Why I Run the Bellin Run: Jessica Terrien, Denmark

May 23, 2013

My dad was diagnosed with terminal, stage IV cancer on his 65th birthday in June of 2009. I watched him go through weekly chemo and radiation treatments for months; always walking in under his own power, even when he barely had strength to get out of bed.

He lost his fight seven short months later, in January of 2010. When he was in treatment, I thought, if he could walk into his weekly treatments on his own, I could walk the 6.2 miles of the Bellin Run. Then he passed away. I then changed that thought to finding a way to run the 6.2 miles.

I had never been a runner up to that point in my life. I ran the entire race that June, with my dad's picture pinned to my shirt. We crossed the finish line together. I haven't looked back. Now running is my therapy, my time to be with my dad.

I ran my first half-marathon one year and one day after he died. I never thought that would be possible in my lifetime. I run with an angel on my shoulder, whispering “you’re doing great!” in my ear, every time I run.

I miss him dearly and think of him daily. I thank him for the gift of running.

Share Your Story
Send us a few paragraphs on why you’re participating in the Bellin Run and we’ll use your stories in a variety of ways, including posting them on our website’s blog at http://www.bellinrun.com

E-mail your reasons for running (or walking) to Femi Cole at [email protected]. Put “Why I run/walk the Bellin Run” in the subject line. We’ll be watching for your stories.