Week 14: Cancer is a Family Journey

This week the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team geared up for our longest and last team training run of the season. Most of our teammates would be running 20-22 miles. The group I was running with opted for the 22 miles. We would start our journey at Boston College and run the course in reverse. It would be 11 miles out to Natick and then we would turn and trace our journey back to meet the hills of Newton with tired legs. This would be great preparation for Marathon Monday, and would hopefully give the confidence that many of us needed after a challenging training season in New England.

The Back of My Team Matty Shirt "Don't Stop Believing" and my Phil Riley Patch

 Getting Started, Gaining Perspective, and Getting Inspired

I have shared that each week before our long run, the team gathers and we sign banners for people that are being treated for cancer and to also listen to the Barr Impact Statements (this is the research for which we are raising funds). This week was different. My good friend Sandy, who is actually the person that got me connected with the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team, would be giving the inspirational talk to kick off our run. Sandy is the proud mom of three boys; Chris, Matty, and Zach. On March 25, 2007, Matty lost his battle with cancer. As Sandy reminds us, cancer is family disease. While many of us run with special people in mind, the family members are also a source of inspiration, they too have endured and continue to endure so much. In 2008, Sandy and her husband Johnny ran with Dana Farber to honor Matty's memory. Sandy, Johnny and their sons Chris and Zach continue to volunteer at water stops for many of our team runs. This weekend’s run was in honor of Matty Dubuc’s angel anniversary.  Matty and the entire Dubuc Family provided inspiration for the entire Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team as well as for thousands of other runners who were greeted with the most amazing water stop. As we approached you could hear “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey brining you towards them. There were beautiful posters of Matty, SpongeBob balloons, peeps, gummy bears, water, Gatorade, and inspirational stories to remind us why we are running.

As Sandy spoke, my eyes filled up. This season has certainly not been easy for training. However, as I listened to Sandy, I no longer worried about the challenges of training  or the 22 miles which I was about to run. My focus was on the many families and loved ones I know who have been impacted by cancer and the importance of what we are doing- running to raise funds in support of a world without cancer. I thought about the Dubuc’s. I thought about my dear friend Matt and his nephew for whom I run in his memory. I thought of so many friends and loved ones. I thought of too many people which reinforced how important the work at Dana Farber is.  

Team Matty water stop: All the inspiration needed

 The Dubuc Family: Inspiring Others through Story and Action

Rather than recapping this weeks challenges and lessons learned, I wanted to share with you the words Sandy shared because in her words were both the inspiration and lessons learned for this week and so many more.  Her talk can be found on Matty’s Caring Bridges website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matty. I would encourage you to check out his site for the story of a truly inspirational family.

“Good morning! My name is Sandy and you may have seen myself and/or my husband, John and oldest son, Chris, at water stops throughout your training.

This is my son, Matty (poster of Matty was displayed next to me). Matty was diagnosed with liver cancer when he was 4 years old. Matty endured so much throughout his 3 year battle, which included chemo, radiation, blood transfusions, a liver transplant, 3 lung surgeries, 2 brain surgeries and his left arm was amputated 5 months before he passed away. 

Jan asked me to say a few words this morning because since Johnny and I ran with the team, the year after Matty passed, DFMC has continued to honor Matty on this weekend's training run, with his angelversary being on Monday. 

I just want to redirect your inspirational focus for today's run. Every mile you log, I'm sure that you have an inspiration behind it. I'm guessing that the majority, if not all of you, are running for someone who's been touched by cancer. And because every run is mostly likely about that person, for today's run, I'd really love for you to dedicate it to the family members of that person, most especially, to the siblings. 

I have three boys. Chris is my oldest, Matty, then Zachary, my youngest. Chris was only 6 years old when Matty was diagnosed and Zach was just 12 days old. Although, Chris and Zach never went bald, had a port accessed or received a blood transfusion, they, too, suffered greatly. I always say that cancer is a family journey because it absolutely takes a toll on each family member.
In our family, Chris and Zach missed out on so much. They grew up too fast, they've seen too much and they've learned life's hardest lesson at too young of an age. I know that I'm not the only one who smiles through the pain or who's heart aches with unimaginable pain. 

I am so very proud of ALL 3 of my boys. And so, today, I ask you to please think about my boys and the strength it takes for them, my husband and I, just to get up each and every morning to acknowledge yet, another day, without Matty. 

