It's official! I have finally made the move into the age of technology (not bad for a girl who grew up with a black & white TV, and an 8-track in the family station wagon!) If you are visiting this blog, you have probably heard that I have decided to train for the Nike Women's Marathon. You know, I just didn't have enough going on with working full time at Children's Hospital, and going to school to complete prerequisites for nursing school :) Well, true to my very busy nature, I have signed up for this incredible challenge...and I intend to have a great time seeing it through!
The inspiration and motivation for my training, my fundraising, and my run itself...is my friend, Bjorn Nielsen. Bjorn, or Beej, as many of us called him, passed away in January of multiple myeloma at the age of 26. As Bjorn's mom said to me in an email, Bjorn would never have wanted to run a half marathon himself (he much preferred sitting in his comfy chair, or drinking a cold brewsky). But I know he would have supported me with a "you go for it, buddy!" He was the kind of guy who always had time for his friends and who had a real pinache for making time for the "important" stuff...like sportin' aviator sunglasses, cheering on the Huskies, and going to barbeques and theme parties! I miss him so much, and I am acutely aware that no one should ever have to go through what Beej did during his two year battle with cancer. But brave it, he did, and always with his trademark sense of humor. Cue the "ma ma ma myeloma!"
So, I begin my training this week to remember Bjorn...and to "kick some cancer butt" (as someone so eloquently put it at our kick-off event last weekend). I also begin working toward my fundraising goal of $4000. Most of what I raise will go straight to cancer research and directly to help families dealing with blood cancers (a small amount will pay for my race expenses). I hope that each and every one of you will support me, as I will need it! Come to my fundraising parties, comment on my blog, run with me, visit my website, give what you can, and cheer me on!!! I have not decided for sure yet if I will run the half or the full marathon. But either way...San Francisco, here I come!
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2 comments:
congrats on an audacious goal, Cath! happy to support you in this adventure and for such a wonderful cause. run Cath run!
Run Cath run, indeed!! I will add to Jody's "happy to support you in this audacious adventure!" If you really do plan on the bbq, I will bring da beef. ;) And, this DOES mean that you have to come and run the Prague marathon... ;)
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