Earlier this week I turned 71. This Sunday, I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon 10K for the Organization for Autism Research or OAR. I'm at the age where my knees, back, brain, and especailly my gimpy left hip are yelling, "Noooooo, Mikey, don't do it!" But my heart says, "It's for a great purpose, old boy. You've still got one left in you." I'm not sure about the latter, but I'm in.
No big mystery as to why I'm running. OAR will be 17 years in December. As I have told many people over the years, "I didn't have a personal connection to autism when I started way back when, but after 17 years the many personal connections I have are better described as valued friendships." So, I run in admiration for and honor of these new friends in my later life and the persons with autism in their lives for whom they give so much each day.
To put that in perspective, my wife, Elaine, and I have been blessed that our children and three grandchildren enjoy good health. Any challenges we as a family have faced pale in comparison to those my friends who have children with autism face. So, this run's for them and their families. I will move slowly, I'm sure. In fact, my hip is telling me that I'll do more walking than jogging and may look more like Chester on Gunsmoke (those who remember!) when I finish. But the longer I'm out there on the course, the more time it gives me to think of all my friends, especially those impacted by autism, enjoy the great atmosphere of the race, and for a short while be in and among Marines! Sounds like a great day to me. I'm not too old for one more like that! OOOHRAH! Semper Fidelis
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Robert Segal | 11/06/2018 | $100.00 | The Sack Law Firm P.C. | 11/06/2018 | $500.00 | Charles Fisher | 11/03/2018 | $100.00 | Sherri Alms | 11/01/2018 | $25.00 | Way to go, Mike! I am awed by the work you and your OAR staff do on a daily basis. | Richard Lottie | 10/31/2018 | $250.00 | Terry Savage | 10/28/2018 | $500.00 | See ya soon buddy. | Naina Chernoff | 10/28/2018 | $100.00 | Sorry we didn't donate this earlier! Congrats on a great run! | Pamela Maloney | 10/27/2018 | $100.00 | Go Uncle Mike! You can do it! Arrugahh! | Keith Duhe | 10/27/2018 | $71.00 | Happy belated birthday. Be safe out there. Semper Fi | Scott McKenzie | 10/27/2018 | $100.00 | Don't forget to swing low.... | Cliff Ishigaki | 10/26/2018 | $50.00 | Grateful your body is listening to your mind and heart. Semper Fi!!! | James Magee | 10/26/2018 | $50.00 | Go Mike! | Vin and Sharon Ialenti | 10/26/2018 | $100.00 | Hope you break Chester Goode's record of 10 miles in 6 hours. | Ed Sandrick | 10/26/2018 | $150.00 | All the way, Mike! SF | Richard & Rosemary Wissing | 10/26/2018 | $50.00 | Have a great run/jog/walk | Mark Roithmayr | 10/26/2018 | $100.00 | Stephen McCartney | 10/26/2018 | $100.00 | Win one for the Gimper!! | Artie Kempner | 10/26/2018 | $250.00 | Michael Maloney | 10/25/2018 | $250.00 | Win one for the Gimper! | Lori Lapin Jones | 10/25/2018 | $100.00 | Go Mike Go!! | Edward O’Neil | 10/25/2018 | $100.00 | Joe David Robinson | 10/25/2018 | $200.00 | Semper Fi Mac | Lisa Hussman | 10/25/2018 | $250.00 | Mike - Have a great race! |
| Total | $3,596.00 | ||