? YES! My brother was being rushed to the ER

When we helped him back to the tent, he kept saying how sick he felt and how terrible he felt. We thought possibly that he might have been dehydrated because it was a scorching day. when he was brought to the ER, he was run through many different tests. Although nothing regarding feeling sick can back positive, the doctor walked in saying something they couldn’t believe,”we need to take an MRI to make sure.” An MRI? what would they need to do that for? Of course they did exactly as the doctors said. When the results came back, they luckily found out that he wasn’t sick in any way, but something that had nothing to do with being sick at the end of the race; there was a hole in his heart. The hole would never have been found if it wasn’t for this episode that he experienced. After a few months, my parents set up an appointment to have a stint put in to fix the problem.

My brother has a huge impact on my life and continues to run today for Spring Arbor. My brother didn’t let something like a defective heart stop him from doing something he loved; No one should. My brother gave everything for what he loved even though he was in pain. in a similar way, Jesus did the same for us. Although it was painful and he could’ve given up at any time, he kept persevering to do what he set out to do. He went through the pain for something we love. Give your everything for what you love and enjoy and you will find true happiness.