Three miles a day for my mother!

By Vilma Van Horn

I have been attending the classes the fitness center has to offer, since November of last year, (2011).   My reason to start was my dear mom, who passed away not long before that of lymphoma cancer.  While she was sick, she wanted so bad to go for walks but was not able because where she lived in Costa Rica, the environment (roads) is not safe for walking.  The road where her house is located is narrow, and very busy with cars and buses.  The road doesn’t have sidewalks and there are lots of steep hills.  And with her health being so bad, it was a large risk for her life.

So when she died, I realized many things I took for granted and the main one is my physical health and well being.  I live in a country and a small town where it is so easy to just go for walks or runs and don’t have to deal with a lot of traffic.  We have wide roads with sidewalk and no steep hills.  But most importantly, we have the privilege to work in a place that allows us to use a great fitness center so we can have better health and well being.

So I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to do what my mom would have loved to do.  So when I run, I do it in memory of my mother and I feel that she is running with me and keeps me running at least 3 miles a day.