A Strong Memory... David Torrence

I don't know where to begin. This entire past week and a half I found myself obsessively checking news headlines, wondering to see if there was a cause of death discovered yet; in the back of my mind, I'm still hoping that it's not true. You're gone. 

It's surreal. There is no reset button. No rewind to go back to our last practice together where I can say something to keep whatever happened to you from happening. Like somehow, I have an ability to prevent what the universe or God has planned. All I know is that who you were as a person has affected me as strongly as I'm sure it has others. 

As your memory has resounded and reverberated throughout the running community with common adjectives such as "great", "fearless",  and "passionate"; one can only ask the omnipotent unknown "why him?" Whatever the reason, maybe we all will find out when each of our times has come to pass. 

To recount and add to the already prevailing words throughout social media and news outlets used to describe your entirety by friends and peers: you were a force, a role model, an inspiration to those that already inspired and an impossible person grounded by your humility. Your work ethic gave those around you the courage to attempt, strive and push past that inner negative voice. Your enthusiasm imbued to others from afar. And your memory will forever be an indissoluble and inexpungable impression in my mind and the minds of many. 

Torrence aka "Baby Wolverine", I hope that you have found peace and that you are still that vibrant, lively individual, brightening up the other spirits in the afterlife. I also hope and can bet that you're still running laps around a track you have found and all the other spirits are onlooking like "... I wonder how many more laps he's going to do before he's tired?" Something like some of us was thinking or stating at ALTIS watching you run between reps. And another spirit responds like "you know we don't really have fatigue up here in the afterlife?" Stated a very matter of factly. Continuing "he might just be at this for a while..."

Whatever you are up to, save a spot for me, bro! We only got to know each other for a little less than a year and train. Nonetheless, you will still be truly missed, by me, the rest of the world, the running community and of course your family!

P.S. Some people might not know but you're "Baby Wolverine" to me because how quickly you recovered between sets. ;)

Forever Carry The Shield

"Fly Over The Earth"

Love Love,

David Andrew Berry

David Torrence