Running with a Purpose

by Mike Scopa
Team AllEars Co-Captain

So I’ve had a week or two to reflect on the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and specifically my fourth Walt Disney World Half-Marathon.

Over that weekend there were so many stories”¦so many smiles”¦so many memories that it would be virtually impossible to recall every one and do them all justice. I also fear I would forget a few.

When I think about that weekend I think about a secret I held for the last two years.

It all started two years ago while running in the 2008 WDW Half-Marathon. Right about mile 8 I felt a severe pain in my left knee. The pain was so severe that I ended up walking”¦or I should say, limping to the Finish.

The rest of that weekend saw me in pain and on the flight home and for the first few days back home.

I went to see my Orthopedic Surgeon who recommended the dreaded MRI”¦not my favorite thing to do.

The results of the MRI had my doctor telling me things I did not want to hear.

First there was the talk about bone spurs and other things which were a result of my destroying my anterior cruciate ligament some thirty years ago”¦all that brought my doctor to say to me, “Mike you need a knee replacement.”

This announcement was certainly no music to my ears.

“Okay!” I said, “So how long after the operation can I resume all my activities?”

Then came the other news.

He said there would no longer be any running or jumping because it would eventually wear out my “new knee.”

Was I done?

The pain in my knee was making a case for me to hang it up…it was speaking loud and clear”¦except my heart was speaking louder to me.

I could not bring myself to tell anyone of what my doctor had said. I kept it to myself. I was not supposed to run anymore”¦but I was not about to tell the world or myself I was done.

I was not done.

So I waited until the pain subsided and started to train again. It was not easy”¦it was a long and slow journey back”¦.figuring out how much and how fast I could run without causing further damage to the knee.

The first half of 2008 was spent resting the knee and the second half began the long journey back.

In January 2009 I registered for the 2010 Half-Marathon and crossed my fingers.

Every other day or so I would go out and run”¦.not too fast”¦.not too far. Every outing would see me extend my running time”¦.eventually building up to running for two straight hours. I did not want to risk any more.

If I was going to do any further damage it would be at the Half-Marathon. I had fears that race would be my last race.

So I waited”¦and then came that Saturday morning. Those of you who were there will not soon forget how cold, windy, and raw it was as we made our way to Epcot in the wee hours of the morning.

Nor will we ever forget seeing the sleet as we made our way toward the corrals with two, three, or even four layers of running gear on to keep the muscles warm.

It’s very difficult to describe what goes through one’s mind when running any WDW race”¦from the 5K races to the Full Marathon. It’s surreal; it’s emotional; and it’s something you really never feel fully prepared for”¦even if you have done it several times.

For me the focus was an area near the Grand Floridian”¦the spot where two years earlier I had said, “No Mas!” and limped the rest of the way.

This year when I got to that mark I focused on my knee and”¦no pain”¦none in fact.

I saw my AllEars Running Team Co-Captain Michelle Scribner-MacLean at the finish line and we had our celebratory hug.

She asked why I had tears in my eyes and I told her my secret”¦how my doctor had said no more running and all that jazz”¦and that although this was my fourth Half it felt like my first.

I had bettered my 2008 time by 18 minutes.

I’m sure there were many stories”¦so many personal stories like mine which deserve to be told”¦to hopefully help others look towards facing a challenge.

So in the month of January usually celebrated as a time for a new beginning and a new year I would instead like to treat it as November and its holiday of Thanksgiving and hand out a few “Thank Yous.”

And here they are”¦

“¦to Dr. Lynn for giving a stubborn Mike all the reasons in the world to hang up the running shoes”¦it worked. I’m obviously not a good patient.

Thanks Doc.

“¦to the American Adventure’s Golden Dream film at the end of the attraction where I see Dick Hoyt pushing his disabled son Rick in a wheelchair 26 miles in the Boston Marathon”¦an incredible feat he has done for so many years”¦and an inspiration to me.

Thanks Dick.

“¦to Jonathan Dichter, who along with my good friend Bryan Ripper, co-hosts the AllAboutTheMouse podcast, I also give thanks. Jonathon has always said nice things about how I have inspired him to take up running and in turn he has inspired me to challenge myself as he has challenged himself. Jonathan went on to do several half-marathons last year”¦.I love you buddy.

Thanks Voice.

“¦to Mary Jo Collins, who has emerged as probably the greatest ambassador for running today as she is just everywhere, running all kinds of races and having a blast”¦.congrats on doing the 2010 Goofy challenge. Your smile and attitude and joy of running kept me going last year. When I grow up I want to be just like you.

Thanks Mary Jo.

“¦to all the incredible AllEars team members who came together as friends and family to fight for a cause that affects us all”¦.you all are wonderful”¦and I see all of you as part of my family. You all worked together to raise at least $24,000 in the fight against breast cancer while at the same time proving something to yourselves.

Thank you for all your effort and your friendship.

“¦to my dear friend Deb Wills, the first lady of the Disney internet and who, more than anyone I know, inspires people to do amazing things, and went out and did her first Half-Marathon this past January. This woman’s boundless heart and incredible spirit and generosity continue to amaze and thrill me every day. I drew positive energy from this woman. I am always proud to call her my friend.

Thanks Deb.

“¦and speaking of friends, my last thank you goes out to my New Hampshire neighbor, Team AllEars Co-Captain, and running buddy Michelle Scribner-MacLean who ran in her first ever race, the 2009 WDW Half-Marathon to raise money for her mother’s Scholarship fund for nurses, and whose idea to put together an All Ears Running Team for the 2010 WDW Marathon Weekend did so much to put me over the top with my training. I could not have done it without you Michelle.

Thanks Scribby.

So if you put all of this together with the backdrop of a dark, cold, windy, and sleet-filled morning in Orlando in January, you can see how it’s hard to describe the feeling, the excitement, the emotion, and the exuberance of that weekend.

For me I feel I can say it all in two words”¦

“¦thank you!

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