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!

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?

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.