I want to thank all of you for doing your part in helping to imagine a world without cancer. On a personal note, I want to give a big thanks to Steve Poirier, who's running again this year for Matty. And I think Steve has something very special to ask Chris. 

At that point, Steve took over and thanked Chris for all he's doing to help give back at such a young age! Steve then asked if Chris would jump in at mile 25 (the Jimmy Fund cheering section where will be) of the marathon and finish the marathon with him. Chris was/is thrilled to do so!” 

With the inspiration of Sandy and the entire Dubuc Family, I (like many of my teammates) made it the 22 miles. I am not sure I would have made it up over the hills without carry them in my heart. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it has been and continues to be for them or for so many people I know who have or have had a loved one battle cancer. Running a marathon is in no way a comparison to this. I am not sure anything could compare to this. However, perspective is a wonderful thing. Especially when it is families like the Dubuc’s for whom we run. What I said over and over in my head when I felt tired was simply “keep putting one step in from of the other. Imagine the strength that it takes for the families for whom you run. This is NOTHING compared to that. Suck it up. Right foot, left foot, breathe. Repeat.” I did this for 3 hours and 45 minutes. I thank the Dubuc’s for their inspiration. They continue to make me want to do more. Running for DFMC is just one of the ways I can do more.

Fundraising Update:
We are now 21 days away from the marathon. I am excited to report that I hit my initial fundraising goal of $10,000. However, with three weeks left until the marathon, in the spirit of pushing capacity, and because families like the Dubuc’s continue to show us just how much we can do when we commit to making the world a better place, I have increased my goal to $13,100. As of today I have $10,352.45 posted to my fundraising page. One step at a time. One dollar at a time, we will get there.

DFMC 2013

Team DFMC 2013

 The pictures above were taken after logging 22 miles. This is what running with a purpose looks like. Smiles all around. Together, we can make a difference.  Thank you for your continued support and a very special thank you to the entire Dubuc Family.

With Gratitude, Kerry D

  

Week 13: Embrace the Flaw

It is hard to believe we are now just about 1 month away from the 2013 Boston Marathon. I am not sure why the passage of time always surprises me. As I sit to write what I had hoped would be a weekly blog which has more realistically become a whenever I can get the time blog, the sky is blue and there are birds chipping outside. The air is cold and the promise of spring is in the air.  However, the weather forecast predicts another snowstorm for early in the week. Needless to say this training season has been challenging for many. As New Englanders we adjust. Today we may think spring and on Tuesday we will reach for our shovels. Nature does not always deliver on our terms and while we dream of the perfect day, we adjust to the conditions of the day, the week or the season. We embrace the flaw and as a good friend of mine always says “we do our best and forget the rest.” Or so we strive.

Taking a break for a quick photo before hitting Heartbreak hill during Saturday's training run with Steve and Elaine

 Fundraising Update

 I like to start with a fundraising update because this is why I am logging the many miles. I run to honor my friend Matt’s nephew Josh and so many others who I have come to learn of their stories and in support Dana Farber’s ultimate goal of a world without cancer. As of today, $9,447.45 has been posted to my fundraising page. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is $545 more than when I did my last blog post three weeks ago and this is only $552.55 away from my initial goal of $10,000. My hope is to hit $10,000 within the next week or so and then in the spirit of pushing capacity raise it once again. Last year we raised $15,585 and if the truth be told, I would like to at least hit $13,100. In all honesty, this has been a tough season on all fronts and I have not been as good this year at sending out fundraising letters and reminders. So stay tuned, I will be sending out more requests in the upcoming weeks. I do believe we can keep pushing. After all, a world without cancer is only possible if we continue to work to make it happen. Research requires money. It is that simple.  

Embrace the Flaw

 Embrace the flaw. These are three simple words and yet are so hard for many of us to do. This training season has given me many opportunities to practice these three simple words through action. The idea that perfection is found in imperfection is a concept that I appreciate, but when challenged to walk the talk, it is not always so easy. I am getting better at it.  This is not just a challenge in training for a marathon; it is a challenge for me in my everyday life. Like the weather in New England, life is often filled with uncertainty and as much as we try to anticipate and plan for the unexpected, reality reminds us that we are not always in control even if we think we are or want to be with all of our might.  Even when we do all we can to prepare, sometimes life throws us the unexpected. We are sometimes quick to say “this is unfair” and we find ourselves stuck or we accept that the conditions are not always on our terms and struggle with the challenges of the unexpected by embracing the flaw. We learn to see that perfection actually exists in the midst of imperfection.

