I started my running journey as a way to become healthy.
 January of 2012 I had enough of feeling tired, overweight and fearful of
what the future may hold.  My family has a history of diabetes, heart
health and other medical issues.  I purchased a treadmill and vowed it
would not be just a clothes rack! I started out walking and totally changing my
eating habits.  Before I knew it I was confident enough to start to jog
half a mile and walk the other half.  Then by March 2012 I was shocked I
was able to slowly jog/walk 2 miles.    


My first official 5k race was the Susan G Komen race for the
cure in October of 2012, my mother is a survivor.  (I walked it the year
before with my family) The day of the race it was rainy and I was tempted not to
go, but a voice inside told me not to give in that I had trained for this three
miler and I could do it even in the rain. With that race under my belt I decided
to try another one, so I signed up for the Get Fit Cold as Ice.  I was
nervous and cold, wondering if I could do it. And what do you know, I came in
first place in my age category!!! I told everyone it was only because everyone
else didn’t show up that day! LOL 


As spring approached my husband had a career move and he
opened a new law firm.  One of the new partners happened to be married to a
runner!! It was nice to have someone to talk to about my new passion.  (At
this point I believe I had lost 50 pounds.)  She kept telling me that I
needed to train and run a half marathon with her!! What? A half marathon.
 I had just ran my first 5K six months ago! She told me that The Hope and
Healing place has a great half marathon every spring and that we should do it.
 Well we registered after much prodding and pushing on her part.  I
was excited and scared for the new challenge. I did not know much about the Hope
and Healing Place other than they were putting on the race.  


The day of packet pick-up came and we went to pick up our
race day gear.  I learned that HHP was a place for people who had lost a
loved one.  HHP was a place they could come and learn about the grief
process and be around others who could share in their pain and loss.  A
very nice gentleman gave us a tour of the facility and I was shocked that such
an awesome place had existed in Amarillo and I had never heard of it.
 


Mother’s Day 2013 was one of the most exhilarating days of
my life.  I woke up feeling very anxious, nervous, and a lot of “what ifs”.
 My friend picked me up and calmed my nerves giving me all the “insider”
running tips.  The race was ready to start, and as I was stretching I
noticed all these beautiful bird houses on a table by the finish line, BANG the
race was on!  I ran with pride of what I had trained for, I ran to feel
free, I ran to be me, I ran to show that anyone can do what they set their mind
to! As I was running I started seeing signs on other racers shirts, they were
running for their loved one that was not longer here on Earth to cheer them on.
 I was greeted at mile 6 with my husband and children holding signs they
had made the night before.  “My mom is running 13.1 What is your mom
doing?” “you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” “Go MOMMY,
you can do it!” 


I felt like I had wings! I was running a HALF MARATHON!!
ME?? and I knew that I would finish it! My family met me again at mile 10 and I
needed them.  I was just starting to feel my energy fading.  I was
running ahead of my planned time so I thought I better text my parents and
siblings to let them know I would finish earlier than expected.  As I
rounded the corner to the finish line I could see my parents, sister, nieces and
nephew.  They were cheering me in and even trying to run beside me.
 It is hard to put those feeling into words.  I was 36 years old and
my parents looked as proud as if I were 16 running in a high school race.
 I had done it, I had accomplished the unthinkable.  I, Laurie
Stockard had just finished my first half marathon!


I became a disciplined runner, running when I didn’t feel
like it and even running on vacations.  My life would be turned upside down
July of 2013.  Our summer vacation was a very long road trip to take my
children to see where my father grew up in Maine.  My parents went by
motorhome and us in our suv.  On the way up we stopped at all the great
American historical sites just as my parents had done with me when I was a
child.  (One of my favorites was jogging through Washington
DC.) 


We arrived in Maine on Wednesday July 24th
and had dinner with my dad’s sisters; Thursday my dad showed my kids around his home town;
Friday my parents took us on the Atlantic to go whale
watching, Saturday
my cousin had us over for a lobster boil, and on Sunday morning my
dad had sudden cardiac arrest and died.  Never complained of chest pain,
never felt sick, just gone.  My life was forever changed in the blink of an
eye. My world shattered and my heart destroyed. 


