As I woke up on Saturday morning I looked out the window to find winter had finally decided to make an appearance.
The snow kept coming (it still is) and the wind made it -21C outside that’s -8F!!!
I printed off my race bib anyway because there was no way I wasn’t running for this woman, Sherry Arnold: mother, teacher, wife, runner.
As a runner, my heart goes out to her because I can imagine what she must’ve been thinking as she ran down the road: nothing. Her mind was probably in such a great place, anticipating the best from people. I find I always feel better about humanity as and after I run.
As a woman, my heart feels her. A classic case of females not being safe in their own communities. I just don’t know what men people are thinking sometimes. Men will never have to worry about whether they have pepper spray on them, whether they’ll be able to get to their cars fast enough, whether they can go let the dog out when their husbands aren’t home, if it’s safe to take a ride from an acquaintance, whether they’ll make it home unscathed, about whether they’re safe, alone at night.
I’m not trying to be bitter towards men, just trying to illustrate that many men will never know what it feels like to be a woman in this world. It’s scary. So I ran for not only Sherry but for woman and courage too!
I had to run inside because Colin (the not so scary, supportive man in my life) told me I couldn’t run outside. He thought I’d injure myself because under all that snow was ice. Before the run I felt like an idiot for choosing to run on the treadmill but that quickly faded once on it.
I envisioned Sherry and me running together in spirit and I can’t tell you how powerful that made me feel.
Today I ran not for Sherry, but with her.
Maybe her soul rest in peace.
For more information about the virtual run, Sherry and how you can help visit: Shut up and Run
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Question:
1. Are you running today??
I’m not running today, but I am swimming in honor of Sherry. Her entire tragedy just makes me so sad.
Nice Job Heather
I’m sure any positive thoughts of Sherry are good enough. hope you had a great swim in her name 
Yep, I’ll be running for Sherry in a bit. I have my bib printed out.
As a guy running alone and in the dark, I don’t feel very safe myself since two guys up to no good wouldn’t have any trouble taking me out. I suppose women would feel 1000x more uncomfortable than me doing the same run. That really must suck.
loved reading this comment yesterday
it made me realize maybe men are more scared than I realize. I hope you had a great run for Sherry 
xox
Beautiful post Ali!
Mike and I had an 8 mile race today and we dedicated our run to her. Our printer was out of ink so we didn’t wear the bib, but I definitely thought about her often during my run. There was another woman with the bib on the back of her shirt and we told her we were running for Sherry too!
Thanks Jamie. Glad you a mike dedicated that awesome race to Sherry! and that’s cool that you saw some others running for her
I ran two painful miles because I woke up with a chest cold but I wanted to get out there for Sherry.
great job getting out there Patty
Beautiful tribute xx
I run for Sherry as well.
thanks Lara
and glad you ran too!
Very beautiful post and tribute.
Thanks so much Christina <3
Great job, Ali! Paul and I are going to head out in a little while for our run-tribute to Sherry.
Nice! hope you and Paul had a great run for Sherry xo
I am happy to hear you ran. I want to know how you can run facing the wall like that? I can’t handle the dreadmill even while watching TV
I’m really good at visualization and usually picture myself racing in order to keep on the treadmill. It is also facing the wall b/c Colin said he was going to build me a shelf for my macbook (so I could watch movies) but he has yet to do it
haha
Nice work Ali! I was going to run today but I may have screwed up that plan by playing in a basketball tourney this morning. Hoping to get out there tomorrow though
Ya, don’t want to over do it and get injured. I hope you guys ROCKED your tournament!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, anyone in my area who wants a running partner, just ask. I’ll give you references, you can do a background check, whatever. There is NO REASON why anyone should not feel safe.
ya – too bad we don’t live close. I like that you have references. I am going to ask my neighbour if she wants to run with me
I ran for Sherry too. Beautiful collage of your run with her.
thanks Mandy and so glad you got your run in for Sherry too xoxo
Bubbles and I did our walk. It was beautiful outside – peaceful with hardly a soul around. The perfect time for contemplation and remembering.
nice job Char…and bubbles
and I haven’t had time to read your post yet as Colin is yelling at me that we have to go 
but I glimpsed that you ran!!!!!! *spank* 
I ran for Sherry today. Pushed myself on the *dreadmill* to a personal best in dedication to her memory. Here’s to courage and strength and running in peace forever. To you Sherry…..
Nice job Mary!!! and CONGRATS on the PB
xo
Thanks Ali. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the dedication of the run. I refused to give up!!
Very nice tribute…I stuck to the ‘mill today too. It wasn’t my original plan but I still wanted to get some miles in for today’s tribute run as well!
Thanks Abbi – and I felt the exact same as you: wasn’t my original plan but wanted to get the run in!
Awwww sweetheart <3 so amazing! GOOD FOR YOU!
Thanks Meg
hope you’re having a great weekend
I love you!! You are the kindest person ever! I knew about the run and ran for her but did not print out the bib!! I also ran on the treadmill. 50 minutes of sprints
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thanks Christina
you too! hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Also – not the kindest person ever, just kind 
which you are too xoxox
Really good post. I feel the same way about how unfair it is that men can do whatever they want, they don’t need to worry about being safe. I hate being home alone at night because it scares me, running alone is dangerous, and I’m not allowed to run alone at night. Why does the world have to be this way? Why must we always live in fear?
I don’t know Ricole. I just don’t know. I try to think about the good people, like the millions that ran for Sherry, looked for her, spread the word about her. They definitely out number the scary/bad people in our lives.
Totally agree about the fear though. I am so scared when I’m alone at night
Beautifully written!
thanks christy – glad you got your run in too
Sherry’s story really hits home for me because it’s my biggest fear and I feel like it’s every runner’s worst nightmare. Good for you for running with Sherry. I’ll be dedicating my next run to her.
That’s true Sarah. It is a scary thought. I think it was a great reminder to be safe and buddy up at night or whenever you’ll be on a long run.
Also I am so happy you found me but your link didn’t work so I can’t visit your blog
This is beautiful Ali, I am so so glad you did this. You are such a lovely person! This really touched me, it’s not a story that made big news in the UK but it is a real fear for women. I am too frightened to go out alone in the dark and I do agree that on the whole it’s not something that men have to worry about as much. Well done you, I hope her family are able to find some peace.
Thanks Sophie
loved reading this comment and I wish her family comfort and peace too. Have a great weekend xo
Love reading all of these Sherry run stories!! Glad you played it safe and still got your run in. I agree that I don’t think men will ever quite understand the vulnerability that women experience! Glad we could all fight back together with this run.
Exactly my thoughts, just read your recap and it did feel very empowering to be able to run with so many women
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