When you run for the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team you have the added reminder and perspective that most challenges we face in training and in our day-to-day lives pales in comparison to the many challenges cancer patients and their families face who on a daily basis experience just how unfair life can be. They do not need the reminder. They live it every day.  This perspective has really helped me to embrace the flaw this season. Perhaps it is because so many of us are running to honor those who lost their battle and for the many patients and their families who continue to fight that makes even the most imperfect days seem perfect. You see, we have the day and that is a blessing in itself. I have found that recognizing the powerful purpose of our efforts makes having to figure out how to get in your long runs after 8-10 inches of snow has fallen, having to deal with fighting the flu and being sick, pulling muscles, experiencing fatigue or any other challenges that we face, are just part of the journey.

 This training season has been anything but perfect. This winter brought the challenge of snow fall on many weekends which made outdoor running in New England more than challenging. However, we adjusted. We embraced the flaw and found our way to treadmills.  Like many of my teammates, I also had bronchitis and the flu which has made the idea of a perfect feel good run a distant memory or a dream. However, we adjust. We learn to listen to our bodies and balance the need to rest and to get back at logging the miles even when we may not feel up to it. We accept that most runs are not perfect. Sometimes adjusting the expectation of a perfect run actually makes room for the imperfect run to feel “as good as it gets” and that is enough to have the run end with a smile because in spite of the challenges, the miles were logged. I also started a new job that on many days demands more hours than there are in the day. I have accepted the fact that there will be days that I do not get the runs that I should and that I have not done as much as I would like to for fundraising. I have done what I can and this is ok. For me, embracing the flaw is learning to see what is accomplished in spite of the challenges and the unexpected rather than focusing on what may not have been achieved because things didn't go exactly as planned.

This past week I logged an 18 mile run with my DFMC teammates on the Boston Marathon course. While many of us talked about the realities of this season’s challenges and how this is testing our confidence, the excitement that we all feel when we come together coupled with the encouragement we feel from our many supporters is what makes the impossible seem possible. In a months time we will be lining up in Hopkinton to make the 26.2 mile trek to Boston. Running for a world without cancer makes one strong in spirit, even when the conditions are less than ideal. We embrace the flaw and then put one foot in front of the other and mile by mile dollar by dollar we move towards our goal. The idea of a perfect run or ideal training season is more about perspective than reality. I am once again reminded of the words of Pat Summit. “It is what it is, but it will be what you make it.” Cancer is ruthless disease that knows no bounds. It is what it is. However, as we log our miles and raise funds even when it is imperfect, we are holding on to the hope that the world one day will be “what we make it”- a world without cancer.

If you have not had a chance to make a donation, I would ask that you consider doing so. If we want a world without cancer, we have to be willing to do what we can to make that happen. Every donation makes a difference. If it is $5, $50 or $500, it all adds together to fund innovative research that is driven by a desire to make a world without cancer a reality. Research requires funds, it is that simple.

With gratitude,

Kerry D

Week 10: Right Foot, Left Foot, Breathe.

Time is one of our most precious resources and while we may sometimes forget, it is a limited resource.  I have certainly been reminded of that this past month. As much as we may want or need to have more time to fit everything in that we must do, we all have 24 hours in each day and 7 days in a week. No more, no less. At work, I have taken on a new role which has demanded much time. This has been magnified because in the interim I have also been juggling my prior responsibilities. Needless to say this is why I have not been as consistent with my blog updates and quite honestly, I have struggled to get all my miles in each week. However, being a member of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team and working to support a world without cancer is one of the ways I work to make the world a better place. So even with the great challenges of time this past month, I have embraced the words Pat Summit so wisely shared with Robin Roberts on how to face a big challenge “right foot, left foot, breathe.”

Team picture at a water stop on Lexington Bike path 2/23/13-17 miles logged.

Fundraising Update

I am very excited to share that while I have not been able to dedicate as much time as I did last year to fundraising, last week I surpassed the $8,000 pacesetter mark on my fundraising page http://www.runDFMC.org/2013/kerryd.  This week my page actually hit $8,902.45. This is incredibly exciting and I am so filled with gratitude for the many people who continue to step up and contribute to such an important effort- a world without cancer. I am also reminded as each donation is made of the many ways that cancer touches our lives. Many of you have made donations in honor of a family member, a friend, a colleague or someone who has touched your life in a variety of ways. This is the constant powerful reminder of how important it is to support cancer research. Simply stated, too many loved ones struggle terribly and leave us too early because of this dreadful disease. We must not give up on the fight. A world without cancer is possible, it just requires a Herculean effort and when we come together collectively we can be Hercules strong.  

