Why Not?

For those who knew Carson Philbin, you know he lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed every moment and would not say no to an adventure. He had a passion for film, and running he dedicated all the time he had to become the best he could be at both those. He was a college student at Savannah College of Art and Design and ran for the cross-country team while in attendance. It took him a few tries to find his path but once he was at SCAD he knew that was the place for him. Carson had a life mantra of "Why not?". In his words this is meant to "eliminate the demons in your head that tell you that you shouldn't or that you can't" 

Earlier this year the Philbin Family experienced a terrible tragedy, we lost our brother/son Carson the day after his 24th birthday. If you asked anyone that knows the Philbin‘s they would tell you how active the whole family is. We are the quintessential turkey trot family everyone talks about.

Last year Carson decided to run his first marathon in the footsteps of Jason and Trenor, but he blew those footsteps out of the water. Carson qualified for Boston easily with a time of 2:48:59. He made the race look effortless and who knew what he would be able to accomplish next.

That following January, he was on a trip with his friends, and we lost him in a terrible accident. Days after that accident Trenor knew that we had to figure out how to run Boston in his memory. Carson always lived with a mantra of “why not?”. when you are presented with an opportunity why would you let the doubts of “I can’t” fill your mind instead of “I can”. If you want to do something that can bring you happiness, then why not try it. He had that tattooed on his hand so that he would always live by those words. He wanted to live every day to the fullest and take every opportunity you get so that it doesn’t pass you by and you are left with regret.

Trenor and Jason are running for Carson to do just that. They are running for all of those who are thinking they can’t do something, or they will try it later. You never know how short your life is so you should take the opportunity without a hesitation. Boston Medical Center gave Trenor and Jason that opportunity so in Carsons honor we are saying “why not?”

This race is meant to fulfill that mantra. We want to raise money for a scholarship to give someone an opportunity to say, "why not?" and follow their dreams. We want to provide someone an opportunity who has never run a 5k and doesn't think they can do it to try and tell yourself you can. We want to allow someone the chance to take a break from their busy life and walk however long they need to, to think about what they can accomplish. 

This race is meant to be an opportunity, a challenge, another obstacle that will not get in the way of someone fulfilling their goals in life. Run, walk, or crawl whatever you need to; to show yourself you can do it and live on in Carsons memory.

So, I encourage you all to set a goal that you have been afraid of and say, "why not?".