Why I am running the ING NYC Marathon.
I never in a million years imagined that I would be training for
a marathon. Honestly, I've always told people that I had "zero
desire" to run a full marathon--sure a half here and there, but never a
full marathon. Yet here I am, literally sitting in my sweaty running shorts, in
the middle of training for the ING NYC Marathon.
Many people are surprised when I tell them that I am going to
run 26.2 miles willingly (maybe it's because all of the cookies I eat make it look
like I probably don't run). And sometimes, I even wonder to myself while I'm
running the marathon. 26.2 miles is really far! Like I am going to be
running constantly for, theoretically, around
four hours straight. To put that in perspective, it's pretty much the
distance from my home in Coto de Caza all the way to my office in Newport
Beach. A series of recent events, starting with a trip to NY for the marathon
last year and a couple pep-talks, convinced me to run the ING NYC Marathon this
fall but, the roots of why I am running go a bit deeper.
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| On the Staten Island Ferry heading to provide relief to Hurricane Sandy victims |
I am running the ING NYC Marathon because I believe in the
potential for things to get better. For injuries to heal, for sickness to turn
to health, for frowns to flip into smiles, for a bad yesterday to become a
better tomorrow, for hate to be overcome by love. I am running the ING NYC
Marathon because I believe in the mental and physical growth that comes from
pushing your body past what you think is possible. I believe that we,
as human beings, are stronger than we think we are. We can accomplish amazing
things when we refuse to listen to the haterz (including our own minds and
bodies).
I am running the ING NYC Marathon because, like too many people,
I have lost loved ones to cancer. My Rockstar, my little beloved puppy,
was taken by cancer last fall. Even though he was "just a dog",
his unconditional love everyone he met (and food) is a constant inspiration. My
beautiful grandma, Rosemary, passed away almost seven years ago after a long
battle with breast and liver cancer. Her strength in the face of adversity and
love for her family is what keeps my legs moving on long runs and inspires me
daily to be a better person.
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| Rocky, sadly taken from us by doggie cancer |
As I run, I increase hope for things to get better, the power to
make it happen and I carry with me the memories of Rockstar, Grammie and all of
those who have been taken by this terrible disease.
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| My Grammie, Rosemary, and I back in the day |
I hope that you will take a moment, and a penny or two, to
participate with me in the 2013 ING NYC Marathon. Donating to Team Concern is
super-duper easy and can make all the difference in furthering cancer research.
(For full deets on Team Concern/Concern Foundation clicky here- 95% of all donations go straight to
funding cancer research!).
Go HERE HERE HERE to
donate directly to my fundraising page. With your help I know that I will be
able to reach my goal of raising $3,000 to further cancer research through the
Concern Foundation.
If you're looking to just send good vibes and motivation, feel free
to call/tweet/text/whatever me. And one last time, you can go HEREEEEEEE to donate
to my fundraiser. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so so much for
your support, both in the marathon and in our goal to conquer cancer once
and for all.
Much love and #goteam!
Brooke
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| OC Half Marathon Finisher - Representing Team Concern!! |
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