I struggled and struggled with how to start this post. I have never been a guest blogger before, so I decided where better to start than at the beginning.
When I was a kid I joined track because I wanted my parents
to notice me. I ran 3 miles straight during one of my practices and I
remember that exhilarating feeling of, "Holy crap! I did
that."
Years went by, 6 pregnancies and 6 births went by and I was
at my heaviest weight ever, I was depressed, and I needed to get out of my
house. That is how running began for me. People will say, "ugh I
hate running." The thing is I don't love running. I am
generally a lazy person at heart that is why I chose running. If I was
going to exercise I needed the most bang for my buck. I wanted to burn
the most calories in the shortest amount of time. That meant running.
Everyone thinks I am crazy. If you look at me I am no
fitness buff. I am overweight. I am in contention for world's
slowest runner. All that aside though, if I want something I will finish
it, no matter what that takes. So what I like in physical ability I make
up for in heart.
I knew I would need some support to get through this
marathon so I decided to join the group Team In Training. You might have
seen them running around in purple shirts if you have ever done some of the
longer races. The Team in Training group runs for the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society. I did my research and found that they have a great
score on Charity Navigator, and that the money collected really does go to
research and not just to pad the pockets of CEO's. So I jumped in with
both feet.
It was less than a week later that Brooke asked for prayers
for a family member. Just a few days later she revealed to us that her
young 19 year old cousin had been diagnosed with Lymphoma. My heart sank
for her and for her family. Immediately I thought, "Hey, I should
run my race for Zach." I mentioned it to Brooke and she thought it
sounded great!
I have often thought back to being 19, you've just
discovered that adult freedom and are living some of the best times of your
life. Then I thought about how much different that would be if you were
undergoing treatment and spending all of this time kicking cancer's butt instead
of being able to be a carefree teenager.
So here I am running this crazy race just to say I can.
The race is the easy part though, because I am able to do it. I
have the ability to get up in the morning and put on running shoes and just
start running. Not everyone gets this privilege. On top of
that I get to raise money for a wonderful cause and I know that every dollar
has to potential to make someone else's life easier, by creating more
effective treatments, less invasive treatments, or maybe someday even a cure.
How awesome is it to be able to say that you did that?
You right there sitting in your chair can personally affect the life of
someone else for the better just by clicking a button and donating $1, $2, $10,
or more. THAT IS AWESOME! YOU ARE AWESOME!
With joining the Team in Training group I pledged to raise
$1100. I am 53% of the way there. Every little bit helps. I
would love if you would "run" with Zach and I too by making a
donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. http://pages.teamintraining.org/in/CHNIndi12/alyon
Thanks so much Allyson! I'm sure Zach appreciates your training and fundraising efforts.
Thanks so much Allyson! I'm sure Zach appreciates your training and fundraising efforts.
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