In a matter of days, I'll run a marathon. It boggles the mind. Friends and family have been wonderful in their support and encouragement. We've reached our fundraising goal, so we are now free to focus on the event.
It should be a lot of fun. There are rock & roll bands at every mile, as well as over 40 local cheerleading squads and thousands of spectators.
Those who don't wish to brave the crowds can follow the race online. Each participant’s time will be recorded at the 10k, half marathon, 20-mile mark and Finish for the marathon. Times are available 60 seconds after we cross each split. To view race day Live Results, visit http://www.rnraz.com/ and click the Live Results button on the homepage. You'll need my race number to check my results; my race # is 9597, and Sarah's race # is 9598.
There might even be streaming video. I do know there will be a one-hour local TV show covering the event on Fox 10, immediately following the race at 3 pm Phoenix time. Look for me; I'll be the one in the big hat!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
Core Training
This past week, Sarah and I jogged an easy 16 miles. That's hard to believe. Yes, we got a little sore this time, but 16 miles. Wow. From here, we will be doing all we can to strengthen our core, building the kind of stamina it will take to carry us through an entire marathon. I am so grateful to have a good team of coaches, with a great training program and lots of support. I am also very, very excited about running the marathon with my beautiful daughter Sarah. People talk about how grueling the marathon can be. I'm sure it will be that. But it's also an unforgettable opportunity for the two of us to spend some time together, doing something important.
If you haven't had the time to contribute yet, please consider a donation now. We are racing for a cure. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers drug research and patient support programs that really do make a difference. Click on the links here to show your support, and cheer us on when we travel to Phoenix in January for the big race!
If you haven't had the time to contribute yet, please consider a donation now. We are racing for a cure. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers drug research and patient support programs that really do make a difference. Click on the links here to show your support, and cheer us on when we travel to Phoenix in January for the big race!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Halfway There
We're at the halfway point now. My training has me up to 14 miles this coming weekend, and donations are also at the halfway mark. It is hard to believe, but I'm actually seeing myself as a marathon runner. It is a whole new way of looking at life. People are so supportive, too. Everyone who hears about this project wants to know what they can do to help.
Donations are the key. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsors drug research and patient support that played a major role in Daddy's fight with cancer, and that support continues for thousands of other cancer patients every day.
Drug research costs money, and the sooner we can find new drug combinations and get them into the hands of patients who need them, the better. Lives are literally at stake. I know funding from LLS helped pave the way for the drug Rituxan, and this one drug was a very important one in Daddy's treatment.
A major part of Daddy's fight was his participation in an online patient support group, which I believe was set up through LLS. After his passing, I spent a few hours on his computer, deleting emails, and found a whole bunch from this group. After a while, I got curious and started reading them. He fought Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma for 7 years, and had lots of experience. He shared it. He was strong but honest. I'll never forget one in particular. He responded to a call for help. It appeared to be an email from a much younger man, who said he had a lot of questions, but most of all, he was scared. Daddy's response was amazing. He said, yes, he was scared, too. And angry. His response was kind and gentle, but encouraging, too. It inspired me, and I can only imagine how much it helped the young man who received it. The condolence emails were pretty clear; Daddy's participation in this support group had meant a great deal to a great many people.
It is my understanding that in addion to online support groups, LLS funding provides patient support through an information resource center, educational programs, financial aid programs and access to information about cancer centers across the country. Cancer patients and their families have so many questions, and information is so very, very helpful.
Donate if you can. Every penny counts. Links to the donation page are at the right. Give early and often. For our grandchildren.
Donations are the key. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsors drug research and patient support that played a major role in Daddy's fight with cancer, and that support continues for thousands of other cancer patients every day.
Drug research costs money, and the sooner we can find new drug combinations and get them into the hands of patients who need them, the better. Lives are literally at stake. I know funding from LLS helped pave the way for the drug Rituxan, and this one drug was a very important one in Daddy's treatment.
A major part of Daddy's fight was his participation in an online patient support group, which I believe was set up through LLS. After his passing, I spent a few hours on his computer, deleting emails, and found a whole bunch from this group. After a while, I got curious and started reading them. He fought Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma for 7 years, and had lots of experience. He shared it. He was strong but honest. I'll never forget one in particular. He responded to a call for help. It appeared to be an email from a much younger man, who said he had a lot of questions, but most of all, he was scared. Daddy's response was amazing. He said, yes, he was scared, too. And angry. His response was kind and gentle, but encouraging, too. It inspired me, and I can only imagine how much it helped the young man who received it. The condolence emails were pretty clear; Daddy's participation in this support group had meant a great deal to a great many people.
