Today marks the TWO MONTH countdown to the Philadelphia Marathon. I am well over halfway into my training, and a little over halfway to my fundraising goal.
Here I am. Almost there. I have no idea how I got here. There are so many things that nobody tells you-or if they did tell me, I certainly didn't listen. I don't remember anyone telling me that my life was going to revolve around this. Day in and day out, being totally obsessed with my running schedule, my last run, how fast, how slow, how long, my next run, my legs hurt, too little rest, too much rest, knee injuries, pulled hamstrings, sore calves, impossible fundraising goals, donations, doubts, expectations, hope, faith, fear....If you don't believe me, check out my Facebook...I am pretty sure I haven't had a status that was NOT about the marathon since May. Every plan I make is made around my running schedule. I even bring up the marathon in pretty much EVERY conversation I have. And again, here I am. Two short months away from my goal-toeing up at the start....
While the thought of this is exciting, even invigorating, it can also be terrifying at the same time. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel any fear. But what am I so afraid of?
“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself” Franklin D. Roosevelt
So Just for Today - I will put my fear aside. I will lace up tomorrow morning, go on my midweek long run, and continue with the last 8 weeks of training. I will still talk about the marathon constantly, blog about my journey, post about my runs. The only difference between now and when I started is - I no longer feel ashamed or embarrassed. I DO NOT have the PERFECT body. I am not a FAST runner. I am not always the SMARTEST in the bunch. I tend to be overly EMOTIONAL and sometimes I lack the appropriate amount of FAITH needed on any given day. From here on out, I will remind myself - this IMPERFECT body has carried me 222 miles since I started training, I am FASTER than the person sitting on their couch, I am a pretty INTELLIGENT girl, I don't really think CRYING is such a bad thing, and what I lack in FAITH is made up by the amount of LOVE and SUPPORT I keep around me.
I will remember why I found the courage and strength to overcome ANY fear I could ever have. The memories of my loved ones lost are more than enough for me to tell my fear to step aside. I am running this marathon to help raise funds to benefit Lung Cancer Alliance in their quest to support early detection of and find a treatment for lung cancer. So many people have been affected by this terrible disease. This is my way of fighting the fight. Fear? What fear?
****Don't Forget, I am running this Marathon with Team Lung Love for Lung Cancer Alliance to raise awareness and funds for the fight against Lung Cancer. No donation is too small. Please consider donating to the cause by clicking here. Huge thanks again to everyone who has already donated!!!****
