In August, I had the opportunity to run my first race and earn my angel wings as an Ainsley’s Angel Runner. This was one of my favorite races of 2018. It was where two of my passions would collide. My background is in special education and my love of running together at last.
I participated in the Howell Melon Run in Howell, Michigan with a foursome: Russ, Andrew, Alex and me. It was a hot summer evening around 80’s. I arrived early to meet my team members and get warmed up. I also had the opportunity to meet Alex’s fan club, his dedicated parents.
Ainsley’s Angels is a non profit organization whose mission is to build awareness about “America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life.” P.J. Sapienza heads up Ainsley’s Angels in our area.
Each team has a chariot runner that is pushed through the race. We started with Andrew as the pusher and alternated throughout the race. The race starts with a fast down hill where our team easily took the lead. The crowd was cheering loudly as we ran through the streets of Howell.
Next we sped through the cemetery onto gravel paths where Russ became the Angel runner. Prior to the race, Alex’s parents let us know that he doesn’t prefer bumpy. So when we neared the gravel trail, I prepared Alex with a warning that it was going to get bumpy. After this section came an area where we ran through a sprinkler, I also gave warning to Alex he was about to get wet.
I took the last leg (what was I thinking). With my height disadvantage pushing the chariot was a bit difficult for me to control. I remember flying down the hill and my team reminding me I had a brake. At the turns and hills, my teammates helped steer and push. It was an exhilarating feeling, pushing the chariot knowing Alex was going to win his race.
When we neared the finish line, it was all up hill. The three of us: Russ, Andrew and me all pushed together as one team getting Alex up the hill and across the finish line in first place. The crowd was celebrating: It was a rewarding experience seeing the pride in Alex’s parents faces and the joy on Alex’s face with his victory finish.
I am looking forward to my next Ainsley’s Angels event at the Big House 5k: Trail of Victors on April 7, 2019.