Right Foot, Left Foot, Breathe.

The month of February in New England has certainly added to the challenges of marathon training. Mother Nature has made it incredibly challenging to get in our long weekend runs. In fact, three of this month’s DFMC training runs have been cancelled because of weather and safety concerns. However, this did not mean that the miles we not logged. It meant we needed to adjust. For many of us this meant that the miles were logged indoors on treadmills. In the month of February I logged three long runs on a treadmill, 14 miles, 16 miles and 14 miles. Right foot, left foot, breathe. This is how we get it done. It is not thinking about the 2 hours and 40 minutes on the treadmill, it is thinking about all the people for whom we run and then simply saying, “Right foot, left foot, breathe” and repeat.  

Third long run on treadmill, still smiling. 14 miles logged.

 “Right foot, left foot, breathe.” These three actions can help us move forward in spite of an enormous challenge that lies before us. I am very grateful for watching the 20/20 Special on Robin Roberts and her courageous fight with cancer. It was so inspirational! If you have a chance to watch it, it is well worth it.  In this special she described how powerful the words “right foot, left foot, breathe” were for her. She also talked about optimism and how it can help us face our challenges whatever they may be. She went on to describe optimism as a muscle and how we must work to strengthen it. This idea really resonated with me. I loved the way it recognizes that optimism is not just something that people have or do not have, it something that can be developed and strengthened. The challenge is how do we do this? How do we cultivate optimism in what sometimes feels like a cynical world? This is a big question and I am sure we all have different answers. For me, my experience running with Dana Farber as a member of the Marathon Challenge Team has helped me to answer this challenging question. 

Possibility Exists with Action

 I would begin my answer with it is a conscious choice and requires continuous effort. As Robin Roberts said, optimism is a muscle. Each day we are presented with opportunities to exercise it. Some days are easier than others and developing this muscle is not as easy as doing push ups every day so your arms get stronger. Optimism requires much more than that. I would also suggest that being optimistic does not require letting go of all cynicism we may have. It is not an either/or and sometimes life has given us every reason to be cynical.  I see it more as having a willingness to dance with the dichotomy. Many of the people I have met through DFMC have every reason to be cynical, yet they are not. Or perhaps they are and just dance gracefully with the dichotomy of cynicism and optimism and they see possibility exists with action.

 Many involved with DFMC continue to grieve and rightfully resent how cancer has forever changed life as they knew it; however they are fueled by a desire to work towards a world without cancer.  I am so inspired by so many of their stories. This is why we run.  Many of the DFMC runners and volunteers have lost parents, siblings, children, and friends. Some have watched friend lose loved ones to cancer.  Some have faced cancer themselves. Yet, on Saturdays we all come together to log many miles because we collectively believe that a world without cancer is possible if we all work together to do what we can. We run to raise funds to support cancer research. With each step we take we honor the memory of those that have left  us to early, we offer support to those who courageously engage in the fight, and we run to raise funds to support cancer research to support the ultimate goal: A world without cancer, in hopes that those who have not faced cancer will not have to.

Possibility exists with action. Thank you to all of you who have joined us in our efforts. “Right foot, left foot, breathe.” A world without cancer is only possible if we believe it is attainable and are all willing to show our collective Herculean strength to make it happen. One step, one mile and one dollar at a time we will get there. If you have not had a chance to donate, please remember that each donation is appreciated and supports this amazing effort.  No donation is too small. Collectively it adds up to fund the research that is necessary to make a world without cancer a reality.

With gratitude,

Kerry D

Week 7: There are No Shortcuts

When we aspire to do big things, we are often reminded that there are no shortcuts to achieve them. This is something I am constantly reminded of as a member of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team. There are no short cuts to finding a cure for cancer. It requires the work of many scientists and researchers which requires continued funding and support for such work. This is why we run.We are doing our part to raise funds to support a world without cancer.  There are no short cuts when preparing to run a marathon. Our body only becomes ready to run a 26.2 after a consistent commitment to logging many miles. This week our commitment was tested. Many days this week were close to zero degrees.We may have made adjustments to our training but we continued to log the miles.

