One day at a time: Metairie man runs his 365th 10K of 2021
By Harrison Golden
WDSU 6 News
December 31, 2021
NEW ORLEANS — Craig Parten used to teach math at New Orleans' Academy of the Sacred Heart, so here's some math: One 10K run a day for 365 days equals one big lesson in keeping a New Year's resolution.
Parten, who now works in IT, ran his 365th 10K of 2021 Friday morning at City Park. The run bookended a personal challenge that survived hot suns, hurricanes and bloody toes. And it was all to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
"It was actually at lot easier than I thought it would be," said Parten, whose late mother taught special education. "In the beginning, I pitched the idea to a couple of people. They said that's nuts. So that's what made me think — maybe it's worth trying."
Parten has raised more than $10,000, as of Dec. 31, and he is still taking donations. Proceeds will cover travel expenses, so more than 50 Louisiana athletes can compete in the 2022 Special Olympics U.S.A. Games in Orlando this June.
"Our athletes are out there everyday training," Special Olympics Louisiana spokesperson Craig Oser said. "To see someone like Craig train everyday alongside our athletes, it's wonderful to see."
Several upcoming Olympians joined Parten as made his final turn, near the Cafe Du Monde stand. Together they crossed an American-flag draped finish line at the City Park Peristyle.
"When I first heard what he was doing this year, I was like, 'What? Why would anybody want to do that?'" said Rebecca Hulse, a Metairie native who will compete in track and field at the games. "I think what he did was pretty cool."
"That's a hard thing to do," said Andrew Bourgeois, a bowler from Metairie who will compete at the games.
"I'm just very excited for next year," bocce competitor Brandon MacKenoth said. "I think this run was cool."
Parten, as he wiped sweat from his face and caught his breath, returned the athletes' praise.
"That's the way competition should be," he said. "You should be pushing yourself to do your best, but you also need to take joy in the accomplishments of others.
"That's what I think is so cool about Special Olympics athletes. They understand it. They do it the right way."
Parten plans to start 2022 by resting his legs.
"I really have no idea what I'm going to do tomorrow," he said. "Probably sleep."
(This story first appeared on WDSU. Click here to read the original post.)
By Harrison Golden
WDSU 6 News
December 31, 2021
NEW ORLEANS — Craig Parten used to teach math at New Orleans' Academy of the Sacred Heart, so here's some math: One 10K run a day for 365 days equals one big lesson in keeping a New Year's resolution.
Parten, who now works in IT, ran his 365th 10K of 2021 Friday morning at City Park. The run bookended a personal challenge that survived hot suns, hurricanes and bloody toes. And it was all to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
"It was actually at lot easier than I thought it would be," said Parten, whose late mother taught special education. "In the beginning, I pitched the idea to a couple of people. They said that's nuts. So that's what made me think — maybe it's worth trying."
Parten has raised more than $10,000, as of Dec. 31, and he is still taking donations. Proceeds will cover travel expenses, so more than 50 Louisiana athletes can compete in the 2022 Special Olympics U.S.A. Games in Orlando this June.
"Our athletes are out there everyday training," Special Olympics Louisiana spokesperson Craig Oser said. "To see someone like Craig train everyday alongside our athletes, it's wonderful to see."
Several upcoming Olympians joined Parten as made his final turn, near the Cafe Du Monde stand. Together they crossed an American-flag draped finish line at the City Park Peristyle.
"When I first heard what he was doing this year, I was like, 'What? Why would anybody want to do that?'" said Rebecca Hulse, a Metairie native who will compete in track and field at the games. "I think what he did was pretty cool."
"That's a hard thing to do," said Andrew Bourgeois, a bowler from Metairie who will compete at the games.
"I'm just very excited for next year," bocce competitor Brandon MacKenoth said. "I think this run was cool."
Parten, as he wiped sweat from his face and caught his breath, returned the athletes' praise.
"That's the way competition should be," he said. "You should be pushing yourself to do your best, but you also need to take joy in the accomplishments of others.
"That's what I think is so cool about Special Olympics athletes. They understand it. They do it the right way."
Parten plans to start 2022 by resting his legs.
"I really have no idea what I'm going to do tomorrow," he said. "Probably sleep."
(This story first appeared on WDSU. Click here to read the original post.)