You need to read this.

Sidesteal

I wanted to share this with you because I found it moving even though it was just someone talking to his friends. Posting with his permission, this is Ed Davenport's wall post from a couple days ago. Ed, thanks for posting this. You are an inspiration.


Ok folks!! I had the Biggest NSV to date!!! Today was my first 5k of the year, I had that knee clean out a few months back and that has taken forever to come back from. The Bone on Bone pain in both knee's most days would be enough to make me crawl up in a chair and say I give up but that is not how I roll these days.. It just pisses me off and makes me push twice as hard..

I was thinking last night about the meaning of July 4th (Independence Day) and got to thinking about all my fellow veterans that served, those still serving and those that gave there lives so that we all can live with the freedoms most of us take for granted everyday... I decided this morning I was going to push myself harder (In honor of them) than I have ever push myself in a workout.. You all know me by now, I put myself through some killer workouts.. I have made some feeble attempts at running on my outside walks lately, between my knee's and this excess skin (sorry if TMI) it is very difficult but I am trying.. So this morning when the cannon (yes cannon started the race, so cool!!) went off I set my pace and pushed myself from light to light (5k was through town) I ran from one light to the other, then walked for another and so on and so forth. That voice in my head fighting me the whole way, telling me to stop, you can't, your legs hurt to much, etc, etc... but I ignored it and pushed on.. I got friends waking up in 3 world countries spending the entire day in full fatigues carrying a 70lb. ruck sack and an M16 in 120 plus degree heat and I want to complain I have it rough on my little run/walk.. NOT!! So I continued to break the race down by land marks and whatnot... Run to here, walk to here and before I knew it I rounded the hill and seen the finish line.. Legs burning, heart racing, literally on my last leg I crossed the finish line.. I have timed my walks in the past and the best I ever did ever was a few weeks back on a solo walk of 8 miles... I avg. 16 minutes 23 seconds a mile... As I crossed the finish line and stopped my GPS and looked at the time....... 42:10!!!!! I just cut my time down to 13 minutes 22 seconds a mile average!!! damn near 3 minutes a mile faster than my personal best... In pain and ready to sit, I was so elated!!! Just how far have I come in just 3 years..

I remember after being trapped inside my house for over 2 years that I had walked in my house from one wall to the other and had done this for a couple weeks and decide to try to walk out of the house.

I set a goal of 50 feet , yes you read that right 50 feet!!! and I left the porch, walked to the culvert and turned around and remember FREAKING OUT when I seen how far that front door looked away and started panicking that I could not make it back. I remember wanting to sit down but back then at 560 lbs. if I sat down I would be unable to get back up so I cried and balled my way back to the door and collasped in the front door so scared but so happy of my small achievement and today as I stood there 310 pounds lighter, 20 days away from the biggest surgery of my life, reflecting back on just how far I have come, I couldn't help but cry (thank god for dark shades lol) but yet feel so proud at just how far I have come.


This journey has been anything short of easy but so worth everything that I have been through and I would do it all again in a heartbeat... Believe in yourself, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and take it one day at a time... do everything each and everyday to be as successful as you possible can and go to bed with no regrets, then get up and do it again tomorrow that is the way I live each and everyday of my life... One day at a time... God Bless those serving around the world today and those that served and those that never made it back home.. Mad respects for you all.... Hugs!!!! (Sorry lil long lol, you know me.....)

-Ed Davenport.

tajmel

That's beautiful, and so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

ichellebereel

Awesome. Congrats are truly in order.

Rae6503

I've see Ed around. He truly is awesome.

Rachaelluvszipped

Thanks, just love this!!:flowerforyou:

toysbigkid

brought me to tears...that's some willpower!!!!!

Merrysix

I needed this tonight. Thanks!

Sarauk2sf

Ed is truly an amazing man.

wjranch

Inspiration and Motivation!! Thanks for the re-post and reinforcing my drive (y)

Ed... I don't know you, but, I am so proud of you... don't ever quit, don't ever stop, don't ever give up.... for these are the only ways you can truly fail yourself.

Your success is Awesome!!

kallisto208

Inspirational and totally awesome!

icey_pink

Thank you for sharing your incredible and amazing journey! VERY inspiring, you are awesome!

mamamudbug

This brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations Ed!!!

MB_Positif

Really inspiring story! Thanks for sharing and GO ED!!!

BrettPGH

I can't think of anyone who's accomplished as much. Talk about getting your life back.

taso42

i almost cried reading this.



ok, not almost.



this is what inspiration is and what inspiration does.

_Kitten_Kate

Truly Awesome!!

jeannelawrie

Wow! Truly inspiring!!!!

NAcetoLang

Amazing and inspiring. Wow! Thank you so much for "re" sharing this. I am sincerely grateful.

Tropical_Turtle

I needed this tonight thank you for sharing Ed's story with us. AMAZING is a word to describe Ed for sure. Thank you!!!!

readyforthejourney

Thank you so much for sharing....your friends journey and your friend are truly incredible. Brought tears to my eyes and motivation to my steps. Wow I am truly blown away! -from a very proud stranger ...all the best and may you be blessed with outstanding health and encouragement!

dinosnopro

This is what it's all about. He is truly amazing. Proof that with drive and determination, anyone can do anything.

Cliffslosinit

Thanks doesn't seem to be enough for the amount of inspiration his story gives me.
Thank you Ed

onedayillbeamilf

Wow. That was beautiful!

Krys_140

Thanks for sharing this.

Ed - that is an incredible story of will, determination, guts - and glory! Thank you for serving our country, and for serving as an inspiration.

Bonita_Lynne_58

I don't know Ed....reading his story makes me sorry I don't. What an amazing accomplishment...and how generous to share that story with us.

Congratulations Ed!

Prahasaurus

Thanks for sharing. Puts my issues into perspective.

--P

crisanderson27

Absolutely freaking amazing.

I was telling a friend tonight (she has been upset over a lot of things the last few days, and has been doubting her own strength, which is phenomenal)...that true emotional strength isn't a gauge of how easily you can do something, but rather a gauge of the things you are capable of doing when you have to...or when the other options are simply no longer (or never were) acceptable to you.

This story is a true reflection of that kind of strength.

Daisy_Cutter

Wow, this story is incredible. A true glimpse of human spirit!

allie7383

Wow that was absolutely one of the most inspiring things I think I've read. I so needed something like this. Thank you so much for sharing!

kaatielove

Ed is such an inspiration!! Thanks for this

doorki

Wow. Awesome and absolutely amazing.