Fundraising Update

 We continue to move towards our goal of $10,000. This week there is $5787.45 posted to my fundraising page which is $75 dollars more than last week and I have also sent in checks that total an additional $490. This will bring us to a total of $6,277.45. This means we are $3,722.55 away from our goal with 11 weeks to go. I am so grateful to so many of you who have once again contributed so generously. I am also confident that with continued support we will continue to make progress each week and that by April 15, 2013 we will reach our goal. If you have not had a chance to make a donation, please consider doing so this week to help us keep moving towards our goal. I cannot do it without you.

There Are No Shortcuts

 This week temperatures made it challenging to run outside. In fact, our Dana Farber Team long run was cancelled due to the extremely cold temperatures and the wind chill factor. I have come to realize while I may be able to make adjustments to my weekly runs, the long run for me is the most important. It is not only logging the miles, it is also maintaining my confidence that I can go that far as well as continuing to develop my ability to endure the inevitable wall that I hit when running longer distances. It is not simply training our body to be able to physically endure the distance; it is also training our mind to stay with it even when we think we cannot. So when this weeks run was cancelled, I made arrangements with my friend, teammate and running buddy, Steve. We decided to meet at the gym and face 14 miles on the treadmill (otherwise known as the dread mill) together. Not only would this be challenging to run 14 miles, but for anyone that runs on a treadmill, you know how mentally challenging this can be.

Steve and I ran on treadmills right next to each other. I cannot begin to express how much this helped. I guess there is truth to the “misery loves company” or actually in the spirit of last weeks post about attitude, I think I will recognize the power of team that I discussed in week 5. It is amazing how each week’s lessons seem to weave together. I will not pretend this weeks run was easy. It was anything but easy. At times I found myself questioning how I could expect to run a marathon when logging 14 miles felt so difficult. I then would remind myself that so much of marathon training and actually completing a marathon is learning to be mentally strong. So, I really reframed this weeks run. It was not about the miles, but about enduring wanting to stop and resisting the wall. To be honest, I was more bored than tired. Running on a treadmill for 2 hours and 16 minutes is a long time without a change of scenery. Again, I am so grateful for Steve because in the midst of my boredom I never felt along and I never forgot why I am running. I am running to support Dana Farber’s Ultimate Goal: A World without Cancer. When we aspire for big things, there are no short cuts. One mile and one dollar at a time we are making a difference. Will you help bring us that one step closer? Please remember that no donation is too small. Collectively we become a powerful force when we commit to do what we can to make a difference.

With Gratitude,

Kerry D

Week 6: Attitude is Everything

Life often feels like a bumpy ride. This is certainly what this training season has been so far. I have arrived at week five with such mixed emotions. I am so honored to be part of such an amazing team and such an important effort-we are running to support a world without cancer. Yet, like many who have had cold or the flu this winter, I am growing tired of the lingering cough and the many challenges that brings with my asthma. Of course this is minor in comparison to the many challenges faced by those for whom many of us run and I will never loose sight of that perspective.

Fundraising Update

I am happy to report that while fundraising has been slow for me in comparison to last year, with the generous support of many family, friends, and co-workers, I am currently at $5,712.45. This is more than halfway towards my goal of $10,000. I thank those of you who have already donated. I recognize that this is the second year I am asking for your support. However, I am sure if you look around at people in your own life you will see that we have many miles and many dollars to go to supporting a world without cancer. I have continued my commitment to Dana Farber and to logging miles and I hope you will continue to show your support in any way you can. Please remember that any amount is appreciated. Collectively our donations add up and support the amazing research that is taking place at Dana Farber. My goal is to continue to see the dollars increase each week. Perhaps you will be one that helps me reach my fundraising goal this week?

Choose your attitude

We cannot always choose our situation, but often we do have the power to choose our attitude which influences how we experience it. This is often incredibly challenging. I have been accused of being a “positive Patty” or a “snow globe” which I actually accept with great pride. However, I must admit that while I do tend to see the positive this requires great effort which others may not always see. I do not always arrive at the positive immediately. In fact, I am one who embraces the struggle to get there. This week was yet another example of being challenged to “walk my own talk.” You see, I am often one to tell others that struggle is good. It is what makes us stronger. In fact, conceptually, I do not believe that we achieve our potential unless we are willing to engage in struggle. Without struggle we only experience what we can already do, not the possibility of what we potentially can do. While these words make sense to me, I am reminded this week that doing something is harder than believing in the idea of something.

