A Queen Creek boy living with cerebral palsy and Asperger syndrome isn’t letting anything slow him down. In fact, Caleb Schroeder set a goal to run 1,000 miles by his 12th birthday and Saturday he made it happen.
Dressed like superheroes and ready to run, Caleb lined up on the track at Queen Creek high school surrounded by family and friends.
After running more than three miles, six days a week with his parents, this morning was the start of Caleb’s 1,000th mile.
“I sometimes run on the treadmill, I sometimes run outside with my mom… I sometimes run outside with my dad,” he said.
It’s a goal he started at the beginning of the year, when his dad joined a 1,000 mile in 2018 challenge through an app.
“I just knew I could do it,” said Schroeder.
It took a lot of hard work, dedication and a few hurdles along the way.
“His right foot was so turned out and it would be like clunk,” his mom Dana said.
“But over time I started not tripping,” he said.
He logged every mile and never gave up. You’d never know what he’s been through.
“The true story started when he was born, and he had to go back to the hospital,” his mom said. “He had hydrocephalus and had brain surgery at six weeks old… he’s had like three or four brain surgeries. ”
Despite the tough times, the commitment paid off.
Team Caleb’s Super Hero Dash came a close as he crossed the finish line.
“Yes! I finished this 1,000th mile…and it means so much to me,” he said.
There were cheers and high fives all around. Caleb logged his final run and held his trophy proudly, then thanked those who attended.
“Thanks for cheering me on and running the last mile with me,” he said. “What I did can teach someone, whatever their goals are, they can learn from me and finish their goals.”
“I could not finish the last mile with him, because he wanted to go so fast and I’m like out of breath you know, he’s just done amazing things and his determination is phenomenal,” his mom said.
After everyone left the track, he amazed his parents once again. His mom looked up and noticed Caleb doing another lap around the track.
“Everybody is gone, he just loves running,” his mom said. “Nobody even knew he was doing it… so obviously he is not going to stop at 1,000 miles, he’s on his way to a lot more.”
Caleb is already planning to work on a biking challenge for next year.