I can’t think of a better way to honor and remember my brother, Scott Ebert (known as “Screamin Ebe” by all his friends) than by running the Survivor Harbor 7 in his honor. Scott was killed in a car accident on January 15th, 2008 at the young age of 43 and our lives have not been the same since that day. The SH7 race gives me and my family an opportunity to run in his memory and raise money for a great cause, Fitness for Survivors.
My brother wasn’t the type to run races (he’d much rather watch a Nascar race!) Often when I’m struggling through a training run I think of Scott and giggle to myself knowing that he’d laugh at me and crack some joke. He’d sip his Budweiser and say something like, “Really now, don’t hurt yourself on my account.” But still, running in Scott’s memory feels like the perfect opportunity to honor his life, strengthen mine, and raise money for a great cause - The Active Survivors Network and Fitness for Survivors.
My first race was in June 2001, the GBMC Father’s Day 5K when I ran in honor of my Dad who died at the age of 50. Running in my dads honor was a very uplifting experience for me, so after my brother died I asked nephew Tyler, (Scott’s son) to run the race with me, in memory of both our Dad’s. Tyler jumped in with enthusiasm and made me so proud with his positive attitude. Seconds after the finish line, Tyler asked about other races we could register for (the tell tale sign of that happy, healthy runners high). And with that, we had a new family tradition. My mom, step dad and husband participated as well and it was a great, inspiring family day.
The SH7 race offers a unique “Run for Another” category so I put together a “Screamin Ebe” team to run in my brother’s memory. This race through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and benefiting Fitness for Survivors is my favorite “good cause” race! Several fellow “Flexible Warrior” yogi runners happily joined my team and together we trained and raised money for the “Fitness for Survivors” program. Despite several injuries and set backs, the FLEXIBLE WARRIORS and Screamin EBE team had a great race day! Its about being part of the race day excitement, group energy, and supporting good causes.
I’ve run lots of races over the years and ironically this SH7 race has presented many challenges for me two years in a row! The yogi in me can’t help but wonder what the lesson is behind all these obstacles!
The first year I ran the SH7 (June 2008) it was about 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity. As usual, I had under-trained, but when race day arrives I always feel great despite my light training. Plus, I’m always spared having over use injuries. And since my goal is never speed (it’s usually the lofty goal of not walking!) I feel like my “less is more” training technique is effective for me (let’s face it I’m not winning any race awards… Unless they start giving out prizes to the runner who thanks the most volunteers along the course or who runs with the best posture and “highest heart” Then, I might actually win!) But as long as races are based on speed, I will continue with my “less is more – flexible warrior” training, hopefully staying pain free, and touching my toes with no problem.
Being under-trained and unprepared for the unseasonably high heat and humidity of the 2008 race, I hit the wall at mile 5 and did the one thing I didn’t want to do – WALK! I felt dizzy, crampy, and even a little nauseous! I’ll admit I was so bummed that I needed to walk. But, remembering my intention to honor my brother I kept my heart high and smiled every step of the way. Scott was a Marine and was always way tougher and more resilient than me!
After walking in my squishy, sweaty sneakers for at least a ½ mile I gathered my energy and managed to come across the finish with a big enough smile to catch the attention of a local TV station cameraman who asked me “why I ran this race”... and I beamed and said “in honor of my brother”. Seeing my sweaty, exhausted yet energized face on the news later that night, I knew I’d run the SH7 again the next year and was hopeful I could get my family to join me.
Two weeks before the 2009 SH7 race I bruised my heel. I hobbled around and did nothing but yoga and a few spinning classes for 14 days leading up to race day. I decided then, running the 4 miler instead of the 7 was smart. Two days before the race, two of my key team members also got injuries too… My nephew Tyler sprained his ankle and my husband Jon tweaked his low back!
My Screamin Ebe team was falling apart! But since my brother was notorious for being injury prone, this banged up team seemed right in a weird way. Despite endless injuries, Scott never complained about pain. I’m not sure if he was so tough because of his Marine boot camp days, or he was just born that way. Me, I’m a whiner and a wimp – Always have been.
When race day arrived, I was once again under trained, but my heel bruise had healed enough that I knew I could run on it. So I pinned on my race number and my “Screamin Ebe” Run for Another bib and off I went. I didn’t even bother to wear a timing chip!
Surrounded by my friends, family and hundreds of other runners I felt energized and excited. I ran alone, in my own zone, but I felt the collective positive energy of the group. As I the ran through the cobblestone streets of Baltimore and around the Inner Harbor I felt exhilarated and alive. I felt no pain in my heel (well...not until after the race).
Around mile 3 I passed another runner who said “This is getting tough for me!” and I said “I know – Me too…One foot in front of the other!” For some, running 4 miles is an
easy day, for others it’s a serious challenge. There is symbolism in racing...Like in life, we are all on similar yet very different journeys.
A few minutes later I heard my husband and nephew screaming in the crowd for me as I came through the home stretch. I joined them and cheered through the rest of my team, including giving my mom a High 5 – Way to go Grammy! I think it's cool and inspiring that my mom, at 67, gets out there and participates. She's the one who got me started in the fitness industry 25+ years ago and I'm thankful to get to share this race day experience with her.
Despite our set backs, Team “Screamin Ebe" showed up and participated. And even sidelined with a sprained ankle, Tyler was asking about next races. I guess the runner’s high is contagious and can be felt by osmosis :) .
Thank you to my 2008 & 2009 TEAM FLEXIBLE WARRIOR FRIENDS: Gaby Fishpaw, Elizabeth Jackson, Isabel Currey, Jamie Pistorio, Mike McConnell, Christine Miki, Todd Deese, Sally Bryne, Lisa & Michael Pachino, Jill Ginsburg, Wendy Moskowitz, Heather Thamer, and Nik Wertz.
Special thanks to my family for enthusiastically supporting my idea of a “fun” day – My husband Jon (the best race day chauffeur, water boy, photographer and cheerleader ever) my nephew Tyler (I know getting up at 5am is not a 15 year old boys idea of fun but you’re always a trouper, just like your Dad), my mom and step dad (who went the distance, enjoyed the journey and didn’t come in last!), and my sister Donna and the entire Walter clan Keith, Jesse & Wyatt and Erin & Jake Kendrick (who were there with us in spirit).
Special thanks to Jay McCutcheon and SH7 for giving me and my family and friends the opportunity to Run for Another!
Read more about Active Survivors Network and
Run for Another at www.activesurvivor.org
“Whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its shame, drudgery, and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
– Max Ehrmann
