Racing to Save Lives

October 18, 2009

MARATHON COMPLETED!

My time was 4:40:11 which was in the range I was expecting so I feel great about that. I also finished feeling like I could have kept going or that I could have gone a little faster - both of which made me feel that it is pretty likely this is not my last one. I met a guy on the course today running a little slower than me that was on his 17th of the year and his 117th overall! He just kept going.

Des Moines

First, the course. The city of Des Moines is such a lovely place. Seriously. The course started downtown which felt clean and organized and there were so many volunteers there helping make the event happen. We started running towards the state capitol with morning sun reflecting off a classical gold dome, very relaxing actually. After a few miles in the business district which included the cheering support of my family, we went past a new sculpture garden, an amazing looking library and then up a hill which led into a beautiful residential district. They definitely took us through the nive part of town which is what you should do when 6500 people come for your race.

One of the neatest things were the number of people in these neighborhoods having outdoor parties for the race which included music of all kinds, not only for the runners but for the parties. We made our way on the Drake University campus where we got to run on the football stadium track and had our pictures up on the scoreboard video screen. 8 of the later miles wound through Des Moines's Water Works Park which was just fabulous. Lakes, trees, fields, playgrounds, picnic tables. It's very close to town and claims to be twice the size of Central Park. We left the park on mile 24 and were back in downtown and finished where we started downtown - and again I was greeted by cheering Gilberts.

The Team

Simply, there is no way I would have done this by myself - and I think there is no way anyone else in our group would have done it by themselves either. Fior many of us, making commitments is an entirely different experience when we do it publicly and with others. We set expectations for ourselves but we also do not want ot let our partners down. Being on the Team in Training (TNT)made me commit to raising money to fight cancer and complete the marathon - people were counting on me. That's a different experience than commiting to myself where it is much easier for me to justify breaking a routine or accomplishing a goal. I need a teammate to help me stop biting my fingernails!

Wearing the purple jersey from TNT also means that I am a member of a team that has thousands of members over 21 years around the country. I was reminded just how special that was when a man wearing a TNT shirt from Illinois found me at the end of the race and thanked me for helping to save his daughter's life. He explained that is daughter - now 10 - is approaching her five-year anniversary of being cancer free. Being personally thanked by this father for helping to save his child's life was humbling, gratifying, meaningful, and tear-inducing.

Hard Work

Training and completing this marathon was hands-down the hardest work I have ever done in my life for anything outside of being a parent. I thought a lot about hard work throughout the race today and I realized that my experiences with truly hard work have been in short bursts. This was an experience of sustained hard work by choice no less, that involves complete physical and mental exhaustion.

What's next?

I'm planning on doing the Lincoln Half Marathon in the spring 2010, hopefully with my TNT buddies and then I'm going to seriously start looking for another one to do next fall. Let me know if you are interested!

October 11, 2009

ONE WEEK TO GO. This has actually been the hardest week of training so far. The physical part has been easy as our training schedule tapers off considerably after the 20-miler in late September, but the concentration is really starting to wane and I am thankful that this race is coming up so fast. It is hard for me to believe that it is dificult to get motivated for 4 and 6 mile runs after doing 15, 17, and 20 but that is how it has been. Fortunately I run with a great gropu of teammates that give me a pickup not with rah rah type stuff but just companionship, mixed in with taking some shots at each other about age, running clothes, and new habits. The race is in Des Moines, right now the weather looks like it will be in the 50s and cloudy which should be fine. Hopefully it will stay dry.

I am looking forward to crossing that finish line. And even though this is obviously a project that raises money to help sick people I would be lying if I said I'm only doing this for others. A big part of this project is being able to see if I am able to complete this, and for me to throw myself into some hard work. It is hard work, I am doing well at it and the next week will be the hardest. The week will be mentally hard and Sunday will add the physical challenge with the race itself.

Thank you all for your support and thoughts, I simply could not have done any of this alone.

Update October 6, 2009

12 Days to go until the race. I am feeling very good about the physical and mental aspects of this. Now, "very good" does not mean that this will be just a day jogging around Des Moines. It means that I understand how hard this will be and that I am capable of doing it.