The hours, days, and weeks to follow were a fog.  My
first thoughts, when I was able to form thoughts, was to call the place that had
the half marathon.  The HOPE AND HEALING Place.  I remembered the nice
gentleman that had given me the tour, all the books they had, all the counselors
they had, knowledge and people that understood what we were feeling and maybe
could help us put one foot in front of the other.  I needed help, my
children needed help, my mother needed help, my sisters needed help, and the HHP
was able to put us all in a place where we felt ok to start the grieving
process. 


I have learned a lot about grief and mourning in the last 6
months. It isn’t an easy road and no one wants to go it, however we must.
 We must find a way to rise every day and find purpose in it.  We must
put one foot in front of the other.   I will be running the Hope and
Healing Place race again this Mothers day, May 11, 2014 with a
name on my shirt for my loved one who this year will not be able to physically
hug and cheer me on at the finish line, but I will wear it with pride for my
daddy, that will be there with me in my heart.   

Laurie Stockard
   
 

 
 

 

It's time to pull those old tennis shoes out of the closet, dust them off and start training for HHP's Half Marathon coming up on Mother's Day, May 11th.

Run in memory of a lost loved one or friend, or in honor of your mother and make your steps matter.   Join the team at HHP as we "go the distance" to
help those experiencing grief along the path to recovery and hope. 

Stay tuned for additional information and training tips.

The Hope & Healing Place 3rd Annual Half Marathon on Sunday, May 12th, 2013 (Mothers Day) was a success! Hundreds of runners participated in the run, both in support of HHP and in remembrance of loved ones. A big thanks to our supporters, volunteers, runners, walkers, joggers and skippers. 

We look forward to our 4th Annual Half Marathon in a year, so start your training now. And don't forget to come by and visit us at The Hope & Healing Place for a tour (1721 S. Tyler) and for more information about our services, volunteer opportunities and more.

Mother's Day 2013 brought 240 runners for our 3rd Annual Half Marathon.
Our wonderful sponsors and generous donors supported what is a complicated event to pull together on behalf of the Panhandle. 
Runners were kept safe at busy intersections and Xcel cooked breakfast and our 4 massage tables smoothed sore muscles. 
Our run planning group is already making plans for Mother's Day 2014 and for an more special run  (and walk) event.
We want to hear from our runners and runner families.
    What was good this year?
    What can we improve on for next year?
 Thanks to everyone who made the 3rd Annual Hope & Healing Place Half Marathon all that it could be.
Each runner, sponsor, and family all come together to heal the heart of a child...and that is Why we do this. 

AT 5AM on Monther's day our course volunteers began marking the 13.1 mile course.
At 6:00AM both runners and event  volunteers began arriving at the Start/Finish area at Amarillo National Bank. 
At 6:30AM Amarillo Police officers and Potter traffic volunteers begin going over the course intersections and how to keep our runners and walkers safe.
At 7:00AM we celebrate who runners and families, short prayer of thankfulness, and "Runners Start" is yelled.
At 8:15 the first male crosses the Finish line. About 8:40 the first woman crosses the Finish line. 
We cheer each finisher along with their family and friends. 
Some finish strong......Others are weary but determined. Our 4 massage tables are full and helping sore muscles.
At 9:30 we call out award winners by age, gender, run category of individual, 2 person, or 4 person team. 
Winners receive HHP birdhouses painted by our children and volunteers. HHP birdhouses are of high value to our runners and their children.
By 10:30 all but our last walkers are finished and volunteers are tearing down the event. 
At 10:31 our event volunteers are already planning Mother's Day Half Marathon 2014!!!

The 3rd Annual Half Marathon is ready for the Start line at 7:00AM on Mother's Day, May 12.
So many new or improved runner supports for this 3rd Annual run.
Our massage therapists are back for year three and ready for your sore muscles.
80% of our event  sponsors are new this year....We will host a sponsors reception post run.
The packet pick-up on Thursday and Friday before the run will have runner shirts, handouts, and run information.
The course will be clearly marked and easily followed with noisy cheerleaders.
The Amarillo Half Marathon is not OK City, San Diego, or Dallas. 
     Our volunteers want to Grow this event, make it the best ever, and brand the run as the biggest and best in
     the Panhandle.
There really is no secret to growing a run. 
     Be prepared for the runners and treat each runner or runner team as special partners to the HHP mission.
     Start on time.....Runners off at 7AM!!!
     Award the run winners with personal HHP birdhouses painted by HHP children and volunteers. 
     Leave the streets, ANB parking lot cleaner than when we began set-up at 5:00AM Sunday.
     Tell everyone you meet about the mission of Hope & Healing Place, to heal the heart of a child following
         a family or peer death.
     Come join us. Grow this half marathon to match the words of "more, better, larger, better, great time,"

The Half Marathon volunteers are getting ready for you and your cheerleaders.

