Motivation not a problem for one local Boston Marathon runner
Posted February 12, 2019 6:25 p.m. EST
Updated February 12, 2019 6:53 p.m. EST
Fuquay-Varina, N.C. — Scott Myers has crossed his fair share of finish lines. However, 26.2 miles doesn't seem to be as short of a distance as it used to be.
"I'm slower, that may have something to do with getting older," laughs Myers, head cross country coach at Holly Springs High School and 2019 Boston Marathon charity runner.
Or, it may have something to do with the chronic disease he contracted six years ago: ulcerative colitis.
"I was kind of fighting for my life at that moment," Myers recalls.
Myers lost 40 pounds and his shot at participating in the distance runner's Nirvana. He contracted the disease after qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
"At that point, you're just happy to be where you are: alive," Myers explains. "So, instead of having anger, remorse, regrets or anything like that, you're happy just to be there."
In two months, he'll finally get to run that revered road race. But, this story's not about him.
"I'm doing this for Laura, there's no doubt about it," Myers says.
Laura is his sister-in-law, who doctors recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
"She and I have a fun relationship," says Myers. "She's State, I'm Carolina. We go at each other about that, we have some pretty good digs. And she married my brother, that's whatever!"
She's Scott's motivation. She's why he's going above and beyond attempting to raise $11,000, well above the $7,500 minimum for a Boston Marathon charity runner.
"That's what it costs a month for her medicine," Myers explains.
Myers' body no longer lets him train as hard as he used to. He needs to put on weight when others aim to shed pounds. But when his legs start to quiver and his will begins to bend, it's why and who he's putting himself through agony for, that'll give him that second wind in his second shot at Boston.
"I feel like in this life, if we don't help others, who will?" Myers asks. "Who's gonna do it?"
His fundraising deadline is up at the end of the week, if you'd like to contribute to his cause, Myers asks that you click on his website.
