A few of my brother’s favorite things…
his son, Tyler, the Redskins, Nascar and Dale Earnheart Jr. My brother, Scott was a loyal friend, a loving father and a simple, good hearted guy. He is missed by many and our lives will never be the same without him. I will keep happy memories of Scott in my heart as I continue to run in his honor.

*****

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 and the Father’s Day 5K in his memory. 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.

My brother wasn’t the type to run races – But he sure loved watching a Nascar race! If he could see me training and running he’d laugh at me and crack some joke. But still, running in Scott’s memory feels like the perfect opportunity to honor both his life and mine, while raising money for great causes like The Active Survivors Network and the GBMC Foundation.

The first time I ran in memory of someone I lost it was The Father’s Day 5K in 2001. I ran in honor of my Dad who died at the young age of 50. It was a very uplifting experience. This year, I asked my 14 year old nephew, Tyler, (Scott’s son) to run the Father’s Day 5K with me. Although Tyler had never run a race before, he jumped in with enthusiasm and made me so proud with his positive attitude. After the race Tyler asked me if there are other races he can run (the tell tale sign of that happy, healthy runners high). My mom, step dad and husband participated in the race as well, and I have a feeling it will be a new family tradition for us! I know my brother would be so proud to see his son come across that finish line.

The Survivor Harbor 7 race offered a new “Run for Another” category this year so it was a great opportunity to put a team together and run in my brother’s memory. This race through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and benefiting Active Survivors Network is one of my favorites! Several fellow yogi runner friends were quick to join my team and run with me in honor of my brother. Despite the miserably hot and humid race day challenge, TEAM FLEXIBLE WARRIOR had a fun race day (and one of our team members, Mike McConnell, even finished 3rd in his age category!) Way to go Mike!

My goal is typically not speed – I’ve accepted I’m a slow runner and I just like to get out there and be part of the excitement, group energy, and good causes. But I’ll admit I was really bummed that I had to walk a good part of the SH7 race this year. Having to walk just stinks. But I was unprepared for the unseasonable extreme high heat and at mile five I hit the wall, walked at a water station and had a very hard time picking up my feet again after that. Yet, I still remembered my brother with a smile every step of the way. He was a Marine and was always way tougher than me!

Thank you to my TEAM FLEXIBLE WARRIOR FRIENDS: Gaby Fishpaw, Mike McConnell, Christine Miki, Todd Deese, Darcy Jiampetti, Sally Bryne, Lisa Pachino, Jill Ginsburg, Wendy Moskowitz, Jim Kolmansberger, Kathi Shae, Merrily Ure, Heather Thamer, and my family – Jon Dubs, Patricia Ebert, John Luckenbaugh, and the Walter clan - Donna, Keith, Jesse & Wyatt Walter and Erin & Jake Kendrick.

“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