Is this really happening?

Two days ago, I recieved an email from a woman who works at the Alzheimer's Association, wanting to use the video that we made for The Longest Day in some promotional material for the 2013 event.  

A few minutes later, I recieved this cryptic email: 

 

"I just had a crazy and fun request for our meeting in Dallas next week that involves you! Do you have a minute to talk today?"

 

Err.. ok. 

 

I called.  She pitched me her idea.  I pooped myself.

 

Rachel and I are being flown to Dallas next week to speak at a schmancy dinner during the annual Alzheimer's Association Leadership Summit about our experience during The Longest Day.  In front of 750 people. 

 

If you'll kindly click to my "Fear Can Suck It" list, you might notice #11.  My tremendous fear of public speaking.  If I make it through our speech and don't die, I'm crossing that MF'er off.

 

Not to get overly sentimental here, but I'm just struck by what this little crazy idea has snowballed into.  When we first decided to run 16 hours on a track, we did it because, hey, it'd be a funny story right?  No, we're not trained for an ultra, yes, we'll be going round and round on a track all day, and hey, it's going to be 100 degrees.  Funny.

 

Then when the day came, it was just incredible.  Some of the feelings I had that day were truly indescribable, but they're feelings I'll remember forever.  As people joined us on the track, we were exhausted, but exhilarated, and thoroughly humbled by the support and the sacrifice that our friends, family, and total strangers showed us. 

 

And then as the day wore on and we thought about the victims of Alzheimer's, and the people that are suddenly forced to care for their parent, for their husband or wife, a person who is slowly and cruelly losing their mind... it was one of those rare moments in life where we truly felt part of something bigger than ourselves.

 

To all of our blogger buddies who entered our raffle last year, thank you.  Because of you, a ton of money was raised for the Alzheimer's Association.  Because of you, I'm going to be shaking and sweating my ass off on a stage next week trying not to vomit.

 

I'll leave you with another video, this one a little outtake from the day.  Because I know you've had enough of my inspirational drivel, here is a little peek into how we felt after running 35+ miles, and realizing our final lap would put us a minute or two longer than 16 hours. 

 

 

We have big plans for 2013... stay tuned.