Holly was an Army captain at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and had been in the U.S. Army for nine years when she was called on post for Desert Storm in 1990. As she drove to report for her post in a civilian vehicle with a history of tipping over she went on a temporary road and the car rolled. She injured her spinal chord and lost the use of her legs.
After being told she would never be an athlete again, Holly began racing in marathons. Not out of spite (if you know her there is not mean freaking cell in her
body) but because that is all she knows how to do: excel.
Well in Juneau, Alaska at the Frank Maier Marathon just a few days ago and 102 marathons after her journey started, Holly became the absolute first person ever, male or female to race a wheelchair marathon in all 50 states.
I am glad to call Holly a friend. Time and time again, when I hear people make up excuses for not doing things in life, be it because they aren't "built like a runner" or lack something somewhere, I think of Holly. I usually keep my mouth shut but think about how there are so many people out there who do not let limitations stop their dreams.
In my speeches, I am often asked who inspires me. with so many friends like Holly out there, I often reply: "Who doesn't?"
Way to go Holly!
7 comments:
YES! Congrats, Holly. That's an incredibly cool accomplishment.
Just want to make sure I understand your last line the way you meant it... do you mean that all of your friends inspire you?
In some way, usually every single person I know has something inside of them which surprises and inspires me.
Wow... I definitely don't feel that way about everyone I know! My handful of really close friends, yes. I don't know, I guess it takes a lot to impress me (wait, that sounds really familiar... ;-)
Impress and inspire are two different concepts. I try my very best to look for something good in everyone I meet.
unfortunately, some people take a GREAT deal of looking and I will admit I sometimes do not have the patience to look that long.
Hi Dane,
Excellent article! I just told my friend Tim about this post.
-C
P.S. Just thought you might like to know that you are now part of the Runner's Circle. ;-)
Cheers,
-C
Awesome job, Holly!! That is really a great accomplishment. Thank you for continuing to share Holly's successes with us, Dane.
Hi Dane,
Doh, there's a minor error in the above link I listed: If you follow the Runner's Circle link & then remove the slash from the URL & reload the page, the link works! ;-) Here's the correct link. Please excuse the typo!
-C
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