As runners gear up for the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday, many are inevitably finishing up training regimens, carbo-loading and considering last minute suggestions. Some have things in mind beyond the race itself.
Take David Adame, director of C Different Foundation, which helps pair vision-impaired athletes with guides to help them complete the course. The organization has four runners scheduled to take on the Aramco Half Marathon on Sunday, and four set to tackle all 26.2 miles — including his 29-year-old son, Brandon, who began running as a hobby during his time at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
For others, it's a family tradition. Mitzie Caulfield renewed her interest in running when her daughter, Carly, began working for the Houston Marathon Committee 13 years ago. Caulfield likened signing up for a marathon to cheering for one of her other children from the bleachers at a volleyball game.
Because, in the end, some things are more important — and more lasting — than a grueling race to the finish.
Now Carly is the director of operations for the event, and her mother has seven marathon medals and four half marathon medals — plus several triathlon medals and an Ironman accolade — on the family's ironically-named "Wall of Shame."
A recent injury may prevent Caulfield from participating in the 2013 marathon, but that won't keep her away from the race: She'll be volunteering all week (her husband, Keith, manages the official race timers) and will be watching two of her daughters from the sidelines. Bonnie, in town from Dallas, will compete in the half alongside Betsy, a sophomore at Arizona Christian University who shares her mother's smile and determination (this half marathon will be her sixth).
Similarly, Larry DeSpain does it for the kids. He ranked the No. 1 fundraiser in the marathon's Run for a Reason program, with all of his funds benefiting the Snowdrop Foundation, a local organization that funds research to eliminate childhood cancer. DeSpain will donate his finisher medal to a pediatric patient at Texas Children's Cancer Hospital as a part of his "Bling for Bravery" initiative.
Because, in the end, some things are more important — and more lasting — than a grueling race to the finish.
