Making Strides

This past Saturday, October 20th, I ran my third timed 5K race. The run was the American Cancer Society's annual Making Strides for Breast Cancer. I set myself a goal of raising $100 for the cause - to improve treatment, fund research, and hopefully find a cure. Having lost a friend and colleague, Elizabeth Fitch, to the disease, I felt a personal connection to this race and thought it would be the perfect way to help others while working toward my fitness goals. I was very right, but the "fit" part soon took a back seat to the helping. I was blown away and humbled by the generosity and support of my family and friends. Together, we raised $325 - more than 3 times my goal. How awesome is that? I was so empowered and proud to run for Elizabeth! It was four weeks between my last race and Making Strides. During that time, I was sick for two weeks and quite overwhelmed with my workload at the office. Unfortunately, hitting the gym or the pavement was compromised for sleep, meetings, or deadlines. I got in a few good runs and walks, and to the gym a few times, but I was nowhere near my 4 times a week routine during the month of October. I knew the race would be a flat course, since it was on the boardwalk in Ocean City, but I definitely felt a little nervous about my muscles being under prepared. While I may have earned a faster time had I trained better, I consider the race to be a victory, as I recorded another personal best (35:08, 11:20 min/mile). More important, though, was the reason I chose the race and the lesson it taught me - again!

The air was filled with hope the morning of the race. Survivors wore pink sashes and gathered at the front of the deejay's stage. There, they posed for pictures as another survivor sang a song of strength and power and an unrelenting will to never give up. I knew none of them, but felt an instant magnetism, pulling me towards their joy in winning. I wept openly, remembering my friend. She fought tirelessly - twice. And though she eventually lost her life, she never lost her light. Elizabeth was inspiring in her passion for her career, her strength to fight, and her faith in God. As I prepared to run on her behalf, I allowed her perserverance and dedication to life serve as a reminder to what a blessing it is to have health. Again, I committed to never again waste my strong and capable body. I'm too fortunate to be a couch potato.

As I ran, I felt Elizabeth with me, as if she were the wings on my back. She helped me reach the finish line and feel in my heart and soul gratitude for the family, friends, health and love in my life. I am proud to continue the battle against breast cancer and will always carry her in my heart. So, I take the motivation from Saturday's run and begin training for the next one. In less than two weeks, I am registered to race another 5K. Look for another post soon. I hope you can keep up, because a healthy body is too precious to waste!