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Dave Griffin On Running
The Carroll County Times – Sunday, May 2, 2010
We’ve all had moments that have changed the course of our lives, a revelation or event the made us realize life wasn’t going to turn out the way we expected it would. If you and I were together, I’m certain we could talk for hours on that very subject. Chances are, though, our stories would never match Kelli Hawthorne’s.
Kelli grew up an athlete playing a variety of sports. By the time she got to high school, field hockey was her sport of choice, and her spirited nature served her well on the field. She was on the swim team during the winter and ran track in the spring. Competition drove her, but the satisfaction that came with hard effort was her core motivation.
When she was an undergraduate at McDaniel College, it was hard for Kelli to balance sports with academics, so she set team sports aside in favor of a daily run. Running helped her stay fit while she explored the campus and the town. More importantly, it allowed her to continue to challenge herself physically.
In the fall of 2009, Kelli was in the Master’s in Elementary Education Program at McDaniel. When she left to attend her brother’s wedding on the Oregon coast, she didn’t realize that everything was about to change. The night after the wedding was beautiful and she was eager to explore the beach and see the brilliant stars resting on the ocean’s horizon. So she ran toward the steps leading to the water, only the steps weren’t there.
When they found her, she had fallen twenty-five feet and head first onto the rocky coastline. Only her legs and feet were visible. It took a team of firefighters, paramedics, police and other rescue staff more than an hour to extricate her before she was transported to the hospital. Her injuries went far beyond the horrific visible wounds. No one expected her to survive.
If I tried to tell you about the recovery I would fall short in the explanation. Even if I somehow found the right words, it would be nearly impossible to comprehend them. Let me simply say this; it’s remarkable to know that a human being can endure such hardship, but even more miraculous that it was done in such a noble way. Through it all, Kelli has been determined, disciplined and gracious.
She won’t be running any time soon, but that hasn’t stopped her from dreaming about it. She looks forward to the day when a run will clear her mind and sooth her challenged spirit.
In the meantime, others will be running for Kelli on May 15th at McDaniel College in the first annual Kelli Hawthorne Run For Life. The 5K course will follow some of the very pathways that she followed on her runs around campus.
Kelli’s story could easily be one of tragedy, but instead, it is one of human courage. Now, when she finally begins teaching, she’ll offer lessons that extend far beyond any textbook curriculum. Then, in the lives of those she touches, the positive impact of an unexpected course will be measured. In the end, I’m sure it will be immense.
Dave Griffin
Dave Griffin is the Times’ running writer. His column appears every other Sunday. Reach him at dpgflyingfeet@aol.com or join the Facebook group, Flying Feet Running Programs.