Marathoner Monday: Brooke Carpenter

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.

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. 

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. 

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 

http://www.teamconcern.org/brookecarpenter

OC Half Marathon Finisher - Representing Team Concern!!

Marathoner Monday: Katie Vickers

As most of you know, last year I had put together a team of 5 runners who collectively raised about $13,000 for Concern Foundation for cancer research and trained for the NYC Marathon.  Due to unforeseen circumstances with the arrival, destruction and devastation of Hurricane Sandy, including an estimated 776,000 people displaced from their homes and over 6 Million people left without power for days, if not weeks, the NYC Marathon was cancelled for the first time in 42 years.  They weren’t joking when they said, “Mother Nature is a B****.”

ING NYC Marathon Expo when I was still sure the race would go on

 On that Sunday, November 4^th, 2012, our scheduled race day, I grabbed my sister-in-law, a fellow Team Concern runner and a backpack full of supplies and took to the streets of the shattered Staten Island with nearly 2,000 other trained marathoners looking for an outlet for our energy.  Our hard work to get that NYC Marathon finish line had become an afterthought, and we just wanted to help those who had been affected by the storm.  Some runners made it as far as Oakwood Beach and cleaned out houses that had been nearly demolished to save trinkets and photos, while some of us organized an evacuation shelter and offered emotional support to those who were in temporary shelter.  While the circumstances were so unfortunate, it was one of those days in my life where I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be in that moment:  representing Concern Foundation, not necessarily for cancer research, but to show that in times of grief, all humanitarian support is just as important as the next and no matter what our chosen cause is to lend relief, sometimes certain philanthropy needs our hands and our hearts more than others.  2012 was not my year to run the NYC Marathon, but I will never forget that day for the rest of my life.

A family I met at a Staten Island Shelter who had been trapped on their roof for 9 hours until Hurricane Sandy Passed

That being said, 2013 is a different story.  This year, Concern Foundation is back as an Official Charity of the NYC Marathon and we have 12 runners with the hope of collectively raising $50,000 for cancer research.  In 2012 my fundraising efforts were in honor of my dear friend Alexandra, who at this time last year was battling an aggressive secondary kind of cancer and being treated by the best oncologists in the country out of MD Anderson.  To re-read her story, click here: http://concernfoundation.blogspot.com/2012/10/running-nyc-for-alexandra.html

This year I am running and fundraising in her honor again, because for the first time in 7-years, just this past May, Alexandra was told she is CANCER FREE.  I can’t say that without getting completely choked up.  Treatment and cures don’t come without groundbreaking efforts at the root of the problem.  Alexandra’s news of being cancer free is a huge moment of pride for the cancer research community, to know that at some point, somewhere, a young, innovative cancer researcher like those of which are funded by organizations like Concern Foundation, was given the chance to explore an idea and now there are cancer survivors because of it.  Alexandra’s life depended on the research and support of organizations like ours.  

The day I met Alexandra in 2010

So I’m asking you today to support Concern Foundation for cancer research, our team of runners who are representing this organization in New York City by running their hearts out, and me, because I wholeheartedly believe in this organization and the mission we are funding to conquer cancer.  I believe in more research, for more survivors like Alexandra.  

Alexandra and I just a few weeks ago at a fundraiser for Walk With Sally

No amount is too small of a donation, as every penny counts in the quest to find a cure.  In addition to making a contribution, if you could forward this on to those friends and family of yours that you think would appreciate this story, or be willing to help, I would be so grateful. Thank you for your support! 

To donate, Click HERE

http://www.crowdrise.com/ConcernFoundationNYC2013/fundraiser/kathrynvickers