I Run for You and Me, My Friend

Update April 28th, 2019

Dear friends and family,

This has not been an easy thing to say but I was unable to run my first 100 mile ultra; which you all so generously donated to in support of me and my friend Chris.

Minnesota was hit with a very bad Spring storm last week. My dad and I drove a camper to the race start on Wednesday ( a 2.5 hour trip, which took us over 6 hours with the winter storm conditions) in order to hopefully be able to set up for the race on Friday. We were unable to make to Zumbro due to the amount of snow on the roads and ended up in Rochester, MN. Later that evening, the race director cancelled the Zumbro races. I have attached a link with some images of the conditions and reasons they cancelled the race. I would have ran through that storm if they would have let me; but I understand their reasons for cancelling.

I am so very sorry for all of this. I trained for a year for this run and I wanted to fulfill my commitment to all of you and to Chris. It is not easy to tell others why you want to run 100 miles and even more difficult to say that it did not happen.

When I discovered the race was cancelled, I was so so sad. Yet, after a few minutes I realized I will run 100 miles, it just would not happen on April 12th, 2019. I have started to look at 100 miles in the North West (my new home) for this fall. I will let you all know when I complete my first ultra and send a few pictures of the journey.

The Minnesota Zumbro 100 is also something I will come back to. I did not start this journey with the intention of running 100 miles twice; however, I will run this race and I am very hopeful for better conditions next year.

Thank you so very much for all of your support.

Love, Jamie

Photos of the conditions: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Md71eyuEHXua3cXQA

A letter from the race director: https://www.zumbroendurancerun.com/2019-zumbro-endurance-run-cancellation-followup/

“Only those who risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go” - T.S. Eliot

Chris

I met Chris Laczko during Junior High School in Bakersfield, California. Bowl haircut and all. Chris is the type to effortlessly draw you into his shenanigans. His laughter is loud and real. His smile and his boyish charm genuine. I have never known anyone who embraces life as much as Chris.

Chris has been struggling with a liver disease since the age of 14; the seriousness of which he did not share with even his closest friends at the time. This was no doubt to keep them from worrying about him. The disease was recently diagnosed as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis or PSC for short. Chris was extremely lucky and benefited from an organ transplant this past month. However, his battle is not over and as he fights it; he will continue to have medical bills in excess of $1,200 per year.

Jamie

I have been blessed with a healthy body and I intend to use it with everything I’ve got. I am pledging to run a 100 mile ultramarathon in support of my good friend. I have never run this distance and often get asked (by people with horrified looks on their face) “WHY? Why would any sane person run 100 miles?”

Life is a crazy adventure and I want to experience everything I can from it, while I can. Some describe running 100 miles as “life in a day”; full of highs and lows, challenges and rewards. I run for life. I run with hope for Chris.

Everything I raise will go to Chris and his medical bills so that he can get back to living the life he so very much deserves. When I hit my lowest low on the run, your pledge will keep me going. I promise this.