A thank you to my fallen 9/11 comrades

I know September 11th, 2001, was a tragic day for many. It was for me too. But I found passion in the pain by escaping for my first trail run on that fateful day. And I never could have predicted where that path would lead.

I was supposed to be in New York in Sept. 11th (read the story here). Two work friends, Danny and Richard, were planning to meet me that morning to talk about a business deal that they thought I could help on. But I messed up those plans by quitting my job, and thus canceling the trip to New York. Danny and Richard weren't so lucky - they were both killed.

As I sat and watched the horror on the TV, learning through e-mail about my fallen friends, I tried to console myself by thinking I didn't really know these guys THAT well. I just knew them from work. But that just seemed to make the 9/11 tragedy all the more senseless. Then the news channels kept telling me "how you should feel", compounding their message with endless repeats and replays from every angle. I couldn't take it any more. I had to get outside.

Outside, the media couldn't find me. Outside, I would be forced to reconcile on my own terms. At first, I ran angry. Then, I ran scared. But after 30 minutes, the rhythm of my steps helped me calm down. Each and every day after that, the trails would help me find my way. Soon my dog, Rocky, joined me and became a closer friend that I ever imagined a pet could. These days the trails are such a part of me, I'm not even sure where I end and where the trail begins.

To Danny and Richard, I thank you, and think of you often. Just thought I would let you know.

- SD