General Discussion Triathlon Talk » My friend Al died last night... Rss Feed  
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2006-11-01 9:35 AM

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Subject: My friend Al died last night...

... he was only 52. I met him six years ago, he was dying at the time and knew it.

After I dropped a ton a weight and started running, I started thinking about marathons. Like many of us, I received a junk mailing from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. Because my Dad had died of leukemia recently, I went to the meeting and did my first marathon with them,as well as many more. It was through TNT that I met Al.

Back then, in 2000, Al was in remission from his blood cancer, had started running and recently completed the R'n'R Marathon with TNT. His experience alone was a huge motivator, but his attitude toward life and running was what influenced those around him more than anything. Throughout his ordeal, you NEVER heard a single word of complaint from Al. He was always the most cheerful, positively optimistic person around. In a sport where we tend to focus on the aches and pains and hardships, tend to use them as excuses, Al never voiced a negative thought, never had anything but encouraging words for everyone, while dismissing his hardships with barely a shrug.

All of us have an 'Al' story, since he inspired so many of us. Mine probably won't mean much to anyone but an endurance athlete, but allow me to share it here.

In 2003, Al signed up, along with a fairly large local group, for the Marine Corps Marathon, which would be his fourth. Once we were well into our training, Al had a relapse, with the accompanying weakness and inevitable round of chemotherapy. He made it through all that, and got his doctor's OK to run the marathon. That year's version was brutally hot, I finished in 4:26, well off my PR, but remember passing hundreds of walkers on the 14th Street Bridge who just couldn't run up there in the heat. Al struggled through it but ran most of the way and just sneaked in under five hours.

Two weeks later, I headed for the Baton Rouge Beach Half Marathon. All the way up there I was thinking about how I was doing too much, that I needed to recover rather than race again, that I really didn't want to do this. We got there and walked up to the packet pickup, and the first person we see is Al, warming up. Trying and failing to hide my astonishment, that he had gone through all that he had, then run a marathon and come back for more, I asked, "Al, what are you doing here?" He answered in his usually cheery  fashion, "Where else do I have to go?"

Yeah, it's not that great a story, but sure inspired the heck out of me. Anyway, Al lived for running, triathlons as well. Our biggest local running event is this weekend, The Cajun Cup 10K, I've heard that Al was even registered for the race. We're planning a pre-race commemeration, TNT singlets with black armbands, might even try to get the RD to dedicate the race to Al. Probably the least we can do to remember the runner who touched so many lives.



2006-11-01 9:38 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
i am so sorry, but that's a great memory to have of Al. i'm sure he'd like to be remembered that way.
2006-11-01 9:38 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
sorry you lost your friend last night.  it sounds like he had a great outlook on life.  im sure all who knew him will remember him at every single race they do.
2006-11-01 9:39 AM
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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...

Oh John, I'm so sorry. Was it the blood cancer again?

Let me know if there is anything I can do. I'd like to hear more about Al this weekend if you don't mind to share.

2006-11-01 9:41 AM
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Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC
Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
I'm sorry for your loss, John.
2006-11-01 9:42 AM
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Buttercup
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...

John, I'm very sorry about Al's death.



2006-11-01 9:44 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...

Sorry to hear of your loss.  It sounds like he enriched your life.  You were lucky to have known him.

 

~Mike



Edited by Rogillio 2006-11-01 9:48 AM
2006-11-01 9:45 AM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...

Sorry for your loss Bear.  He fulfilled his heroic journey here.  You and those who knew him should be proud.

 

2006-11-01 9:46 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...

Thanks for sharing Al's story, John.

Mark

2006-11-01 9:53 AM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
Sorry for your loss. Your story is very inspiring.
2006-11-01 9:54 AM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
I'm so sorry....and that was a great story.


2006-11-01 9:57 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
May he Rest in Peace. 
2006-11-01 9:57 AM
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2006-11-01 10:02 AM
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Tulsa, Oklahoma
Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
John ~ nice words and nice tribute for someone who obviously was a great person, friend and inspiration. Thank you for sharing. Just two days ago I ran into a friend that I had not seen in awhile. She is 46, personal trainer, very fit and active, she told me how she had just been diagnosed with chronic leukemia. That day she was going to visit with the doctor and then go teach an aerobics and spin class. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since.
2006-11-01 10:04 AM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
The greatest honor you could give is to remember and pass on the inspiration and knowledge that was passed to you. I'm so sorry for your loss bear.
2006-11-01 10:06 AM
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2006-11-01 10:07 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
John, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. He was racing for a great cause and should be honored for it. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
2006-11-01 10:08 AM
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Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...

Condolences, and thanks for sharing.

 

2006-11-01 10:10 AM
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Littleton, Colorado
Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
My deepest sympathies.  I hope Al's friends and family can take some small comfort in knowing his life and example has and will continue to inspire so many others.
2006-11-01 10:18 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I found your story inspiring because it sounds like Al was a good man trying his very best to live a good life under very diificult circumstances.
2006-11-01 10:20 AM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
I'm sorry Bear.  Great tribute and sounds like a heroic individual. 


2006-11-01 10:46 AM
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Elite
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Thanks for sharing his story. I'm sure that Al will be with you all at the race this weekend.
2006-11-01 10:49 AM
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Expert
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Clio, MIchigan
Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
God Speed.
2006-11-01 11:10 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
So sorry, bear. My condolences.

scott
2006-11-01 11:17 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: My friend Al died last night...
Bear, I'm so sorry about Al.  I remember briefly meeting him before the half-mary in February.  Angel told me about his story and I remember thinking he was nuts to out in that cold weather, since he was so sick.  Your story shows me why he was out there.  Run your heart out this weekend for him!
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » My friend Al died last night... Rss Feed  
 
 
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