Today, at 9am across the country, people are gathering to run in honor of Sherry. Approximately a month ago, Sherry left her house for an early morning run and never returned. This beloved wife, mother, and teacher was abducted and murdered not far from her home in Montana.
I didn’t know Sherry. I don’t run in a rural area. I never run early in the morning. But the story has touched the hearts of millions. Because it’s sad to lose one of our own. And because it could happen to any one of us who runs alone. I’m sure that every single one of us can think of a time when we realized we’ve been in a sketchy situation, whether it was because of where we were running or when we were running or just a random set of circumstances that put us in a bad place.
I ran my virtual run for Sherry yesterday. I planned to go out and just think about Sherry and the fact that I was still able to get out there and run. I ended up angry about the fact that we as runners have to even think about when and where we run. I was pissed that the world lost a valuable person because someone evil came along. I was sad to think of children without a mother.
I ended up running faster than I have in a very long time. I pounded all of that anger into the pavement. I thank God that I was still able to run. That I was running with my dad. That I could make my body hurt in that good way.
I’m still sad. But I hope Sherry’s family can find some peace.
If you’d like to donate to help Sherry’s family or just find out more about the virtual run, head on over to Shut Up and Run.
I’m not running today, but I’ll be swimming with Sherry in my thoughts. So incredibly tragic.
I couldn’t run due to a stress fracture but I did get on the recumbent bike for 9 miles in her honor. Sherry’s family is in my thought and prayers and I hope they find peace someday.
Ran 12.28 for Sherry today!
We ran for Sherry yesterday too. I actually saw two other large groups running with bibs on as well – the show of support was amazing.
Thanks for running for her – here in Montana there has been so much sadness about this tragedy. Not sure we’ll know exactly what happened to her. I know people who have been taught by her and her husband, and since I am in the education community, we were all praying for her. This has turned our lives upside down in many ways.
It’s amazing that something so bad has brought so much good. It will never make up for the loss, but this has been pretty amazing to witness.
I love how good it feels to pound out anger with a hard run, it definitely doesn’t take all the sadness away, but it’s a great start.