(This is an old photo. I'm going faster and looking cooler this year.)
I am not going to win this race, but it's not about winning. I'll be doing my best, and that's good enough for me. Tomorrow is the annual Memorial Day Bolder Boulder 10K Road Race, and here are the real reasons I'm running it:
I am running for Jason Galles, a brother and a great friend who left us exactly four years ago today. You and your obnoxious laugh are still missed. Also, Rocky and Steve, two of the smartest men I've ever known are no longer with us. The world is certainly a less-interesting place without you all.
I am running for the men and women serving overseas or right here at home, and those who didn't get to come back home. You're greatly missed and appreciated.
I am running for my brothers and sisters with spinal injuries. One of the first things I wanted to do when I found out I wasn't paralyzed, was run, swim and even dance – and I do them all with the knowledge that that ability has been taken away from me and could be again at any minute. It's unfortunate you're not all as lucky as me. Your strength, spirit and outlook on life amazes me more than any Olympic athlete's skills.
I am running for my family, who thinks this is yet another stupid idea of mine. Which, it is. But you guys rock.
I am running for the SDSU Kids, the NYU Swim Team Boys and the Colorado Gang. You guys are truly the best, and my nights would be darker without out you, my stories a lot more boring and my wallet would be fatter, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I am running for Short-Haired Girl, who couldn't run her own race because of an injury.
I am running for Mekaneck (my implanted neck) and Old Clicky (my refurbished knee), you two bastards complain a lot, but you literally keep me upright.
I am running for my fans, because you always seem to like what I do.
But most of all, I'm running for Rooster & Moon Coffee Pub.
(Repping Rooster & Moon. Of course, my dog has to smell my nuts while I'm taking my money-making photo)
This great independently-owned (that means it's not Starbucks, kids) coffee shop is located on 955 Bannock Street in Denver, Colorado. It's hard to say what's better: the coffee, the food, the smoothies, the amazing world famous banana pudding, the high-speed Internet, the atmosphere, the fantabulous staff or the place itself. R&M won this year's "Your Ad Here" bidding contest, and I'll be repping them for the entire race, finish line party, after party and etc. So when you see the giant shaved monkey man with blaze orange shorty short shorts clomping towards you, you (and thousands of others) will see their logo posted all over me. And yes, I actually go to Rooster & Moon. I'm not saying that just because they paid me. And the blaze orange short shorts were my idea.
So there you go folks. Happy Memorial Day! And good luck to the other Bolder Boulder runners!