For those that are close to me you may know that I have been struggling a lot with my asthma this season. It began in early December with bronchitis and has lingered now for almost 7 weeks. I have been through two rounds of antibiotics and last week started a steroid treatment. Needless to say, logging the miles has not been easy. I have tried really hard to balance taking care of myself with also logging the miles that I need to stay on track. I am driven by the importance of why we are running: to support cancer research and a world without cancer. I have tried to embrace the struggle. I took most of this week off from running to give my body some rest and to let the steroids do their trick. In the past this has been what has worked for me. It is a quick 6 day treatment.

Yesterday, I had hoped to be able to do 14-15 miles for my weekly long run. Running with the team always adds such perspective and the company helps to pass the time. I actually felt ok for most of the run. Again, it was not an easy run but given all that I have been dealing with my expectations did not include an “easy 14-15” miles. However, I wanted to get it done. I was filled with gratitude to have such amazing teammates to run with on a chilly Saturday. Our training runs typically consist of an out and back route. This allows for water stops and for teammates to choose a variety of distances. When we arrived at the second water stop we decided that we would run out to the last one instead of turning around half-way to make it the 15 miles we had planned. After all, what was an extra mile?

On our way back I started to struggle quite a bit and was experiencing terrible cramping and discomfort in my legs in particular my calf muscles. This sometimes happens if ones salt balance is not right; however I sometimes get tired legs but never have issues with cramping like this. When we arrived at the last water stop which was at mile 12.7, I talked to our coach about it briefly. He always asks such great questions. He asked something like “what is different this week?” I had explained that as a result of the asthma I had started a round of steroids. He then explained that he had a friend who had a similar issue and he ended up tearing his calf muscle and suggested that I not push it. This was not something I wanted risk. There are times to push through and there are times to heed the advice of others. It was not easy for me to cut out on the last leg of the training run. In fact, I was quite disappointed. I am a push through kind of person. However, I worked at reframing it realized that I had run just about 13 miles in spite of the difficulties I have had with my asthma. This is actually pretty good.

So, at mile 12.7 I hopped in the car with our coach, Jack Fultz who brought me back to the Longfellow Club. He is such an amazing coach and for those who do not know, he won the Boston Marathon in 1976.  I was appreciative of the ride, and although I knew I was making a smart decision, it was still not easy. I was reminded at how important attitude is when later in the day I received a text message from a teammate and a old high school friend with whom I had been running with earlier and she said, “you added another highlight to your long list: getting personally chauffeured by a Boston Marathon winner.” I smiled, and thought she is absolutely right. Today was a good day. Thank you to Elaine for reminding me how very important it is to choose our attitude. Now on to week 6!

With Gratitude,

Kerry

Week 5: The Collective Power of Team

The passage of time always seems to take me by surprise. I am not sure if that is because we often neglect the power of pause and breathing space or because we simply pack so much into our days that our days quickly merge into weeks, months and years leaving us with the recurring question, “where does the time go?” Well, I am going to accept that it is probably a little bit of both. Stopping to write up a weekly blog is creating a space for pause and reflection, yet the passage of time still surprises me. As I write this week’s post, we are now just 13 weeks away from the marathon. This is both exciting and overwhelming. I am finding my groove and have accepted the many challenges that exist in front of me.  We have a ways to go with the training and many miles to log and a long way to go with the fundraising, one dollar and donation at a time. 

Fundraising Update

This year I have been a bit slower with the fundraising. With the generosity of many friends, family and colleagues, we have raised $5,346.20 which is about halfway to my conservative goal of $10,000. This is quite a bit behind last year, however I have not sent out as many reminders because I am hopeful that many of you who contributed last year will once again step up and support such an important effort-working towards a world without cancer. We certainly do not need to look far for the reminder of just how important this effort is. I am sure most of us know someone if not many who have been impacted by cancer and if you haven’t, unfortunately you probably will. Fighting cancer is all of our responsibility. So, I thank those who have already supported this critical effort. You are part of our extended Marathon Challenge Team! For those who have not yet made a contribution, please consider joining us in this important effort. Every donation brings us a step closer. Individually we are strong; collectively we are a powerful force.

The Collective Power of Team

 Training to run a marathon is hard. Raising $10,000 or more is also hard. Finding a cure for cancer is hard. Perhaps it is suppose to be. Hard is not something that discourages me. In fact, the challenge is a call to action. I am also a firm believer that “many hands (or shall I say feet) makes light (or lighter) work.” This is something that really resonated with me this week. As I mentioned in last weeks post, I have really been struggling with my breathing. It started with Bronchitis in early December and has continued. This week I began a second round of antibiotics and was feeling much better. However, the weekly runs were still tough.

