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Scott's Dedication for Running a Marathon
Why Did Scott Run in the TCS New York City Marathon?
“Why?” The resounding question that governs each decision we make echoed through my mind as I made the choice to run the TCS New York City Marathon. Candidly, my subconscious screamed it at me as I stood in the starting corral, staring uphill at the peak of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. I felt like a fraud, with no certainty in my heart that I could stay ahead of the “sweep bus” or even finish the gauntlet that was laid out before me.
Let’s take a step back to January when I decided that if the opportunity presented itself and I was selected, I was going to lace up my shoes, lean forward, and run 26.2 miles in a city I’d never visited, with what would become fifty-six thousand new brothers and sisters. For me, this journey was not just about running a long distance; it was about fighting for my health and longevity. You see, at thirty-four years old, I was firmly entrenched in the morbidly obese category, knowing it was time to fight for my life.
Those who know me will attest that I will “full send” once a decision has been made, and I knew that this decision would require more sacrifice and discipline than anything I had undergone in the past. I had run a half marathon while in college, and it cost me a stress fracture in my foot. How would I persevere through double the distance in a part of the country that featured monumentally more elevation change than the flatlands of Southern Texas?
It was time to carry the boats.
There are a few inescapable truths in life that I have encountered. The one that stays with me the most is that we can only truly control our actions and mindset. So, that is what I did to prepare for the race, I put a training plan in place, and made a covenant that I would follow it. Running became the inescapable truth of life, and I made sacrifices in other areas that were not directly contributing to that pursuit.
There were many 2:30 a.m. alarms throughout the scorching months on Saturday mornings that signified the start of a long run. There were more than a few late-night runs where I would come through the door on the wrong side of midnight in pain, asking my wife to run an ice bath. While conducting our Section schedule and working 12+ hour days in the Texas heat, runs were not omitted; they came early or late. Sacrifice and discipline became the governing forces of life.
I need to take a moment to thank those who were on the journey alongside me. Firstly, to my wife, Jamie, who was so unbelievably supportive and the first to sacrifice alongside me. To Zoey, my dog, who put so many miles on her paws training with me. To the PGA of America REACH Foundation staff who worked tireless hours on our behalf and are so passionate about our great game. To the Southern Texas PGA Staff, Members, Associates, Partners, and Junior Golf families who supported me and always had words of encouragement. To my parents and brother, who helped shape me into the man I am and instilled the values that I lean on every day. Thank you, thank you for everything.
So, back to my “why?”.
My first “why?” was honor and privilege. The honor that I felt representing the 30,000+ PGA of America Members and Associates on the national stage. The honor I felt in raising money for PGA of America REACH Foundation and the amazing work that is conducted through PGA HOPE, PGA WORKS, and PGA Jr. League Programs. The privilege that I had in getting to talk to many people about what our PGA Professionals do daily in growing the game and impacting so many lives.
My second “why?” was legacy and personal accomplishment. I want to be remembered as a PGA Member who was always available when called upon. I want to know without a doubt that I have given everything my heart and body have to give and that I left nothing in the tank.
Lastly, and potentially most importantly, I wanted to be an example for those who want or need to make a hard life choice and don’t know that they can be successful. My hope is that by finishing this race and standing with my shoulders back and a smile on my face 26.2 miles later, that at least one person will reframe the question in their mind and ask …. ” why not?”.
These are the reasons why I volunteered to run the TCS New York City Marathon, and I have
never been more proud. - Scott Archer, PGA
