Well I bought the app. I made the resolve to start training on Monday. and I found the 5k that I want to start with.

http://coopersrun.org

From the webpage:

“My wife asked me to come up with a quick description of Cooper’s Run. That requires a brief explanation. So here it goes:

Our son, Cooper, unexpectedly died on July 31, 2009. He was four. We will forever remember that day. We will also forever remember and be grateful for all of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) personnel that responded. Due to the circumstances of Cooper’s death, there were what seemed like hundreds of Orem City police, fire, and ambulance personnel–not to mention the hovering AirMed helicopter.

As you would expect, each EMS responder acted professionally. After all, that’s the way most of us perceive they are wired and trained. But that’s not what left us impressed or feeling like we wanted to give back. What did that was that every EMS responder also acted with profound respect, compassion and what my wife and I describe as “reverence”–attributes and adjectives not usually associated with EMS responders like paramedics or fireman and certainly not the stereotypical “cop.” But they did, each and every one of them. And for that we are grateful. And because of that we’d like to use the anniversary of Cooper’s death to express our personal, as well as (hopefully) a community “thank you” to them.

At the time of his death, Cooper was enrolled to begin his second year at Learning Dynamics—an amazing pre-school. Coop loved Learning Dynamics and the attention, activities and love he felt there. He learned to write his name (first and last!) at Learning Dynamics. Shortly before his death, Cooper proudly signed his own name on a Mother’s Day gift for his mom. It now sits in a prominent place in our home with his uniquely personalized signature clearly visible.

So what is Cooper’s Run? It’s really two runs in one. For the “serious runner” (or even those who want to walk/jog) we’ve organized a 5K run. For the rest of us, we’ve also organized a much shorter family-oriented “fun run” (where decorated or un-decorated scooters, bikes, wagons, etc. would be welcomed). Both runs end at the same location where there will be some short family oriented activities like free Otter Pops (one of Cooper’s favorite treats), an outdoor band, an up-close look at some of Orem’s police, fire and rescue vehicles and equipment, and (unless they are responding to a call) the AirMed helicopter, as well as other fun “stay as long as you want or just leave” type activities.

So come participate. We hope your whole family will feel invited and welcomed. By participating you will join with our family in expressing our appreciation and admiration for the City of Orem and every EMS worker (whether of Orem or not) who carries out his/her duties not only with expected professionalism, but also with compassion, respect, and reverence. Also, this year those who participate or choose to donate will help us fund a scholarship in Cooper’s memory and in his name. Funds raised will be used to help other 3, 4, and 5 year olds attend Learning Dynamics where family finances might otherwise keep them from doing so.

In ways which written words cannot adequately express, we feel that if Cooper’s Run can help us create new meaning for July 31st, help us express appreciation and gratitude to EMS responders, and help a few other kids learn to proudly sign their own names on their own Mother’s Day gifts, it can be a happy and meaningful day–for years to come.

Cooper always loved a party. So come join us! I’ll be the one passing out the Otter Pops!”

I remember how much my heart hurt when I heard the story of how Cooper died last summer. I hurt and prayed for the family. Because that made such an impact on me is how I based my decision to do this run. I sent an email to the address listed on the website this morning

“I am so glad that the Orem PD put this on their facebook page. I remember when this happened and how deeply
it affected me and I don’t even know you. I hurt and prayed for your family. I made a resolve last month that
I needed to be healthy and loose weight. I also decided just last night that I wanted to start training for a 5k and
eventually would look around for a 5k in the area. The first thing I saw this morning when I got on facebook was
the link to your site and have resolved that this is the 5k that I will do. I will sign up on payday and I’ve posted the link
on my facebook and twitter and blog pages. Thank you for doing something so great. ”

And not much later I recieved a reply

“Susan:

You are wonderful! Please make sure you grab either my wife (Jana Lynn) or me at the race and introduce yourself. We’d love to meet you!

Thank you for your kind words and your support!

Quinn (Cooper’s Dad)

P.S. I think Otter Pops are fat free!! We can sit together and eat a ton of them!! (We’ll pretend their sugar free too!)”

I never thought that I would be excited about running. But I am. I am really looking forward to running for Cooper.