 Our Team Run was in Lexington this week and the mileage was 10-12 miles. There is something magical that happens on Team Runs. For me, it is the reminder that I am not one person training for a marathon; I am a member of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team. I find myself in a room full of people who are all driven by a shared sense of purpose- a world without cancer. Everyone in the room has joined the team because cancer has impacted their life in some way. Some of our teammates are cancer survivors. Some have lost parents, sisters, brothers, children and friends. Some of us are running and some of us are volunteering. All of us are doing what we can to support Dana Farber’s ultimate goal- a world without cancer.  I think I mentioned last week that we begin our runs by coming together as a team to hear the “Barr Impact” Statements. This reminds us all of the research that is being done and the reason we are hitting the pavement and logging so many miles. This week we were all crowded into the basement of Boston’s Running Company Store in Lexington. As we were standing and listing to team announcements, a woman came up to me. She was a volunteer for the day. She stood beside me and whispered, “thank you for running! I am going to try not to cry. I had cancer this summer and really appreciate what you are doing.” How is that for perspective? It was all I needed to fuel my run yesterday. As I listened to the gratitude of this woman and stood in a crowded room of runners who were ready to hit the road, I was so honored to be part of such an important effort. 

 As we left the store and began our run on the Lexington Bike Path, I was reminded of how much I have grown to love running with a group. This was a major change for me because I was always a solo runner. Our group this week included some veteran runners and also a number of first time marathoners. How exciting. I think one of my favorite things about running in a group is the collective sounds of our feet hitting the ground. It is a reminder that we are not doing this alone. I have learned that even on days when I am not sure I am going to be able to go the distance that it becomes possible when I am with my teammates. We talk about why we are running. We talk about our goals. We challenge each other to think about how realistic the goals are. One of my favorite reminders this week came from a teammate who has run many marathons. As we were sharing some of our goals, he reminded us that above and beyond all goals, we must remember the number one goal is to get to the starting line as healthy as possible. This is true for life too. Sometimes in pursuit of a goal we forget the most important is to take care of ourselves as we work towards our goals.

 In the end this week long run was 12.5 miles. I was so filled with gratitude for the friends that I have met through the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team. I appreciate their companionship on runs and their collective commitment and effort in supporting a world without cancer. Running with such a great group reminds me that we achieve great things when we are willing to push the capacity of what we think is possible. We are not just running to log miles, we are running to raise money to support cancer research and a world without cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning.

With gratitude,

Kerry

Week 4: New Beginnings

Happy New Year! Today was the second official Dana Farber Team run which means we are now 14 weeks away from the Boston Marathon. Yikes!  As part of my marathon training and fundraising, I also aim to keep a weekly blog during the 18 weeks of training. This gives me the opportunity to document and share my journey with friends, family and supporters. Well, here I am at the end of week 4 and I missed week 2 and week 3. This is not such a great start. I could blame the craziness of the end of the semester and the holidays and that certainly played a part. However, to be quite honest, this year I have simply not been able to find my rhythm (disclaimer: this does not mean that I will not find it).

As the official training season began I developed bronchitis which can be challenging with my asthma. However, I tend to see the glass half full so I saw this as a blessing that it happened at the beginning of the season when there is plenty of wiggle room for catching up on the miles. Certainly there are lots of people who deal with a lot more difficult things that labored breathing. Well, like many who have been sick this season, I am still coughing and being challenged by it. Running has become one of my greatest teachers. Today I was reminded that many times when we cannot find our rhythm we can choose to start again. Before I share my thoughts on my “ah ha” moment of today’s run, let me give you a fundraising update because after all, this is the reason I am logging the miles and once again running the Boston Marathon- to raise funds to support cancer research and Dana Farber’s Ultimate goal: a world without cancer.  

Fundraising Update

As of today, my fundraising page reflects that $5,386.20 has already been donated. THANK YOU!  I cannot begin to express my incredible gratitude for the many friends, family member and colleagues who have stepped up and made donations for the second year in a row to support me and my teammates in this incredibly important effort. My goal this year is to raise at least $10,000. Last year with all of your support I raised over $15,000. Some might ask why my initial goal is lower than last year. Well, last year my initial goal was actually $7,000. I am someone who likes to under promise and over deliver. While I believe it is completely possible to exceed my goal as we did last year, I want to be cautiously optimistic. So if you have donated already, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are once again part of this incredible effort that is working toward a world without cancer. If you have not donated yet, I ask you to please consider making a donation. It does not matter how big or how small, collectively our donations add up and make a very powerful push toward a world without cancer. If you are unable to make a donation, you can support with words of encouragement. Every bit helps. So thank you to all of you who are here for year two! We have 14 weeks to go.  I cannot do this without your support.

