"I run for your mother, your sister, your wife"

I run for loved ones

Neither my parents nor my brother and I have had to personally face a cancer diagnosis, and for that I am truly thankful.  But that's not to say that cancer has not closely touched our family.

My Grandma Ruth was the first person I knew that battled cancer.  I remember going to visit her in Missouri the summer before I started 6th grade.  We were blessed to have timed our visit when she was feeling relatively well.  But this was merely the calm before the storm, as about a week later her passing brought us back to send her off to her eternal home.  I honestly don't recall much of what was going on or what I felt, aside from being confused.  I didn't understand what cancer had done to her body and how she could have been there, seemingly better, one moment and then gone so soon.

      Dad and Aunt Becky - I run for your mother

In the years that followed hearing of others' cancer diagnoses and battles was no longer foreign.  It was affecting children and adults in our lives and our community.  My cancer related vocabulary was growing.  Things like tumor, surgery, chemotherapy, hair loss, remission, metastases, survivor, and lost battle became loaded words and phrases associated with a certain amount of intense reality.  And with this knowledge the word "cancer" alone could trigger the what-ifs, the fear, and the hope that all of these terms evoked.

luminarias made by my mom

Days before I began my sophomore year of college a close family friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor and an unexplainable flood of emotion and disbelief struck.  During my last year of PT school, when my godmother was diagnosed with leukemia, the flood hit again.  At each of these times in my life it was unreal to me that these women, who had known me since birth, who had loved and supported me and my family, had to face the relentless wrath of cancer.  A wrath that I now understood but in some ways wish I didn't.  Cancer had come too close and I knew what could be just on the horizon.

Relay For Life, Olmsted 2012

Both Sharon and Myrna were lost too soon, after hard fought battles lasting only months.  I know their spirit lives on in their families and friends.  I am honored and blessed to have known them and cherish the many memories we shared, especially in the last months of their earthly lives.  I have found solace in supporting programs and organizations that are taking a stand against cancer and its effects.  I do so as a tribute to their lives knowing they are with me every step of the way and with the hope that fewer and fewer people will be have to face what these women and their families did.

      
      Amy S. & Matt R. - I run for your mother;  Bob - I run for your wife
      Amy L. & Matt S. - I run for your mother;  Bill - I run for your wife 

I run for Strides Against Breast Cancer

Strides Against Breast Cancer is a walking event held in communities across the country.  It is a program of the American Cancer Society that specifically honors those affected by breast cancer, promotes breast cancer-related screenings and education, and supports research about breast cancer.

A number of Strides events are going on this fall around the country.  Check out the Strides Against Breast Cancer page to find an event near you and learn how to get involved.

To support Strides and other programs of the American Cancer Society, please consider donating via my personal fundraising page and making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.    

"I run for the truth, for all that is real"

I Run for my story

"A good movie has memorable scenes and so does a good life"

"When we look back on our lives, what we will remember are the crazy things we did, the times we worked harder to make a day stand out"
-Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

In Donald Miller's most recent book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, he explores the idea of our lives being like stories, like movies where our experiences are scenes in our lives.  He contends that the same principles that make a movie interesting and exciting make one's life interesting and exciting.

It seems to be that one's story is what is true and what is real in her own life.  Running doesn't make my story, but its part of it.  Running provides challenge, interest, excitement, memorable moments... much of what Donald describes as elements of a good story.  Being part of DetermiNation, training for a race, setting goals, and dedicating it all creates one of my substories.  And running a marathon is definitely a crazy thing that makes a day stand out :-)

Running has really added a lot of special things to my life; from the things I've learned about myself to the people I've met along the way to new cities I've explored on the move.  Here's to more memorable scenes yet to come!

Marathon Substory: Towards the end of the Chicago Marathon I wanted to make a memorable photo by looking excited as I passed the cameras.  Well, I managed to get my arms up but can't say my facial expression reads excitement :-P  But it's still one of my favorite photos from that day.

I Run for the ACS so they can provide the truth about cancer

"Learn About Cancer" is one of the main tabs on the American Cancer Society's homepage.  When clicked it will direct you to a wealth of cancer-specific information meant to help people understand and deal with their cancer diagnosis.

