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 | I ran a marathon in October and I was hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I missed qualifying | |
| and I thought the MORE Marathon would be an opportunity to try again. | ||
| In April 2002 my husband was diagnosed with an epitheloid sarcoma – a very rare & usually fatal | |
| type of cancer. Because we live in a small community, we were referred to M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. The next 2 years included 5 rounds of chemotherapy which didn’t kill the primary tumor, several experimental surgeries to try & kill the tumor using radio frequency waves (an experimental procedure) and then the diagnosis of “there’s nothing else for you – go home & learn to die” because the cancer had spread to his lungs. Through it all we have been blessed with a fantastic support circle of friends & family & many, many prayer warriors. My husband’s outlook is great and he has beaten the odds so far. He is now being treated at the Cancer Treatment Research Center in San Antonio & is in an experimental drug trial. Since entering this study in July, his tumors have stabilized, the drug seems to be effective in shrinking the tumors, not a cure, but definitely a delaying tactic. I’m a 47 year old who before all this was very active, always had my weight under control & didn’t suffer from any health problems. Unfortunately, the stress I’m dealing with (a 21 year old college senior, a 17 year old high school senior, a job, and my hubby) has decided to manifest itself in a 30 pound weight gain. My doctors assure me that my blood counts, etc. are all fine & that my thyroid is perfectly normal – “it’s just stress”. I realized that for almost 3 years now I’ve done nothing for myself. The MORE marathon hit a nerve, maybe this was something that I could do, just for me. Although I’ve never been a runner, I was always a walker, so the 13 miles wasn’t that scary, but the idea of making a commitment to see this through is very scary, I’ve enlisted the help of my best friend. We are walking (an average of 4 miles 5 times a week) & beginning our weight training this week (twice a week). We’ve penciled in the marathon for our spring activities & God willing, my husband’s health keeping stable, we hope to be in NYC to participate in the walk. My husband is VERY supportive and encouraging, through this whole ordeal I’ve learned a lot about life from him. We are independent business owners & he was ALWAYS working, never took time off to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Getting smacked in the face with the realization that there are no guarantees in life, he made the decision to spend more time with our son and daughter, travel a little more, “slow” down. Watching him change like this made me realize what’s important in life; it’s not what you have, but how you use what you are blessed with, each day is a gift and as Bette Midler says, “don’t sweat the small shit”…. Actually, the cancer in our family has in a sense made life for our family very easy—nothing is taken for granted, long term plans are not made, we live for each moment, we cherish our family & friends; we have realized just how very powerful prayers are; and most importantly, we realized that we are not in charge of our lives, just the way we choose to live them. So, I hope that with this challenge before me I can re-learn that my health and well-being must be a priority in my life if I want to continue to be a supportive partner for my husband & family as we battle this horrible disease. | ||
| I turn 50 in 2005 and it has always been my goal to run a marathon by the time I am 50. I ran cross | |
| country and track in college and distance races when I was younger. I want to run a full marathon in the fall (from Alpine to Marathon in West Texas) and the More is a warmup for me. I will run the ½. | ||
| I started running at age 40. I just did not like what ‘aging’ was doing to my body so I started out | |
| slowly. I did not realize that running and marathon training would be the glue that held me together during some trying times to come in my life. My niece at age 21 was killed instantly in a car accident which sent me and my familys’ emotions spinning into outer space. Both of my children were graduating from high school and leaving home for college, and I had to face the fact that my long- term marriage was failing. All during my life challenges, trials and tribulations, it was the persistence and consistency of running that kept me going. My drive to continue training and running marathons was a force that came from outside of my mind, but kept me going, focusing on the positive in life. | ||
| A good friend of mine forwarded me an e-mail with information on this marathon, and an on-line | |
| training group, The Distance Divas. I had been looking for motivation to get myself back into shape after having my baby and I have never even been to New York City, and the race sounded awesome. | ||
| I chose to walk the half marathon to elevate my workout to the next level and complete it with my | |
| online workout posse. | ||
| Thought running a marathon with other women over 40 would be fun. We are in the prime of our | |
| lives and loving it. What a way to celebrate!!...Have run/walked 7 others so far. If I stay injury free, hoping the More Marathon will be my 9th. The past 5 marathons were accomplished with the help of a couple of my running friends. Oh the stories we could tell. Well, maybe not all the stories ;-) Nothing like a run/walk, good or bad, then a get together afterwards at Starbucks for a cup of coffee/tea and a gab fest. | ||
| To be in shape and to have fun. Also, it's something i can do with my mom. I liked that the training | |
| season was through the winter, which is my weakest time in health and fitness. | ||
| My 60th birthday is happening in June and I wanted to reach that milestone as healthy as possible. | |
| Amy, the Texas Divas coach is my daughter; she has always encouraged me to try new things. In the past year I paraglided off of Mt. Aspen in Aspen CO, rode horseback for the first time, and learned to snowshoe in Aspen. I even rode a snowmobile for the first time ever, too. I would love to add the MORE Magazine half marathon to this years feats! | ||
| A friend of mine asked me to be her partner since she was “under-age” and I was over 40. Then the | |
| fact that the marathon will actually be held on my 47th birthday seemed like a good time to arrange a diva trip to NYC. | ||
| I decided to start training for a marathon because I wanted to do something that challenged my mind | |
| and body like nothing I have ever done. I am starting to see that I truly can do whatever I want as long as I have the inner strength. It’s all mental, honestly for me I have to stay focused, remember how strong I am and praise myself for what I am doing just for ME. It is by far the best experience and feeling because it’s up to your own strength, fight, and courage which each woman has even if you have to dig for it!!! | ||
| I have had a very challenging year personally and I know that when I have big personal challenges | |
| taking on a physical challenge is a good thing for me to do. | ||
| I did the More 1/2 Marathon last year, and loved it. My experience at the Marathon last year was a | |
| feeling I cannot describe. This was something I used to dream of, but thought physically I never I could get in that type of condition. But I finished the race and the feeling you experience when crossing that finish line, the enthusiasm of the people cheering you on was beyond my dreams. This past year I have learned what it means to have a "empty nest". I have focused my past 18 years as a single parent raising my two daughters. They are both in college now, so it is time to take care of myself. This marathon and the training helps me with that. Taking time to do something just for me, not my family, not my job, or anyone else. When you do that everyone benefits from it. | ||
| Also this being a "All women 40+ marathon", it allows many people like myself who have never run a | |
| race, that have a dream to be in a marathon but didn't want to be last or picked up by the "slow person van", an opportunity of a lifetime. I met sooo many great people while walking/jogging during the race last year, they were total strangers to me but they had nothing but words of encouragement along the way, and that kept me moving. I hope to be part of the More Marathon every year as long as there is one, and as long as my feet will keep moving. | ||
| I needed a goal. I have always wanted to participate in a race in Central Park. I used to live at 96th | |
| Street and Central Park West, but I was not in shape to take on the challenge. I also like the group (Distance Divas) and the women only aspect |
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