Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who gave me more than enough support I needed to complete the maratón for AtravesNicaragua today. My goal was to run 26.2 miles but after oficial calculation, I ran a Little more than 27 miles. I cannot fairly or accurately explain the emotions that flooded my heart and brain as I approached mile 20. I have run several marathons but what I do not remember in any other maratón is feeling like I could have kept running, as I did today at mile 20. As happens during marathons, I suffered a great amount of pain at mile 18 and I had to briefly stop running. But of course I continued to walk. I walked to a restaurant on the trail and told them I needed to sit a moment. The owners asked me if I was okay and I explained to them I was running a maratón and why I was running. As I explained to one of the owners that I was running for an organization in Nicaragua, I instantly noticed a change in him and his eyes began to wáter. I could also see that he had difficulty speaking and his co-worker (who I am now assuming was his wife) explained to me that he was from Nicaragua. When the man was able to speak, he spoke of Esteli and Managua and of all his family and friends there. I told him I knew Esteli very well. And he could barely respond. Then he started to list names of cities and asked if I knew them. Because they were all near Managua, I told him I did. He invited me to sit, and instead of brining me the cup of wáter that I earlier asked for, he brought me coffee and two fried eggs. We changed information and I headed back to the trail. But before getting back on the trail (after 12 minutes) I looked at my Facebook page. When I looked at my Facebook page at mile 18, I saw the dozens of messages from my family and friends. My friends and collegues at AtravesNicaragua kept in touch, my running friends from Northern California, the people I grew up with and of course my family. I felt a renewed energy that had an incredible physical impact on me. I was even encouraged by two people who I had not spoken with in a very long time (due to conflict) but only because they knew about this maratón today, they took the time to send their support. As is customary when I run marathons, my sister “Princess” Dr. Lori N. Taylor monitored me (every five miles) to ensure I was staying on course and feeling okay and knowing she was there and would be calling, kept me putting one foot in front of the other. Also as customary, my parents Marcellous Taylor called me (and I called them) to make sure I was still breathing and speaking to veteran runner William E. Thomas and his wife Brenda Thomas (mother of Maceo Thomas) just made me feel proud I was still representing my community in a decent way. My friend Judge Richard J. Richard J Jamborsky) woke very early this morning to take me to the course. And he did this willingly even after I lost his American Express card last night because he treated for the maratón pasta dinner before the run. But he was there and he promised to meet me at mile 25 with juice and food. To see the judge running up the trail at mile 25, with a bag full of oranges and cold wáter was like an oasis in the desert. Over the last two decades, my friend “the judge” has been my oasis when I needed one and when I did not. He simply is always there. After each maratón I usually receive a beautiful medal. I will not forget when I received the new Marine Corps Marathon medal one year. When I arrived at my parents, my Little brother Karam Taylor picked up the medal, put it on and I never saw it again. This actually made me feel honored and proud. So every maratón after that, I wore my medal from the race course to my home and then immediately give it my brother. It is one of my favorite gifts to give during the year and last night before going to bed, My wonderful brother wrote me to give me his love. I never forget these things. Because I know very well not everyone is this fortunate. I wish everyone was. I feel incredibly fortunate not only because I can run, but more because of the support I have. For example my father—my tradition before marathons is to wake him up, then in whatever weather, he drives me to the race course. Usually in the dark, usually in the freezing cold and usually while giving me nervous advice as if I am going off to war. He simply worries about his son. And today, I missed my dad not doing this. But that was only because it was not convenient for me to do so. Thank you to sister Cheryl Taylor Gresham who kept me company during the race. She usually tells me to run faster or will ask why I am not done yet, but as long as she believes this is payback for my treatment towards her when we were Young children, I let her believe whatever she wants to believe is true. Whatever the case, it feels good to hear from her. Before getting into my groove i wanted to give a salute to my west coast running friends. Jake Steel and Niki Woods Steel Christine and Darron Epperson, my modern day heroes Dawn Hitchcock and Ben Covington and Barbara Fenn Jamison, Donna Christine Suzi Tartella, Daisy Clark, Yvonne Gutierrez and others. And I would like to mention that Dawn is an “ultra marathoner”. This means she has ran 50 mile races and yes, 100 mile races too. Yes, without stopping and yes, in one day. Thanks Brian Kennedy, Steve Dudrow, Marline Hall, Uncle Larry Graham, Linda Corinaldo, Rod Scott, cousin Mike Carter, Dr. Monique Langston and so many others Thank you to Pedro Voluntariado Para Nicaragua and Leticia Rojas It is for them I ran this maratón. It is for Nicaragua I ran this maratón. It is for the United States who i knew would support me for running for Nicaragua, it is for my friends in Managua and in other places in Nicaragua, It is for my friends in Costa Rica who are a constant source of support for me in most things I do. It is true that had I never lived in Costa Rica, I would not be in Nicaragua. It is true that a day does not go b that I do not think about my friends in Costa Rica. I ran this race because I wanted to. But I also ran to raise funds for AtravesNicaragua. AtravesNicaragua is located in a community entrenched in extreme poverty. Yet, I cannot say that I have been more kind, lovely, compassionate and caring people anywhere on this planet. Much of Nicaragua is like this. One of the best decisións I have made in my life is to live in Central America and in Nicaragua. I love the country and its people. I will continue to solicit funds for this maratón. These funds are and will save lives. And for the people who took the time to donate ANY money—whether it was one dollar or ond hundred dollars, I honor and appreciate you. I honor and appreciate nurse practioners Elaine and Pam who took the time and the hours to drive to meet with me last week, simply to encourage me in my job and offer help that will be needed. And for the to support me in the manner they supported me after only knowing them for hours, I hope I somehow continue to earn their kindness and respect that they seem to give so easily. To the Foundation for Social Responsibility, Bonnie and Martin and international studies student Stanley Chukwu, who I asked for help and they responded with “how much and how high do you want us to go?” Thanks to my military family. My status as Army and Navy veteran continues to open doors for me. I am they, they are me. We are each other. Enough said. Mommy and Daddy, thanks again. Thanks for everything. I look forward to sharing some photos. I look forward to encouraging others to get a maratón under their belt. I look forward to being in touch. With much love, Kevin.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 23:34:26 +0000
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