But why in the world am I trying to accomplish a marathon? Good question! Here are some reasons:
1. It's time to give Samantha a good example for her life. I'm significantly overweight, and that's not something that Samantha needs. I want her to be like Ronnie, or Cris, and be an athletic girl so that she can help maintain her health. My dream someday would be for my daughter to go running with me. That would be super cool.
2. I need to be healthy for me. I'd be lying if I didn't report to you that I desperately need to get in better shape. Since I turned 30, my body has been slower to react to my efforts at exercise. I know I'm still young, which bothers me even more. I used to run long distance in high school track...what happened? It's time to fix this.
3. My Navy career compels me. A fitter me has an easier chance of passing all future physical readiness tests. Bottom line: If I keep passing, then I keep my career going in the right direction. I've failed before, and it's not fun.
4. I want to expand Team Sam's reach. For two years, all we've done is Great Strides, and I'm not bashful about that fact in the slightest. However, 2010 is the year to start expanding that a little. So I'll start with this half marathon. I can raise money and help get the word out about our team.
Speaking of which...here's a big surprise: I'm not running for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I know...big surprise! The reality is that I didn't have a choice. When I was signing up originally, CFF had a slot or two, but by the time I had filled out my personal information, that slots were GONE! The simple fact is that CFF is so well known and respected that slots go quickly.
So for my first half marathon I will be running on behalf of Lifesharing, and organization that helps sign people up for organ donation and facilitates the transplant process, including running an organ bank. Anyone who helps CFers with transplant issues is a friend of mine, so I will be running for them.
More details will be forthcoming, but I wanted to get the word out. This is a big step for me and Alicia (my biggest fan and supporter!), so any thoughts or advice is much appreciated! Thanks!
Posts
5 comments:
Wow! What a coincidence! Just this week I was looking into marathons.
I turn 35 in less than a month and really need this year to be about getting healthier. 4 babies in the last 6+ years has done a number on my stamina and weight. Added to that is my rheumatoid arthritis (NOT your Grandma's arthritis but a systemic immune disease.) Every extra pound I carry is just more work and potential damage for my joints.
The Arthritis Foundation has a marathon program called "Joints in Motion" that I was looking at. I think the training help would be great but I'm not sure I want to raise funds for them.
I had actually looked at the CF Foundation website to see if they had anything similar but I know so little about them I didn't know where to look.
I can't do a marathon this year - I need a lot longer than 2 months to get into shape. But I'm considering it as a goal for next year.
So, here's a question - how did you find out about signing up for these organizations? Do they have virtual or local training programs? What's your plan? :)
Stephanie, I can tell you one thing for sure and that is the fact that you'll feel immediately 100% accomplished just for joining the event! I already feel more motivated. In the past, I have always had a goal of running one, but figured I had to wait until I was perfectly ready. Well, that day never came. It will by January! I'm not going to be embarrassed by not showing up. Anyway, I commend you for thinking through it.
I found out about this because my initial goal was just to find a half-marathon. I didn't know that I might not be able to raise money for cystic fibrosis. That's my inexperience coming out. There are several runs in the San Diego area, but only one so far allowed me to choose from this range of foundations. And as for Lifesharing, I'm still trying to learn more about them and if they have a full team or not. So I guess the short answer is "no" on the training program, at least as far as I can see right now.
Of course I would love for you to raise money for the CF Foundation. I will try to do some basic research and see if I can find something. You may want to look at the Boomer Esiason Foundation. They support the CFF and may have a team in your area. Other than that, I'm not sure. I'll look into it!
I hope that helps at least a little. I'll post some more information as I learn about it.
My initial research only shows 2 full marathons in support of CF in Steph's area. (Hello, one is the Boston marathon-crazy!) But the other one was done in Oct of this year (I believe), so you would have an entire year to train. But we will do way more research for you, Steph. The key may be to even start looking around at what 5Ks are in your area. I was just telling Dan that I think it's odd that there are virtually no runs you can do just for the fun (excluding fundraising). However, this one Dan is doing only requires raising $300, so that's at least pretty minimal. And I bet your friends and family would be so proud of you you could get that in a heartbeat (assuming you could find one like that).
Hi Dan! Great cause, good for you. Thanks for stopping by and for your insightful comments! Look forward to your blog posts. - Thomas
Thomas,
Thanks! I know I'm no where near where you are, and won't be by the time I'm done with this half marathon, but I want to learn a lot from you runners, and maybe be one of you someday!
Here's to a great finish to '09 and a good running start to '10!
Dan
Post a Comment