Max 5's
So when it comes down to the heart and soul of why I put on these races, it’s for the people. All of you, our running community. The stories. It was an honor to have the family of Rusty Smith come out to the race this weekend. So many of y’all wrote down those Max 5’s… those five things you are thankful for. It was truly a blessing to see all the love and support. Our community time and time again blows me away and I love it.
On Nov 26th one of our runners, Rusty Smith, his oldest daughter went into labor full term with her first child and his first grandchild. She had a wonderful, perfect, and healthy pregnancy with no issues. Labor started out fine and normal but as little man was entering the world, there was an unfortunate incident with the cord, and little Max went to be with the Lord. It was absolutely devastating for the family.
Rusty and his family had to lean hard on their Faith and that’s the only thing that has gotten them through.
Back in July, Rusty had signed up for the Long Haul 100, his first 100 miler… and when this happened, he wasn’t sure how to proceed. The race directors Amy and Andy Matthews were wonderful through the whole thing and worked with him on whatever decision he made.
2 weeks before the race… Rusty decided to do it, but not for himself, for Max.
He got that finish.
It was an amazing experience for Rusty. The finish was so emotional. His daughter, son in law, wife and younger daughter met him and ran the final spur with him.
He was overwhelmed with gratitude on accomplishing 100 miles… but his finish at the Long Haul wasn’t about himself. This is about Max and his memory. This was something that changed his families lives forever and brought them closer to the Lord.
From the day that happened Rusty, the family, his daughter & husband have been doing Max’s 5 daily. The Max 5's are five things you thankful for. It could be as simple as waking up, or even getting a discount at the store. Bottom line is, like friends... family... our running community; we are all in this together.
Think of 5 things you are thankful for each day.
Everything in life is a blessing. Blessing, it's a word that is often misunderstood by many of us, a word that most of us tend to seek throughout our lives without even realizing that each and every moment that we have lived, and are living, is full of countless blessings. These blessings in our life are the things we are thankful for.
Count your blessings. Be thankful.
Rusty and his family had to lean hard on their Faith and that’s the only thing that has gotten them through.
Back in July, Rusty had signed up for the Long Haul 100, his first 100 miler… and when this happened, he wasn’t sure how to proceed. The race directors Amy and Andy Matthews were wonderful through the whole thing and worked with him on whatever decision he made.
2 weeks before the race… Rusty decided to do it, but not for himself, for Max.
He got that finish.
It was an amazing experience for Rusty. The finish was so emotional. His daughter, son in law, wife and younger daughter met him and ran the final spur with him.
He was overwhelmed with gratitude on accomplishing 100 miles… but his finish at the Long Haul wasn’t about himself. This is about Max and his memory. This was something that changed his families lives forever and brought them closer to the Lord.
From the day that happened Rusty, the family, his daughter & husband have been doing Max’s 5 daily. The Max 5's are five things you thankful for. It could be as simple as waking up, or even getting a discount at the store. Bottom line is, like friends... family... our running community; we are all in this together.
Think of 5 things you are thankful for each day.
Everything in life is a blessing. Blessing, it's a word that is often misunderstood by many of us, a word that most of us tend to seek throughout our lives without even realizing that each and every moment that we have lived, and are living, is full of countless blessings. These blessings in our life are the things we are thankful for.
Count your blessings. Be thankful.