If you have been reading my letters for the last 3 years, you know that not only have I reluctantly become a runner but that I not so triumphantly became a marathon runner. In case you haven’t been reading my letters I reluctantly became a runner and I not so triumphantly became a marathon runner (now you are caught up).
You might be thinking Rick, please not another heart wrenching and tragic story about your sad journey as an overaged runner, and you would be right. I’m mixing in cancer research! So this will be way different and MORE meaningful!
Here is the score: On November 6th I will be running in the New York City Marathon. I ran my first and only other marathon in Chicago. I barely finished, missing my goal by an hour! It took me 3 months to get over my disappointment in myself. At some point I did take a minute to be happy that I am healthy and able to run a marathon (Ok now you are really caught up). In an effort to have a better experience I hired a run coach, a nutritionist, a PT guy and I’m cross training at a group fitness gym 3 times per week. I am determined to reach my goal of completing the race in 4 hours. My friend Adam (who has actually run 50 marathons, literally) says I’m “delusional” thinking that I can do this, but this is only bulletin board material for me.
Here is the other score: I’m honored to be running on “The V Foundation'' team. If you are not familiar, Jim Valvano, while dying from cancer, delivered a very inspirational speech at the ESPY’s where he uttered the now famous words “don’t give up, don’t ever give up”.
This led to Valvano and ESPN to start a foundation to raise money for cancer research. To date that foundation has donated $290,000 towards cancer research. 100% of the donations go directly to cancer research with admin costs being covered by a separate endowment. The number bears out that research is making a difference and that nearly 40% of us will have some form of cancer in our lifetime. For this reason, I’m going to ask you to consider making a donation to my run. In return, my friend Jeremy Forcier (whom many of my readers know) and I will make a matching donation. For every dollar you donate, $3 dollars will go directly to cancer research. The QR code will take you directly to my donation page for your convenience.
I have committed to raise $5,000. Every dollar you feel comfortable donating will make a difference.
Lastly, if you have a cancer story in your life, I want to hear about it. If you or someone you love is a cancer survivor, I want to hear from you. If you have lost someone special to cancer, I want to hear from you. When I’m running on November 6th and I’m pushing through whatever pipsqueak temporary pain I’m going through, I want to be thinking of you and your loved ones.
Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
