Running With Ryan

After 40 weeks and 4 days my sister gave birth to my niece Ryan Elizabeth on November 23, 2010 in Germany. She was stillborn. It came completely out of the blue, as my sister was going in for a check-up since she was past her due date. Two days earlier everything had been fine, but on that sad Tuesday it wasn't anymore. It was a big blow to my sister and brother-in-law, as well as the rest of our family.

I wasn't able to talk to my sister for a couple of days after losing Ryan because she was still in the hospital in Germany. I was finally able to speak with her on Thanksgiving Day. It was at the same time, the toughest phone conversation of my life and the one I was most thankful to be a part of. During this call, my sister said she wanted to run a half marathon in memory or Ryan. I instantly knew I had to do the same.

I've been running for the last few years, but I never thought I would attempt a run of this distance. Ryan is now my motivation. I decided to keep a blog of my training as another way to honor her memory.

Please visit my sister's blog (http://www.runningwithryan.net/p/ryans-story.html) for the complete story of Ryan Elizabeth Watts.