Why I Run for Riley, Set 1
By: Scott Pritchard
Riley’s uncle and RHFF Treasurer
Let’s establish this up front, I hate to run…and Riley and I shared that perspective. As good of a runner as Riley was, he was a big, muscular dude and running wasn’t easy for him. But he knew the health benefits, so he powered through it. I don’t have the same problem of being a muscular dude but running was ingrained in me as a punishment in high school sports. Drop a pass…run a 100-yard sprint. Miss a free throw…add a lap for the team.
Even now, I don’t enjoy running. I’m probably over the negative psychosis of running, but I’m just not good at it. My feet hurt; my quads get tight…basically I’m just getting old. But I run. Not because I enjoy it, but because Riley chose to run even though it wasn’t easy for him. And Riley chose to do something far harder in giving his life to save the lives of others. If Riley could do that, then surely I can run for Riley.
By: Amy Westmoreland
Mother of Riley’s girlfriend of 5 years, Lauren Westmoreland
Riley is special to my family for many reasons and even now I think of how he always appreciated physical fitness, even when he was 15. He would fuss about not meeting his own personal expectations when he was on a break from working out, but I saw that he only worked out for himself. He truly never cared if anyone else pushed themselves extra hard to become a top physical specimen or if they wore some extra pounds and took life easy. However, if he saw someone making an effort to do their best or test themselves with a new physical challenge, Riley was full of the most enthusiastic and genuine encouragement! I remember his praise of my son when they hiked together on the upper falls trail at Yosemite–he was so proud of Matthew for taking on that hike with him. He was bursting with pride when his girl, our daughter Lauren, successfully navigated a climbing wall like a pro. He applauded my efforts to try even the smallest endeavors at fitness like walking or rowing, and he absolutely loved that my husband joined Ri’s CrossFit family and got ripped! I love that Riley appreciated people whether they worked out or not, but he was truly delighted when he saw someone pushing themselves to go further and be their physical best.
Later, my husband said he wondered if Riley maintained his strength because he never knew when it might be needed and he wanted to be ready. I run for Riley as a reminder to myself that there is great value in “being ready”...and because he always liked to see people trying their best, no matter what they wanted to do.
By: Juliet Howell
Riley’s youngest sister
When I was about 10 years old, Mom took all of us kids out to run the Maggie Valley Moonlight race. Growing up in a family that loves to do active things and run all the annual races can make a little chubby 4th grader not like running so much. But, I was determined to do it because all my other siblings were. I hadn’t felt well all day, and halfway through the race, jogging along with Mom, I started feeling quite queasy. When I came up on the finish line, I felt like I was moving in slow motion. Right when I crossed it, I leaned over and threw up. As stars appeared before my eyes and I started to topple, Riley swept in to catch me. He gave me a piggyback ride all the way back to the car and told me how proud he was of me for toughing it out and finishing the race. We all have a laugh about it now, but I remember feeling completely spent and grateful to my strong big brother for the help.
That was Riley—the first one to jump in on a scene of action, to help those in need. In a life or death moment, he did what he did to help others. Nothing will ever be as hard as what he selflessly decided to do on that day. So I tell myself , even if it does take pain to get a job done, I can do anything. Running is difficult and painful for me, but I know I can do it if I just put my mind to it and exert the effort like Riley would. I run for Riley because I can, because he loved physical fitness and being healthy, and because I feel a sense of relief that we’re doing these traditions for Ri. But I also think he would find it funny that we bring people together and exercise for him. Even if you’re not at your peak fitness level or even trying your very hardest, we are all still out there sweating it out for Ri, and I know he would love that.
