Running for a Purpose!
The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.
Thank you taking the time to visit this page, and I hope you will consider sponsoring me for this marathon that I have been training for since the start of the year.
One of the reasons I decided to run for this particular cause came as the result of learning that the mom of one of my student's was diagnosed with Leukemia last summer. This fall, I had another student whose mom lost her battle with cancer. Both of these situations reminded me of my own mother, who battled cancer throughout my high school years and died almost 20 years ago at age 47.
Since committing to the marathon and putting out there the cause I am running for, I have come to learn how many people I know that have had cancer--and specifically Leukemia or Lymphoma-- impact their family. These are definitely scary diseases, and seem not to discriminate who might be diagnosed--young, old, male, female, white, black, etc.
Sad as it can be, it's also been both moving and inspiring to hear heroic stories from friends who have shared how amazing it was to watch the courageous way in which a loved one faced the unknowns of a fight with cancer. It certainly makes one look at life differently and serves as a reminder about what truly matters.
As for my training, winter appears to finally be relinquishing its hold, and it's been nice to see longer stretches of daylight. I am getting outside to do my training runs three or four nights a week--sometimes not until 10:00pm following a long day at school (Lehman Alternative Community School, home of the mighty Blue Ox!). Each week I am adding more and more miles, and am currently up to running distances of about 18-20 miles every Sunday morning. I took part in a half-marathon, The Skunk Cabbage Classic, held here in Ithaca on April 6th and it was a great experience--I learned how important it is to run smart. Still, my eyes are on the prize--the full Rock n' Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 1st (26.2 blissful miles).
Everyone involved with Team In Training has pledged to raise funds to support cancer research, specifically leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. Above, I shared that some of my students and their families have been forced to face the realities of cancer through their moms' diagnoses, I am dedicating my training and marathon race in the honor of these students, their moms and their families. I encourage you to make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission. Whatever the amount, your support will help me reach (or exceed) my fundraising goal of $5,000, and together you will be helping not only me to compete in the race, but ultimately you are helping cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
Thanks for your support!