Those setting the course will be on the streets at 5:00AM Sunday.
Runner packet pick-up will be at Hope & Healing Place, 1721 S. Tyler on Friday evening (4:00 - 6:30) and Saturday (10:00 to 2:00).  When you are there be sure to give us 6 minutes for a tour of our child, teen, and family grief & loss center. You will be pleased to support our mission.....promise!

Runners and Walkers registration will be ready between 6:15 and 6:30AM. We will greet every runner and walker with "Glad You Are Here" smiles.
At 6:30AM our water stations will be set-up with water/quick grab snacks. There will be medical staff at Western Hill water station and at the Start-Finsh line at Amarillo National Bank, downtown parking area. Security will be at the Start-Finish throughout the run.

At the Awards Ceremony the runners who are first in their age and gender brackets will receive a hand painted Hope & Healing Place birdhouse, our child and familly symbol of healing from a family or peer death.

So, we ready for you and 300 more!! See you early on Mother's Day, May 12.....& Thank You!!

Hope & Healing Place is a grief and healing center serving children, teens, and families.
We host our 3rd Half Marathon on Monther's Day, May 12, 7:00am.
So many volunteers and businesses come together to make this 3rd annual Mother's Day run and walk special for everyone.
Amarillo National Bank     Maxor National Pharmacy     Wiley Hicks, Jr., Inc, General Contractors
Texas Oncology     Axigent Technologies Group     Underwood Law Firm     Brown Subaru
Golden Spread Redi Mix      Carol & James Hicks     Top O' Texas Oilfiend Services
There is no 3rd Annual Mother's Day run without members from Lone Star Runner's Club or the Amarillo Police Department and traffic control volunteers from both Potter and Randal Counties.

So many family members, friends, and business supporters are at our water stations throughout the course. There will massage therapists who donate their talent to ease sore muscles. And more great people and supporters who work for months to talk to sponsors, mark the course, be companions to everyone.
Most importantly are our runners and walkers who praise the course and make it all hapen to sustain our grieve and healing services. All apart of healing the heatt of a child. A special Mother's Day....A special partnership.
' 

Can I walk the 13.1 miles?
Yes. We have individuals, 2 person & 4 person teams who walk the course.

If I finish high in my age / gender group what do I win?
The Hope & Healing Place symbol is a painted birdhouse.
You will receive a HHP birdhouse hand painted by our children & volunteers.

Are there medial staff on the course?
Yes. There will be a physician mid-course and at Start/Finish line.

How can my work or civic group support the Half Marathon?
Volunteers always needed at water stations, run set-up & tear down, and
cheering our runners and walkers onward! Any business or civic group can still be
a Mile Marker sponsor for $200. Just contact us and we will make it happen.

How do I and my friends sign-up?
Go to Active.com. Easily done and our 3rd year with this good site.

Will I be safe at traffic intersections?
Yes, we have Amarillo Police officers and other trained traffic volunteers at key
intersections throughout the full 13.1 miles of the course.

I keep seeing HHP. What is HHP?
HHP stands for Hope & Healing Place, A Grief, Loss, & Trauma Center serving
the TX Panhandle Our mission is to provide a variety of grief support groups for
children, teens, families, and individuals. There is no limit for healthy grieving.

The run / walk Panhandle spring calendar is full of 5K's, 10K's, fun and famly walks, and more,
The Hope & Healing Half Marathon is unique because of our nationally certified course and highly enjoyable course, traffic protection to runners, and the opportunity to say "Yes" to healing the heart of a child or Remembering someone so very special to you and your family and friends.

The half marathon is our only sponsored fundrasing event.
At HHP there are no fees for any services, at anytime.
Our sponsors, runners, and walkers makes thiis possible.
In this way each runner...each walker is a mission partner with our grief, loss, and trauma services.
So, Hope & Healing is a stand-out service site and our half marathon is a stand out Mother's Day event....come run, come walk...come cheer others. Welcome to Hope & Healing!!