i used to run

You know how people use the phrase "it's just like riding a bike"? Well, running is not just like riding a bike. I would have thought otherwise until about a month ago when I started training to run a marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT). When Ryan decided to sign up, I thought, what the heck, I definitely have the motivation to fundraise for finding cures for blood cancers, and, no big deal, I used to be a runner.

I stopped running about three years ago when I just decided I didn't like it. I ran in junior high, high school, all through college, then, during my masters, I decided I actually didn't like it. I did however, think that all of this running practice would make the training a cinch.

I was incorrect. The fact that I "used to run" did not, I repeat, did not help me during those first workouts when I had to stop because I couldn't catch my breath, or keep the soreness out of my legs so it wouldn't hurt when I sat down, or walked, or moved. No, the runner that I once was must have crawled into the Goodwill bag of running clothes I donated years ago.

Now, after 4 weeks of training, my legs are feeling stronger and I don't complain near as frequently about aches and pains I feel from running.

Three weeks ago, at one of our Saturday trainings, we had our Honored Heroe's Breakfast. I thought I would faint as one of our honored heroes talked about the size of the needles used to do bone marrow biopsies. The parents of another one of our honored heroes spoke about life since their daughter, Emerson, was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 2, and again, just hearing about the procedures used in treatment, my head started to spin.

Even though my years of running experience failed me as training began, I'm grateful for inspiration... it's pretty easy to keep on running when I compare it with what cancer patients go through.

So, this should be the first post of many as I train to the run the Big D Marathon in April. Check back frequently to see how progress is going. I will soon include a link on the blog to my donation page, where you can donate online if you so choose.

Off to go run!