One of the best things about deciding to do this marathon has been proving to myself that I can work hard for a sustained period of time on something. It has been awhile since I've worked that way on anything other than raising my children so it is personally invigorating to know that I am capable of an effort of this magnitude.

I am not worried about the first 18 miles, a little concerned about miles 19-22 and just plain uncertain about 22 - 25 I suspect the last one will fly by. I have complete confidence in my physical ability to do this, I'm worried about too many thoughts of "what am I doing out here again?" I've been fortunate to meet a great group of running partners for this and we've kept each other going so far. I love that there is very little rah-rah stuff and a lot more just converstaion to keep the day moving. Thanks TNT running buddies!

Update September 2, 2009

Okay, time to admit that now the physical part of this training is feeling like very hard work. I ran 15 miles on Sunday and am going for 17 early Friday morning. Blisters, bloody toes, chafing, and sore knees starting to impact the experience. I'm still thoroughly enjoying this and see myself already hooked to running in a group but the motivation to keep going is hard to find when my body starts hurting.

Update August 22, 2009

Wow. I've made it to $3000 raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm proud of my friends who have supported me and I'm proud of myself for making this happen. Reaching this milestone means many things but I think the biggest surprise has been that it has changed the way that I see my time and effort in training for the marathon. Plainly, this has been so so worth my time and effort because I am convinced that the money and time that we have shared will make genuine impacts on real people. Knowing that I have been a catalyst for helping others is a profoundly humbling experience for me.

Onward to 15 miles this weekend, then 17 in New Orleans then 20 here in Omaha before the big run in Des Moines on October 18.

Update July 30, 2009

The 3k challenge

Great response on the first day of my own personal challenge. Two people have pledged up to $250 each to match the donations of new TNT donors. That means I am looking for 10 first time donors at $25 each who will be able to TRIPLE their impact because of this match. Today was the first day and Nicole and the Nashes kicked it off for me, thanks so much!

Update July 29, 2009

Training is going really well, I'm surprised by how much I am enjoying it. I feel as good about myself physically as I have in a long long time. The real breakthrough for me has been understanding how much of this process is a mental exercise and how much is a physical one. I've learned to concentrate in a new way, to stay committed to an idea for a lot longer and learned to relax while moving. Very healthy for me in so many ways!

I'm looking forward to running with my friend and TNT inspiration Julie Tyson Westcott this weekend in San Diego. Julie has fought back against leukemia multiple times and continues to run, run, run. I haven't seen her in 18 years so we'll have plenty to talk about during our run.

May 2009

"Your child has cancer."

I've never had to hear that sentence, and I've decided to do what I can, right now, to help ensure that I never will.

Too often, too many of us wait until it is too late to act - we become connected with causes, issues, and people after something has been taken away. I am determined to be proactive in beating leukemia and lymphoma for everyone, and I hope you'll join me.

For my part, I have begun training for the Des Moines Marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT) program. I will be running the race in October to raise awareness of the society's mission and to join thousands of volunteers across the country in celebrating what we are capable of accomplishing.

As part of the team, I am committed to raising at least $1,800 to further the Society's important work.

You can join me on this journey by making a gift to the Society - a remarkable organization that has been instrumental in the fight against cancer. Since 1960, the survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukemia has jumped from 4% to 79%. The society's support of cancer research and services to patients has played a crucial role in this success. Last year alone, LLS made 6.3 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. This work not only saves lives, it improves lives.

Large or small, your donation will make a difference in the life of someone living with cancer or someone working to treat cancer. The easiest and fastest way to make a gift is through this secure website, click on the donate now button to the right. You can also mail a check payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and mail it to me at 530 South 51st Ave. Omaha NE 68106. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

I've been inspired by two friends from different parts of my life who have both defeated leukemia and a third friend who is a front-line cancer researcher in one of the country's most advanced labs. Their stories and the stories of the cancer patients that you have known remind us of the fragility of life and the resolution to live.

I will stop waiting for bad news in order to spur action, will you join me by making a gift now?

Wishing you peace and love,

Dan