This is my third year “running against cancer.” What started as a way to honor a friend who battled, and lost her fight, against the disease, has now become a part of what I just do. Just like running is now a part of my identify, participating in Relay for Life is what I do. With friends and family supporting me, I like to hope that when I tackle a challenge, I not only support the fight against cancer, but I also inspire and encourage someone else facing challenges themselves that they can overcome them.
I can’t even imagine who Allison would be if she didn’t run. And I’m grateful that I am healthy (enough) to be able to crank out a few miles whenever and wherever I want. I think about the friends and neighbors who are affected by this disease – there are so many of them and we all know someone who has been touched by cancer. In some small way, I hope that I’ve built a community of Runner Chick supporters to make an impact. Just knowing that someone is supporting you in your fight against a disease like cancer makes a difference. I might not be the one to find a cure since that isn’t my profession – but I can show support and make sure that someone else has the community they need because of my actions.
So I run. It is something that you can get people cheering around you so that you reach a goal. There isn’t anything better than crossing the finish line at a race and knowing you accomplished something. Well, that is why I run. So that others have the same feeling of accomplishment. If I can do it, so can you, and we can do it together to continue fighting a disease as a community. There is strength in numbers.
Thank you for joining the Runner Chick community with either your donation to Relay for Life, or the encouragement you’ve given me as I tackle this challenge to run against cancer. I can’t wait to see my army of Runner Chicks on Saturday June 9 at the track helping me click off 105 (and a half!) laps!
