Inaugural 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

My loved ones,

Try as I might to formulate and articulate my experience at the Inaugural 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer, I can't seem to find the words. It was a fabulous event. Donna Hicken Deegan - two time breast cancer survivor - and her foundation have come up with a terrific marathon/half marathon. I NEVER thought I would run a full marathon, now here I have done two within five weeks of each other. Remember the stupid pills I talked about back in October - well I kept taking them right up until that morning. I kept up hope that they would carry me through to the finish line.

I thought it would be just as easy to talk about this run as it was to take you all the way through Disney - twice. But, for what ever reason, I am having a really, really hard time writing about it. I can talk about it all day long: the sea of pink, the route, the flat calm of the beach, the crowds of nearly 8,000 runners, the cheering spectators and their signs, the neighborhood kids with Freezer Pops and orange slices, the most welcome sprinklers, the bands, the Runners' Village, the beautiful stained-glass medals, and of course my GodFriend Steve (below with me during the beach portion of the run)

paced me from mile 19 or so until the finish line. But, when I get right down to it, the written words just don't come like I think they should. I'm sorry. I so want to share it with all of you, truly I do. Perhaps in time the words will come. Maybe it is because I said I'd NEVER do one; maybe it's because this cause is so very personal to me; maybe it's because this was the first time I put my feet to the pavement without "my peeps". Who knows? I am putting in my journal of questions to God - I have a growing list.

I did finish. I finished in what I consider a pretty respectable time (4:24:31 and 347th overall). I am happy with it. Maybe next time it will be better. Maybe next time I won't care. Maybe next time the run will be because there is a cure and not a cause. I think maybe I'll "streak" this event. Meaning that I will run it as long as it exists and I am able to do it. I may eventually have to back off to the Half marathon. But, if I run only one full marathon a year, I think it will be this one. I can't think of a better cause or reason to do it. I think it keeps me close and grounded to the real reason I run.

26.2 is a long way to go no matter what anyone ever tells you. It was doable, but only because I had so many of you carrying me along the way. Doable only because I know what you have endured to get through the trials and tribulations of being a victim of breast cancer (personally or via a loved one). As I look at the ugliest five toes on the planet I remind myself that they will heal, and the toe nails will grow back, and they might resemble "pretty" sometime in the future. I put new band aids on periodically and wonder how this one time I got the blisters to beat all other blisters - and in the same place on both feet. I NEVER blister (do you see a trend...?). Maybe the sand? Maybe the heat? Maybe running through too many sprinklers because I was too hot? Who knows? But, this I do know: I am sure that I got those blisters to keep me real and grounded. To remind me once I was finished that the run was not for me, it was for someone else - mostly for you.

All my love and admiration for what you have endured - it makes 26.2 seem "not so bad afterall." I'll do it again. I NEVER thought I would say that either, but I will if only once a year for many years to come.

Twenty Years of Team in Training

How would you like to receive free professional training for nearly half a year? What if you can do this while raising money for cancer research? Thanks to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org/), this is possible.

For twenty years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have organized "Team In Training." This program has changed lives, lead to marriages, helped individuals achieve personal goals and, most of all, raised over $800 Million Dollars for cancer research. Bringing together diverse individuals, "Team In Training" helps you prepare for a full marathon (run or walk), a 100-mile century bike ride, or a triathlon, all with the help of professional coaches. With the ultimate goal of raising money for blood cancer research, this program has had over 340,000 participants since its start in 1988. For the 2008 season, it is even easier to join. Simply attend a local meeting, sign up and be prepared to change the lives of many. Saving lives one mile at a time, this program culminates in a June 2008 event in California.

To find out more about this program watch the video below, and then visit http://www.teamintraining.org/

Dropping Time in Tallahassee

Not many people think of Tallahassee and say, "Hmmm, I think I'd like to spend some time there." Well, I don't mean "spend time" when I speak of "dropping time." I mean it in an athletic and competitive sort of way.

This weekend, the first weekend of February, is traditionally the weekend of the Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon, the opening weekend of FSU Baseball season, and the weekend that the Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club (ATAC) holds its three-day Winter Short Course Invitation Meet. Not-to-mention, FSU basketball is going on just down the street near down town. A person can pick and choose from a nearly complete spectrum of sporting events. Wow!

Friday, Colin swam a personal best time in the 500 Yard Freestyle event "dropping" 4 seconds off his previous best time to come in at a 6:07. Saturday saw even better times for him with Colin swimming "fast" enough in the Preliminary rounds to make the Timed Finals that evening in the 200 Yard Freestyle and the 200 Backstroke (thus placing in the top 16 for each event).

Sunday morning, under crystal clear skies and in about 50 or so degree weather the Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon started on time at 7:30 a.m. At 9:28:59 I came into the finish area for a personal best time of 1:58:59 in the Half Marathon Distance. While not fast by any one else's standards, it was "screaming fast" for me and I had "dropped" nearly 13 minutes from my previous best of 2:12:59 in October.

I don't look like I'm having much fun in the photo. And, truthfully, I don't think I look like I am even running. And, I suppose at my pace, technically I am jogging. But, I did have a good run. It was hard toward the end, but I felt fine afterwards albeit VERY HUNGRY!

When I got to the pool, Colin reported that he had also "dropped" more time. In his 100 Yard Butterfly he had dropped about 3 seconds to place in the top 16 for the event. Later that morning he would also drop his 50 Yard Freestyle from 29.21 to 28.93, and breaking through another milestone - the 29 Second Free! Yippee! And, finally that morning, Colin swam the 1650 Yard Freestyle event, referred to by swimmers as "The Mile." He "dropped" 28 seconds in this event.

So, I highly recommend the First Weekend in February in Tallahassee! It is definitely a place to try and "drop some time." Put it on your calendar for next year. We'll all be here, hopefully dropping some more time!