This morning started out simple enough. Yes, it is Mother's Day, but yesterday was Johnny's day with JD, so I knew I had some time this morning before JD got here. I got up, checked the food level in Cheese and Crackers' dish, poured a drink, and sat down to check in on what was happening with everyone on Facebook. I read all the status updates about mothers, even a couple about my mother. As it is, today is also the 11th anniversary of the day my mother passed away. I was determined to count all my blessings.
A short while after logging in, a post showed up on my wall. A post that would change my day.
It was a harmless enough looking post. It was put on there from a friend who is determined to raise money for cancer research. You see, her husband has been diagnosed with cancer and she decided to run a half marathon in November to honor him and raise money. No problem. I almost immediately chimed in with the response that she would get my financial support. You see - her husband has a special place in my heart. I won't go into the details, as his story is not mine to tell, but suffice to say that I have no problem admitting my love for both of them.
Just a short time after responding with my financial support, I found myself hitting send on a rather shocking post to her wall. I found myself telling her that I would train with her. I would train and run the half marathon in November. WHAT? No, seriously....WHAT? Do y'all know how unathletic I am? Y'all do realize I was the drum major in the band in high school - that does not equal athlete. Yes, I've done some 5ks, and yes, I get on my treadmill, but this is a different level. This is a committment to run for over 2 hours.
Actually, it is more than that. It is a committment to dedicate myself to an incredible journey. It is a committment to stand (or maybe fall out) at the finish line one day in November, and hug them, and know that without a doubt, I am supporting them in a way that is beyond my comfort zone. It is beyond something I could have even imagined saying I would do yesterday....or even 5 minutes before I spoke up and volunteered to do it. It is me - going beyond what I am currently physically capable of - pushing myself towards the mark.
It is for my friend, as we believe in a cure. It is for my friend, Nan, who four years ago this month lost her 3rd and final battle with cancer. It's for all the people who crossed my path when I worked in radiation oncology. It is for the dads, sons, mothers, and daughters who have lost their fight - the ones that are still fighting and standing strong - and the ones of us, who while we have never heard that diagnoses for ourselves, we are angry at having to hear that for even one more person. We do not accept that cancer will take another person we love.
So, tonight, I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up the book "The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide For Women", and tomorrow I will start putting one foot in front of the other. I will not think about completing 13.1 miles. I will think about completing the next step. I will think of my friend and his amazing wife. And one day in November, I will show up a stronger person.
I will press towards the goal. Oh, and I'm sure I'll blog about it along the way. Are y'all ready? Break out those running shoes...it's time to get my run on.
