About a month ago I ran the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago on a cold morning in March. The 8K (4.97 miles) starts and ends in Grant Park. But I awoke to a 5:30 a.m. call I anticipated any day. It was my friend’s husband calling to say my friend’s dad, Don Salisbury, had just passed away. I met my friend Rachel as a freshman in high school when neither one of us really knew anyone else and I was quickly welcomed by her family who had to moved to the area for Don to take a pastor position at a local church.
Upon returning from a tour overseas in Iraq, Don learned he had a late stage of prostate cancer. He was given many timeframes for the rest of his life – he made it three years until he had become very ill in the last few weeks before his death.
This blog started because of cancer. So I thought it was only appropriate to keep sharing stories of this evil disease. But I know Don was cheering me on. I ran my quickest average mile time that day. Don was a runner. He ran a 1/2 marathon in Iraq they had put together for soldiers. I just kept thinking I can’t slow down, Don can’t run ever again.
Here are my splits – he was obviously pushing me along:
Mile 1: 9:34
Mile 2: 9:30
Mile 3: 9:25
Mile 4: 9:13
Mile 5: 9:03
Total: 46:45
Attached are some other pics from that day. Waiting for the race to begin, my shirt and goodies and the celebratory beer I was finishing at the hotel after the walk back. I met with some old coworkers that day as well. It was a day of high and low points.
Posted by Trish Taylor 
