Deb and Preston
Most of my adulthood was spent walking for exercise. I actually walked everywhere. When my boys were young I would push them in a jogging stroller and we would sing, count daffodils, learn Spanish… this was our quiet time. My son, Preston has Mitochondrial Disease and we knew he may be in that jogging stroller a bit longer than our older son Alex was. But it was okay because Preston enjoyed our walks together. When he was 9 years old he was invited to run with Team Hoyt Virginia Beach. This was much better than walking with mom, now he found speed. While I was walking the half marathons he was running with Team Hoyt and finishing much quicker than I was. This was great for Preston but I wanted to be the one to cross the finish line with him.
In the summer of 2012 I decided to run. February of 2013 I ran my first 14K with Preston. When we crossed the finish line together we were both hooked! Not only were the races fun but the training was fun too. Preston has his bluetooth and we both sing together and laugh at funny things we may see. We stop to take pictures of special things or even just pics of us having fun. Gummy bears are a must for our races, Preston says that the purple ones make me run faster.
In May, 2015 my friends surprised me with a Hoyt Blade Running chair. This totally changed our way of running! First, Preston loved it because there was more room for him and much more comfortable. He also loved it because it allowed me to attempt to run faster, which Preston loved. It also opened another world to us and that was biking together! Our Blade has a bike boom that attaches to my bike and we were now able to ride together. In July 2015 Preston and I joined 2300 cyclist and rode from Philadelphia to Atlantic City to raise money for children of fallen police officers and fire fighters. We didn’t know anyone and were such novices to the cycling world. We had each other to get us through the 65 mile journey and that is exactly what we did.
Yes, crossing the finish line or accomplishing the miles you set out to conquer are important but the most important part is being together. This is something Preston and I do together. Mother and Son! Something we can both do. Preston’s Legs may not cross him over the finish line but his heart is big enough for both of us to get to that finish line. His strength is what he gives me to push my body a little harder. Our passion is what hopefully may inspire others to run for someone else, who cannot, or ride with someone, who’s legs cannot pedal. What is important is you are together, accomplishing something so big and creating memories, they may never have had.
Submitted by Deb Markley Buenaga
- Published in Share Your Story
Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon 2016
If you have never thought about running a marathon, put the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon on your list. Yes, I said ‘never’. 8 months ago, I was barely a novice runner and it wasn’t until I met Bob and Ia Hilliard, that they convinced me to run their Marathon. While it may be the toughest course in Ireland, or as the locals like to put it, “The Gentle Slopes of West Cork”, I promise, it is worth it.
The breathtaking scenic views, the smell of the ocean, the multi-colored ponies, the castles, and going “down the rabbit hole” that is Rathbarry, the scenes are out of a fairytale. But it was the people who truly made the experience one of the most inspiring and motivating trips of my life.
- Published in Our Friends
100km de Millau Marie Jo and Phil
On Saturday September 24, 2016, Phil Kaminski and his wife, Marie Jo, will compete in the 100km de Millau, France’s most famous and oldest 100 km race! The two of them will race along the Tarn, make a round trip between Millau and Saint-Affrique, and pass under the Milau Viaduct. They will take in all the sights, and experiences together, as Marie Jo is pushed in a Team Hoyt Running Chair by Phil.
- Published in Our Friends
Pitbull Love
Hello Everyone, meet Daisy! Daisy is a 4 year old, pure-bred, American Staffordshire Terrier. She is a foster pup from the organization, Last Hope K9, and has been in my care for almost one year now. Daisy loves coming to the Shop at Southbridge Tool and Manufacturing. She gets to play with all her buddies (Mike and my Father), sit in on our meetings, and be a part of The Blade manufacturing process. From riding in the Blade, to testing out the most durable carrying bag materials, Daisy is always happy to help.
- Published in Our Friends
Team Unstoppable
Michael DiDonato and Kyle Brodeur met in 2011 and started running 5K, 10K, and triathlon races. The two make up “Team Unstoppable” and their motto is “Never Stop Dreaming”.
Kyle Brodeur became paralyzed November 1, 1997 when a drunk driver hit their family’s mini van head on. The car accident killed Kyle’s father, Michael Brodeur instantly and left Kyle in a comatose state for a full year. He now has traumatic brain injury and has had 25 major surgeries. Before the car accident, Kyle was very athletic and loved all sports. Kyle was very fortunate when he met Mike DiDonato and he gave Kyle the opportunity to become an athlete again. Together they make up Team Unstoppable. Kyle chose this name because he feels as though through the years he has been unstoppable and never let his disability stop him from achieving his goals. Their quote “Never Stop Dreaming” was chosen because Kyle never stopped dreaming that one day he would become an athlete again.
- Published in Our Friends