March 18, 2020
Dear Bionic5K community,
Wow, things have gotten crazy. I’ve spent the last week working long days with an incredible group of dedicated teachers and administrators, trying to figure out what online learning should look like at a hands-on, project-based elementary school. At night, I put the screens away and clear my head by going for a run. The streets have been quiet, minus the stomp of my sneakers against the pavement and the strange pistoning noise my prosthesis makes as air escapes from my silicone liner. This is my time . . . to think. Sometimes my mind chews on things, maybe too much, and tonight I couldn’t get this email out of my head.
February 23, 2020 at 12:12pm
Dear Bionic 5K Folks,
My sister-in-law Emma and I did this amazing race last year. Emma ran on her brand new prosthetic (not meant for running . . .) leg just a few months after completing chemo. She is now off in CA attending law school. We'd like to do the race again, with me in person in Cambridge and her running a 5K distance in CA at the same time. Could I register her, get her a t-shirt and a number, and have all that make sense to you all without her actually running in Cambridge? We don't want to mess up your timing systems, but we'd love to celebrate Emma's good health and full living by doing this race again. She also has a running leg now, so that's fun, too . . .
Thanks for considering, and thanks for having this awesome event.
Warmly,
Liz
At some point, mid-run, maybe mile 2, it dawned on me. We have to cancel the Bionic5K this year because of COVID-19, but we can still run it virtually with Liz and Emma… and everyone who still wants to choose optimism and celebrate what we are all capable of even in dark times. After all – this isn’t the first time that most of us have faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
Here is what I propose: Each of us can run or walk our own 3.1 mile course between April 24-26, keep track of our time with our watches and phones, and upload the results. Post a photo to Facebook and tag Bionic5k – and send it to me too. I will turn the website into a photo gallery that brings us all together. A quick Google search will tell you that virtual races have happened before, but maybe we can make this one special. All suggestions are welcome. I will post the final plan on March 31st. Personally, I need something to look forward to, something to train for, and some way to measure my progress.
So who’s in? I’ll send you a kickass shirt and a poster as keepsakes, and 100% of proceeds will go to supporting those who have to overcome physical challenges. Let’s make this happen. Optimism is contagious.
With gratitude,
Will Borden
PS. To register click here. If you’ve already signed-up, your registration has been
converted to the virtual race. If for some reason this does not work for you, email me at info@bionic5k.com and we will issue a refund, no questions asked.