It is my understanding that in addion to online support groups, LLS funding provides patient support through an information resource center, educational programs, financial aid programs and access to information about cancer centers across the country. Cancer patients and their families have so many questions, and information is so very, very helpful.
Donate if you can. Every penny counts. Links to the donation page are at the right. Give early and often. For our grandchildren.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Milestone
This past Saturday, Sarah and I joined a TNT group run, and ran 9 miles. That means we are a third of the way to our goal! It feels good to be on target in our training program, because our cause is so important. Contributions come with personal notes and letters, and several of our contributors are cancer patients, cancer survivors and families affected by cancer. With your help, we will find a cure. We're running as fast as we can!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Help from Daddy
Every training session is different. As I get to know myself better, I'm learning what I do well, and what needs work. Some things come easy, others are just hard work. I was thinking about Daddy as I ran yesterday, and I stuck out that stubborn Touchstone jaw, just out of habit. A few yards further, and I felt him running with me.
Daddy and I participated in two Walk for Mankind events when I was in school (20 miles), and we always took the stairs when we were on vacation: from the Washington Monument, to the Statue of Liberty, to the cathedral tower in Ulm, Germany. As my running began to slow yesterday on a slight incline, I almost felt him get behind me and push.
This marathon is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their work in patient support and research was a vital part of Daddy's 7-year fight with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He, in turn, connected with others through LLS patient support groups, and encouraged them to keep fighting. He was, and is, my hero.
Becoming a runner
My trainers recommended participation in a small event prior to the big marathon in January. So last Saturday I entered the Race Against Breast Cancer, which ran right through our neighborhood. It was a 5k, which is equal to about 3.4 miles. I needed to walk/run 7 miles on that day, so I decided to do it twice.
Up until this point, I was merely focused on finishing the marathon as a walker, so I registered for the event as a walker. But knowing I would do some jogging, I positioned myself at the start of the race at the front of the walkers. Early on, I picked out a couple of participants as inspiration, to lead me through the event. They didn't know it, but they were major participants in my experience. One was a lady a few years older than me, who did about the same amount of walking and running as I did, but who maintained a considerable lead. The other was a gentleman who was clearly crippled in some way; he maintained an extremely brisk power walk throughout the race. I'd jog ahead of him, and walk until he was way ahead of me, then we'd repeat the process. Eventually, it was a challenge for me just to keep him in my sights. I was determined to catch up. As we neared the finish line, I realized I really didn't want to pass him. His dedication and focus were inspirational, and I only wish I could have found him in the crowd to thank him.
As I started back on the race route for my second turn, I realized I didn't feel like a walker any more. I am a runner. I am in training, and there is some walking in my routine, but I am a runner. As a walker, I usually completed a 3-mile course in about an hour. On Saturday, I finished my second 5k route in 40 minutes. I'm still getting used to it, so I'll say it again. I am a runner. How about that?
Up until this point, I was merely focused on finishing the marathon as a walker, so I registered for the event as a walker. But knowing I would do some jogging, I positioned myself at the start of the race at the front of the walkers. Early on, I picked out a couple of participants as inspiration, to lead me through the event. They didn't know it, but they were major participants in my experience. One was a lady a few years older than me, who did about the same amount of walking and running as I did, but who maintained a considerable lead. The other was a gentleman who was clearly crippled in some way; he maintained an extremely brisk power walk throughout the race. I'd jog ahead of him, and walk until he was way ahead of me, then we'd repeat the process. Eventually, it was a challenge for me just to keep him in my sights. I was determined to catch up. As we neared the finish line, I realized I really didn't want to pass him. His dedication and focus were inspirational, and I only wish I could have found him in the crowd to thank him.
As I started back on the race route for my second turn, I realized I didn't feel like a walker any more. I am a runner. I am in training, and there is some walking in my routine, but I am a runner. As a walker, I usually completed a 3-mile course in about an hour. On Saturday, I finished my second 5k route in 40 minutes. I'm still getting used to it, so I'll say it again. I am a runner. How about that?
Welcome to my marathon training blog!
I am training for a full marathon with my beautiful daughter, Sarah. I never thought I'd call myself a runner. This experience is tranformational. Thanks for joining me on my journey.
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