Thursday, May 2, 2013

I Did It

Well, yesterday I did something that I knew I would do again one day - but I just didn't think it would be this year.......I signed up for my 2nd marathon!!  I did the St Jude Marathon this past year.  It was ugly, but I finished.  I knew I would do another one some day but didn't have a timeline planned.  Well, I have that timeline now - my 2nd marathon will again be the St Jude Marathon this December here in Memphis.  The special part of this is that I will be running as a Hero which means I will be raising money for St Jude.

I have run both the half marathon and marathon as a Hero.  There is something about this race and the run through the St Jude campus that really puts not only the race, but life in perspective.  The accomplishment of a marathon is HUGE, but it is nothing in comparison to the race that these children and their families are in.

The year that I ran the half marathon it hit me two days before the race that I had never thought about the emotions that would hit me during the race.  I had prepared physically for the race but had no clue what to expect emotionally.  I quickly learned that year that there is no suppressing the emotions that you feel as you see the children, families, and hospital staff of St Jude supporting you during your run.  Then near mile 5 is the party of running through the St Jude campus.

Last year during the marathon the emotions hit just after mile 3.  I had been reading the blog of a local family whose child was being treated at St Jude.  That child was in remission (and still is).  As I was running up 2nd St just past AutoZone park, I looked up to not only see the team supporting that child, but the child was there having the time of his life!!

Families and children like that are the reason we run this race.

This race sold out in record time last year and I expect it will do the same again this year.  Every year a record is set in the amount of money that is raised by the Heroes   I believe nearly $6 million was raised last year - yet that will only operate the hospital for ~3 days.

Once I get my website set up I will be posting it on here.  I have committed to raising at least $500 this year. St Jude is one of my favorite charities and I hope that you will help me in supporting the hospital as they work to find a cure for childhood cancers.

Our group before the 2012 St Jude Marathon
~Kathryn

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