 
Patricia Wasko did it! She completed her first race ever on Thanksgiving Day in a time of 40:16. Her Daughter and "best friend" Kaitlin finished in a time of 25:41, and they are both winners! We congratulate them both!. Patricia's story: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Today, I picked up my race number and "goodie bag" with my daughter, who is running her 3rd race.
In 2008, I ran one mile without stopping! As a walker around a track, it was getting a little boring for me, so with lots of encouragement from my daughter, I tried running. I was amazed that I was actually able to run a lap, then two and then 4 to make my mile. I ran for the summer only.
In July of 2009, I began running, again, and it was exhilarating until one day in early August, a seasoned track runner told me that I was "sprinting" around the track, rather than running. I felt like I wasted 5 weeks of running (sprinting). I didn't allow my running mistake to get me down. I ran almost daily with my daughter and got up to 4 miles. We have continued running together since the summer and even in the very chilly mornings, to-date. We also ran road routes that we made up. Of course, my daughter runs like a "deer," but she ran at my slow speed when we ran the roads and the hills.
My daughter stayed with me during my slow road runs to be sure that I was okay because I have an implanted defibrillator/pacemaker for a heart arrhythmia. I have had a device since 2001, received it in my late 30's. I felt useless after receiving my first implant and it wasn't until I received my second one that I finally believed my doctor that I can do anything I want to and without limitations. People feel that once they receive a defibrillator/pacemaker or even just a pacemaker, their physical life is limited and their mind-frame does not go beyond a physical walk. As I have found out, this is totally untrue and anyone can change their life for the better, even with an implanted device.
Now, I love my runs, they have physically changed me and the feeling of stress release during them has made me a stronger person. Last weekend, I ran the track almost a full 6 miles without stopping, a true triumph for myself.
My daughter, Kaitlin, she's my "Best Friend"...as well as my husband, Steve, and son, Ryan. I promise them (as well as myself) that I will run this race and I will look forward to my finish with them waiting for me.
This is my story of "why I am running."
Patricia Wasko
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