New Beginnings

Ok, let’s get back to the “ah ha” moment about new beginnings. Running truly has become one of my greatest teachers and the amazing thing is that while I know this to be true, her lessons always take me by surprise. I had shared that I have not yet seemed to find my rhythm this training season. Like many, I have been sick and struggling to get back to 100%. The holidays came and were filled with great times with family and friends. For me, this included a trip to Colorado for my cousins wedding the week before Christmas. This was so wonderful to spend time with both family and friends.  I have managed to get in all of my longer runs with the longest being 11 miles so it has not been a complete bust. Although, none of these long runs have come easy but they have been logged. Last year at this time, I had logged one 15 miler but I still have time to catch up. Where I have struggled is getting all my weekly runs and balancing it all.

So I arrived at today’s run both excited and nervous. My breathing continues to be labored especially when I run. However, something magical happens when running with the Dana Farber Team. I remember why I am running and am surrounded by so many amazing people that the labored breathing is simply a sign to slow the pace. It is not about going fast. It is about moving forward with a purpose. The team met today at the Mount Auburn Club in Watertown. As we gather for morning announcements and an overview of the course, we are also reminded of why we are there. We are introduced to specific research projects that are taking place at Dana Farber when a teammate and board member reads one of the Barr Impact Statements. We all stretch and listen. This is not your average Sunday morning run. We are charged with a purpose: a world without cancer.

Jack Fultz (our coach), me, Steve and Elaine at mile 6

 The team was off. We started to make our way over to the Boston Marathon course through Brighton for our training run. My “ah ha” moment or lesson for today came at mile 2. This was not very far into the 12 mile run and certainly not what I would have expected to happen. My breathing was labored but it was cold. I figured if we found the right pace and as I adjusted to the cold, I would be fine. Then we started our way up the first hill good size hill. The dry heaves started. I had hoped it would pass. However, they did not. I found myself on the side of the road throwing up. This is perhaps more details than I should share, however it is very relevant to the lesson. I was running with my good friend Elaine. She was so patient and asked if I was alright. As other teammates passed they all asked if I was ok too. Lovely, I thought to myself. It is only the second run and I am getting sick maybe at mile two. “I am a hot mess,” I thought. Then after a few minutes, I felt better.

Elaine and I started to run again. It was then I decided that the run was starting over. I was not going to think about how terrible it is to get sick at mile two or worry that because I got sick that I would not be able to continue. Instead, I simply changed my thinking to “the run starts now.” It was not the greatest run I have had, but it was wonderful to be running with a high school friend. In my head I reminded myself I was not only training for a marathon. I was part of an effort working toward a world without cancer.

Steve, Kerry and Elaine: Miles Logged!

 Lesson from Team Run # 2

I was not thrilled to have gotten sick today. However, shortly after I did feel much better. My breathing was still labored a bit, but I was reminded that in any given moment we can shift our energy and begin again. Most often we cannot control our environment or what happens but we can control how we respond to it. As I drove home from the team run, I no longer felt bad that I had not yet found my rhythm this training season or that I have missed two weeks of blog posts. Just like today at mile two I decided that the run began from that point, I too can choose to focus my energy on creating my rhythm rather lamenting about not having found it yet. Perhaps I found it today. I am looking forward to week 5 of training. Bring it on!

I want to end by sharing a video. Many of you may have already seen this. It was shared by a number of my friends on Facebook and is an incredible story of the power of possibility. My favorite quote from the video is “just because I cannot do it today, does not mean I will not be able to do it tomorrow.” These words resonated with me today as I tackled the hills in Newton, MA. For some of us it is building up the endurance to run a marathon. For some of us it is also trying to imagine reaching our fundraising goal. For all of us it is dreaming a world without cancer. Just because we cannot do it today, does not mean that we won’t be able to do it tomorrow. One step at a time and one dollar at a time anything is possible if we are willing to work towards our goals with laser like focus.

Here is the link to the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Let's work hard today for a better tomorrow. Are you with me?

With Gratitude,

Kerry D