TRAVERSE CITY -- Ask Pat Erway about his motorcycle accident in North Carolina and he'll quickly roll off a date.
September 6, 2005.
That's the day the Williamsburg resident suffered a traumatic head injury. That's the day his life changed completely.
Nearly three years later, another day may stand out in Erway's mind.
July 12, 2008.
That's the day the 33-year-old took a major step toward getting back to the life he once knew.
That day, Erway competed in the Festival of Races 5K as part the final day festivities of National Cherry Festival. It was the first race for Erway in three years.
Not bad, considering he couldn't walk two years ago.
"They all thought I was going to die," Erway said. "I kind of beat the medical stuff from the beginning. I'm proving them all wrong, just like I did with the 5K."
Using a cane for balance, it took Erway more than two hours to make his way around the 3.1-mile course Saturday. The time mattered little, as crossing the finish line was an accomplishment itself.
"I feel closer to getting back to my normal self," Erway said. "This made my summer. I feel better, not that I was ever depressed, but I feel the best I've felt all summer and overall the happiest I've been in months."
It wasn't that long ago that Erway was running near the front of the pack at the Festival of Races. In 2005, he completed the 15K in 1:07:34. It was good enough for 11th in his 30-34 age bracket.
"I was a big runner," Erway said. "I like the athleticism of if and just the overall fitness and health. I ran (the Bayshore) marathon in 2002 and my plan was to do another. I guess that's still my plan."
The plan got sidetracked in September 2005 when Erway -- then a detective for the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department -- and his fiance Allie Menzel were thrown from his Harley-Davidson while on vacation in North Carolina. Menzel banged up her left leg while Erway suffered critical head injuries.
"They didn't think he'd survive," Menzel said. "But he's the kind of person that if his physical trainer says do 10 pushups, he says, 'No, let's do 20.'"
For nearly three years, Erway has been working to get back. He's been in rehab and worked with trainers and speech therapists. Recently, he's been doing his own workouts at home and using an e-stimulator that gives him electrotherapy.
"That helps me consistently have better workouts for my strength and coordination," Erway said.
Two years ago, Erway took his first steps out of a wheelchair with the assistance of therapists and a cane. He walked without the cane for the first time only 20 months ago.
And last week, he trekked 5 kilometers through downtown Traverse City.
"At the beginning I was a little nervous," Erway said of the 5K. "My whole body was stiff because of the nerves. About a quarter of the way through, I started to loosen up and my stride got better. I was getting more fluid."
One step at a time, Erway made his way through the course, holding a cane in his right hand for balance. And taking every step with him was his brother Mike, Menzel and her brother Sven.
"It was pretty emotional," Menzel said. "I was excited on so many levels. I could see the huge sense of accomplishment in him."
Erway said his entourage gave him encouragement the entire time.
"Sven, he nearly walked the whole thing backwards, talking me through it," Erway said. "It was just phenomenal. They were friendly company and gave positive motivation to try to build my confidence."
There was also a lot of determination behind every step Erway took.
"There was no quitting, no stopping, nothing," he said. "My dad asked me if I wanted him to meet me halfway (with a vehicle), just in case. I said, 'No way. No ride.'"
He didn't need it.
With the first race under his belt, Erway is looking to do it again soon. And, he's working hard for July 11, 2009. That's the day he hopes to run -- yes, run -- the 15K during the Festival of Races.
"If I'm not ready to run the 15K next July, I'll run or walk the 5K," Erway said. "But I really feel I'll be ready to run. You've got to have confidence in faith.
"I'm dumping the cane real soon. In my mind, the first step to running is dumping the cane."
And in the meantime, Erway might also look to get back to other aspect of his previous life. A former detective specializing in child abuse, giving back to the community was a big part of Erway's life as a public servant.
"The biggest missing part is working with families and youth," Erway said. "I would like to be a motivational speaker and at some point write a story book of my accident and rehab. I'll use this as a tool for giving back to the people. I need to get back to helping people."
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