During chemotherapy treatment last year I decided that I would train for an endurance event with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) when my health improved. After remission rolled around and I felt up to the challenge, I signed up with LLS's Team In Training (TNT) program to participate in a half marathon. This past weekend I completed a total of 13.1 miles at the Long Branch Half Marathon and finished in 02:53:08! I also raised over $3600 in funds for cancer research.
The marathon weekend was filled with pre-race jitters and joyous celebrations. The night before the race I attended a pasta party hosted by LLS for all the TNT participants. Here I got to meet some of 350 participants that each raised at least $2500 for cancer research and would be running in the race the following day. After dinner I got the chance to meet team members from the Southern NJ region, listen to some rather inspiring stories, and decorate race t-shirts. It was amazing to be amongst so many people who were equally committed to a great cause.
So I really didn't get excited about having to run 13.1 miles until the morning of race day. Since most of my training was done alone I was preoccupied that I didn't have a friend to consistently encourage me throughout the 13.1 miles; and many of the other TNT participants had be running together for months and had already created lasting friendships and support groups. Luckily I met Jackie from Toms River, NJ, who was in the same boat as I was: she raised funds, trained all on her lonesome, and now had a half marathon to face on her own it seemed. After meeting we decided to become each other's support and pace one another throughout the race. Believe me when I say that I finished as quickly as I did because of Jackie's motivation. She was obviously in better shape and could handle running for longer periods of time without as many walk breaks. However, she persistently encouraged me to keep going throughout the race.
At the end of the race I met with family and friends to take celebratory pictures and receive my race hat and medal. It was very surreal to finish 13.1 miles in the rain without passing out from exhaustion. Now, I'm set on doing a 5K run with the American Cancer Society for prostate cancer research and awareness. Stay tuned!