The cancer-specific categories provide information about what the cancer is, how it may be treated, related research and clinical trials, and ways to connect with others who have the same diagnosis.  In addition to the online resources, free informational brochures about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are available to order.  Plus, the ACS has specialists ready to chat with you via a 24-hr hotline (1-800-227-2345) or daytime online live chat.

The topic of cancer breeds a lot of questions and the support of donors and volunteers allows the American Cancer Society to provide answers.  Consider contributing to their efforts via my personal fundraising page.

"I run to feel"

To be worn out is to be renewed. -Lao Tzu

As I start writing this it's not much before 8 am.  And it's a Tuesday.  During the course of my marathon training plan that means I just ran the 2nd longest run of my week and did it pushing and recovering from various paces.

I feel exhausted, and I feel energized.

I suppose you could say running gives me a good feeling (and makes me feel like singing along with Flo Rida)

When I started running pseudo-regularly it was primarily out feeling obligated, definitely not because of a good feeling.  I didn't want to learn about all the muscles that were getting flabby during PT school - as one therapist I shadowed described her time in grad school.  So I ran, but I didn't enjoy it.

But then I ran my first 5k and felt the runner's high.  Then I ran as a way to explore a temporary home during a summer clinical.  Set a goal for another 5k, and hit it.  Started increasing the distances I was running.  Took on a half marathon with the help of an encouraging friend.  And then another half, a 10k, a 10 mile... And just kept going. 

What once felt like an obligation became part of me and my routine, my stress relief, a time to meditate, a vehicle for setting and achieving goals, a commitment to my own health, and a surprising new passion.

Running is a balance, it embodies yin and yang.  It's not necessarily easier than it was when I started but I've developed an appreciation of how the tough and enjoyable aspects balance one another.

I run and push myself when I feel weak so I can feel strong.

I run when I'm tired to I can wake up for the day.

I run in masses of people to run for individual goals.

I run to feel worn out, I run to feel renewed.

I Run for Look Good...Feel Better

Much like Hope Lodge, Look Good...Feel Better is a support program of the American Cancer Society that helps individuals as they are going through cancer treatment.

Look Good...Feel Better partners with volunteer beauty professionals to help women deal with some of the physical side effects of treatment.  Through group and individual sessions or education materials women can learn how to take care of their skin and nails, deal with hair loss that come with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Know someone who could benefit from this program?
Call: 1-800-395-LOOK (1-800-395-5665) 
or visit: www.cancer.org or www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org 

Interested in supporting Look Good...Feel Better and the other ways the American Cancer Society is taking on the fight against cancer?
Consider making a donation via my personal fundraising page

"I run for hope"

When the world says, 'Give up'
Hope whispers, 'Try one more time'
-Unknown

This quote is another thing gleaned from my participation with Relay For Life in college.  Our staff partner, Heather, had it as part of her email signature, and for good reason.

Hope is a theme that radiates out of Relays.  It's the essence of why so many gather to walk overnight and raise money for the ACS.  It provides that extra fuel needed to push forward in the face of uncertainty, fear, and grief.

Joining the DetermiNation team last year was a new way for me to experience that hope in the fight against cancer.  While running the race, I was strengthened by the thought of those I know who have been affected by cancer and I was strengthened by hope.  In a way, my dedications reflect the past and present of cancer as it has touched my life, and hope is the future.

Hope is staying committed to the fight against cancer, year after year, until it's over.

Hope is the thought of a day when no one will have to deal with the challenges my loved ones faced because of cancer.

Hope makes facing difficulties possible.

Hope never gives up. 


I run for HOPE LODGE

The American Cancer Society offers a number of resources and programs to help those facing cancer and their families.  One of them helps make traveling for cancer treatment possible and is aptly named Hope Lodge

Hope Lodge is a place for patients and their families to stay, free of charge, while undergoing treatment at centers away from home.  The 31 Hope Lodges around the country offer a homey environment and additional resources and support for those facing cancer.  Check this out to find out more about what Hope Lodges offer and where you can find them.

We have one right here in Rochester!  In fact, Gordon Severson reported on the Sandra J. Schulze Hope Lodge and other ways ACS funds are being used locally in part of his series of stories that led up to his participation in the Med City Marathon with DetermiNation - Reason to Run, Part 3

Want to help support Hope Lodge and other programs of the American Cancer Society?  Consider making a donation via my personal fundraising page

At the Hope Lodge for race weekend dinner with Med City DetermiNation runners, cancer survivors, and their supporters