Meet 30 year old Chris Bernier from Waterbury Center, VT …. his story says it all.
I run to be part of something bigger. I have enjoyed running since I was 12 and have run in a variety of races. In some of the races I have done quite well while others I ended up in the medical tent. No matter the outcome, I still find a sense of personal growth and accomplishment.
Chris & his Dad at the Outer Banks Marathon
While I was thinking about Why I Run, I continued to revisit one of my fondest running memories. The ironic part of this story is that I actually didn’t run on this day. My Dad became a serious runner in his early 40’s when our neighbor invited him to run in a “casual” race. The race turned out to be an eight mile, mountain road run. For many this would’ve been a one-and-done event. For my Dad, he was hooked.
In 2008, I had a work trip scheduled to the Outer Banks to work a marathon. I had some lead time and asked my Dad if he was interested in joining me for the road trip from Vermont to North Carolina. He, without hesitation, said absolutely and then told me that he wanted to run the race. It was on his bucket list and a November race worked well for him. This would be our first father-son road trip. Yeehaw!
When November came, we jumped into my work van and headed to the Outer Banks. This is a place that neither of us had been which made the experience that much better. We both worked the marathon expo for the company that I was working for at the time and my Dad got to mingle with the other marathoners. Watching this interaction, I could see his sense of belonging and feeling of being a part of something greater.
I followed my Dad in my work van for the entire race. I made frequent stops to take photos and check in with him. Each time I asked, “how are you doing?” he simply smiled ear to ear and said, “great.” When I watched my Dad, in his mid-fifties, cross the finish line of his first marathon, checking off another one from his bucket list, my eyes welled up with tears. The emotion that came over me was uncontrollable. I cheered, clapped and screamed like I have never before. My Dad had just finished his first marathon.
I run because that of “that” feeling. That feeling that we are all the same when we are running. That feeling because each person running has their own story like mine with my Dad. That feeling when your eyes well up and you can’t control it. When you do something that you didn’t think that you could or, in this case, witness someone have that experience.
If you see me tearing up after the upcoming marathon, which will be my fifth, a simple nod will let me know that you understand “that” feeling.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Nodding at ya, Chris!
Well, I can hardly see to write this–talk about welling up with tears. You are an amazing man, and I have such admiration for you and your Dad. Excellent genes!!! I will walk faster and faster to eventually pretend I could actually run a marathon too. Do you think anyone starts at 64?
This is great Chris! Looking forward to the race!
Chris, loved your article ~ I was a little “welled up ” myself. See you guys at the half, and I’ll certainly be chasing and cheering you on. Love ya!
I ran the marathon because it was on my bucket list, but reading this article makes me appreciate how blessed I really am. As I ran, I worried about all those miles and if I could really do this. I listened to my music, and my mind wandered to thoughts of people who have touched my life, some are still with us and some have gone to a better place. Many times in that 5+ hour run I welled up myself, however seeing Chris at various points along the race kept me focused. He cheered me on, checked on how I felt, and told me how my pace looked strong. Somehow, with his encouragement, I found the inner strength to keep going. As I read this article, I know now why I did what I did. What an honor to read how the small things in life have such a big impact. Chris, you make me proud, not only to be a runner with “that” feeling, but also to have such a great son.