COMMUNITY: Giving, receiving on road of life

Editor's note: Daren Schumaker of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Lee of Walford are attempting to run across Iowa's 99 counties to raise money for the American Heart Association. They have completed 55 counties. This is No. 54. Next: Taylor.

By Daren Schumaker, community contributor

What's in a name?

To some, a name honors a generation or the carrying on a tradition. In January 1851, Buena Vista County was formed and named to honor the Battle of Buena Vista, which was the final victory field of Major General Zachary Taylor in the Mexican-American War.

This month, a mere 167 years after the conclusion of its namesake battle, we took our own battle for survival to the beauty of northwest Iowa. After leaving Cedar Rapids well before dawn, we found ourselves on the eastern border of Buena Vista County at 9:15 a.m. We parked and waited. A few minutes later our ride arrived to shuttle us westward toward our start. After stopping to pose for a few photos, we soon found ourselves alone on the western border of Buena Vista County.

Team 99 Counties had no support crew.

We started as if we had been shot out of one of the cannons used in the Mexican-American War, running the first five miles as if we were running from a real battle. Before long we settled into a more reasonable pace and covered about seven miles of rolling hills before we entered Storm Lake, which is named for the body of water in which a trapper allegedly survived a severe thunderstorm many moons ago. We enjoyed a great vista of Storm Lake as we ran a trail on the water's edge and passed through the campus of Buena Vista University.

As we crossed Highway 71, we embarked on what proved to be a difficult 13-mile stretch of excessively flat land. At times, we literally ran for more than 30 minutes to reach a point on the horizon that initially appeared to be less than a mile away. With no support, we relied on ourselves. We navigated the terrain and spent 3:49:55 running 27.75 miles across Buena Vista County.

So, what is in a name? In Spanish, Buena Vista literally means 'good sight” or 'good view.” We often discuss how important it is to help others reach their goals and to accept help from others when reaching for your own goals. Buena Vista County reminded us that no matter how much help you give or receive, we're ultimately responsible for ourselves. There comes a point at which we need to take ownership and become self-sufficient and motivate ourselves to take our own health and fitness seriously.

A name is a great way to instill honor and tradition, but if you truly want your legacy to live on and to witness as many of the 'buena vistas” this world has to offer us, you will eventually need to fight your own battle.

Before long the points on the horizon you once thought were years away will be at your feet. We will each have to fight many battles between now and then. At times you'll have help, and at times you'll fend for yourself. However, you will never be totally alone. We will be here to help.

We hope you find motivation and inspiration in our words. If you were to ask Major General Zachary Taylor for advice, he would more than likely shout, 'double-shot your guns and give 'em hell.” Instead, we will simply remind you to give it all you have so you might get all that you've given. Honor your own traditions. Life isn't a track meet; it's a marathon.

Inspiration through perspiration. Become active or make a donation to Team 99 Counties or the American Heart Association to help fight heart disease.

l Team 99 Counties has raised about $3,500 for the American Heart Association. The goals is $25,000, $250 per county.