Over the years running has had several different meanings for me. At first, I absolutely hated running but it was a means to an end because I was required to run a mile and a half to enter the first police academy I attended. Once in the academy running became a form of punishment as in, if we made a mistake, we had to run a certain distance or time, sometimes in our workout gear and sometimes in our full uniform with the police belt. After the academy running became something I began to look forward to daily after work. It became a way for me to meditate by running through my neighborhood and nearby trails. I loved the feeling of just being outdoors, seeing different scenery, and letting my mind wander about everything and anything, all while the simple motion of left, right, left, right allowed me to explore my city on foot. After a few more years, running became a way to challenge myself by entering races, sometimes a 5k to see how fast I could go and sometimes to enter longer distances to see how far I could push myself to go, which lead to my first marathons, and then ultramarathons. While doing these races I fell in love with the running community, the volunteers at the aid stations, fellow runners, and then I began to convince my friends and family to run with me and do some races with me. Running morphed into a way for me to share my love of it with others. I felt incredibly fortunate I was able to be with friends as the completed their first 5k, half marathon, marathon, and in a couple of cases, their first ultramarathon. I’ve crossed a finish line several times but there was no feeling like being able to see my friends cross the finish line and accomplish their goals.

     I’ve been able to continue my personal challenges to myself on runs across Texas or covering every street in cities but ultimately it became a way for me to give back. I recently have been able to give back to charities that have meaning to myself and my family by running for them on these longer runs across Texas. It has been amazing to me to see the support of my city I was born and raised in, supporting a guy just running a long distance, by supporting these charities and following along the adventure. I have been extremely lucky with the support of the community to follow a guy running and help local charities out.

     I don’t know what the future holds but I know I will never be short on ideas. One day I will cross my final finish line, but until then, I am going to keep on doing what I love. Running is my meditation, it is my peace, it has created lasting friendships, it has been a way for me to challenge myself, it has been a means for me to explore different areas and scenery on foot, and it has become a way to connect with my community.

- Ben