World Cancer Day (Why I Run)
Today is World Cancer Day and you may have noticed people’s Facebook and Twitter profiles turning purple. It’s to show their support in the fight against cancer. I have been wanting to write about “why I run” like I mentioned I would over a year ago, but it’s taken me a long time to find the time to share the story. I think today is perfect. Please continue reading....
I didn’t grow up a runner, in fact, I hated running. It was a punishment during sports practices when we made a mistake or did something wrong. I did everything I could to make sure I wouldn’t end up running suicides or jogging around the court or field. I did attempt to like it on several occasions as I got older, but when I was gasping for air and felt like I had no control over my body, and some in-shape twig pranced by me like they were out for an easy stroll...It frustrated me. I was an athlete, but I did not run.
It was in 2004, that my family got word that my little cousin Alex was diagnosed with a brain tumor. To this day, I still can’t even imagine what it’s like to hear those words and have to process it and then go about life without worrying about every little thing. I was working late one night for Beverly Hospital in Danvers, MA when I talked to my sister on the phone about the news and how we just couldn’t believe it. It was hard to comprehend how something like that could happen. Our Mother was a breast cancer survivor, our Grandfather was a multiple prostate cancer survivor, and our Aunt was a breast cancer survivor. Now this? To someone so young?
After we hung up, I can still remember sitting on the Airdyne bicycle that I used with cardiac rehab patients during the day. I pedaled and thought to myself how it wasn’t fair. All I wanted to do was help, but what could I do? I didn’t have anything to offer....all I did everyday was work and exercise. So I got to thinking....I had read about races that raised money for places like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which was actually where my cousin was going to be a patient. I figured, if I was going to exercise anyway and I want to help out, why not put my workouts to good use. I did some research and got all excited about running the Boston Marathon for charity. And I could support a specific patient throughout my training if I wanted to.
So I applied and wrote my story about how cancer effected my family’s lives one too many times. It was time to do something about it. Submitted, entered, done. And then I realized what I did...shit. I better start running on the chance they pick me! I started running two to three miles a few times a week. It was slow and I dreaded it, but it got easier each time and it did make me feel good. By “feel good” I mean, when it was over. :-)
My first long run came as an accident. I was living in Watertown and it was the 4th of July. I was going to Maine for the day to visit my sister’s camp after I got a quick run in. I decided to run to the Charles and turn around to come right back. Well....I didn’t quite understand the bridges and connections there yet. So my quick run turned into an 8-mile run in an attempt to find my way home. Even though it was an accident, it made me realize that I could do this! And I started to increase mileage a little bit here and there.
I found out on November 3, 2004 that I was selected out of hundreds of applicants to run for Dana-Farber in the 2005 Boston Marathon. I was so excited to be part of something so great! I went to my Aunt’s house one night after work and we sat down at their dining room table. I told them I had some news and explained what I signed up for and how I was running in honor of Alex. We laughed, we cried, we hugged, and then we got to work! Letters went out, phone calls were made, I ran, people prayed, and Alex fought.
Together, we raised $8,219.00 for cancer research at Dana-Farber!!! I finished the marathon on April 18, 2005, Alex finished his last treatment that week and was waiting for me at mile 25 along with the rest of our family. Emotional doesn’t even begin to describe it. My Grandfather lost his battle to cancer 8 days before the race. Like I said, emotional doesn’t. even. begin.
I think back to that whole year and what a great experience it was. Through running, I wanted to show strength for other people. It helped me cope with sadness of seeing what people go through during their fight with cancer. It actually makes you realize that running 18 miles on a Saturday is NOTHING compared to cancer treatment. It’s a mental and physical journey.
I’m sharing this story with you on World Cancer Day. Exactly ten years and one day after my family got the dreaded diagnosis about my cousin. Exactly ten years and one day later....Alex is going strong! My mom and my aunt are strong survivors! And yes....I’m still running. :-)