Running for a cause

AIDS Marathoner Ryan Singleton spoke at AFC's annual meeting about running for a cause.  AFC unveiled its new endurance training program, Train to End AIDS, as part of the ceremony commemorating participants of its training program. Read Ryan's remarks below:

I smile just thinking about the National AIDS Marathon Training Program.

Though I’ve only been part of it since April, AIDS Marathon is a large part of me. For the six months I trained with the program, I loved my Saturday mornings. I looked forward to our long runs along the lakefront. I even enjoyed our interval workouts at the track downtown! I would get charged with adrenaline, knowing that I was part of a large, diverse group. For those six months, Saturday mornings were the highlight of my week.

Training for the Chicago Marathon with this program was special because of the relationships I discovered. Strangers became friends. Unfamiliar faces were replaced with inspiring smiles. A team of runners emerged from a group of individuals.

And a community was born. A community dedicated to running and fighting HIV/AIDS.

As we developed together, we began to learn about each other’s goals—what made the other runners tick. For me, I’ve always wanted to qualify for the Boston Marathon. To do so, I needed to finish Chicago in 3 hours 10 minutes or faster. Qualifying for Boston has been my goal since I laced up my first pair of running shoes five years ago. But I had been unsuccessful in all of my previous attempts.

THIS was my year, though! “Boston” became my battle cry. And I could taste that sweet victory. All I could think about was achieving my goal, while wearing my AIDS Marathon singlet. Through every training run, I fed off the energy from other runners and found encouragement in our coaches and staff.

When race day finally came, I was hungry—no I was starving for my qualifying finish. For the first 17 miles of the marathon, I was on pace to finish in less than 3 hours 10 minutes!

However, my calf muscles began to cramp with 9 miles to go. And then my hamstrings followed suit. I eventually slowed down to a point where finishing seemed doubtful.

But the AIDS Marathon logo on my chest reminded me that I was not alone.

When I needed strength more than ever, Coaches Aaron, Richard, Dan and Program Representative Alicia hopped onto the course to run with me. To walk with me. To shoulder my weight, when my legs refused to move.

And because of them, I finished. No, I didn’t qualify for Boston. But that didn’t matter. I was part of a running community—something bigger than I alone could ever be. I was on a team of giants. And I learned how to run with strength and compassion.

AIDS Marathon is much more than a symbol along Lake Michigan in the summer. It’s more than a feel-good program. It’s a community that empowers people with the courage to run. And it empowers people to support a life-giving organization, such as AFC.

Boston will come and go for me someday. But the National AIDS Marathon Training Program will always be part of who I am.

Learn more about Train to End AIDS online and plan to join us in 2010.