Miles For Cancer

Running with a purpose, all year long. Just as the American Cancer Society does, my hope is to contribute to the fight against cancer. I want to do this in a seemingly impossible way, by running 2013 miles in 365 days— I have been inspired by my parents, who were diagnosed with cancer just one month a part from each other, at the time a seemingly impossible circumstance to overcome. They are my reminder that anything is possible. That is why this year for Christmas I would like to give them the gift of giving to others in their same circumstance.

[milesforcancer]

Rest Day 1

I guess if rest day had a view, it would be something like this:

I kind of like this training business...

[milesforcancer]

Miles for Cancer is up and running again! (literally)

After the year I ran my shins to the ground raising money and awareness for cancer, I’ve finally fallen back in love with running.

Here’s the low down: I’m going to do something I’ve never done in the name of running before...TRAIN.

Running 2013 miles in 2013 took discipline but training for weeks leading up to an event takes a different kind of discipline, one that I’ve never experienced and am committed to documenting over the next 10 weeks. 

I truly believe that the first step in reaching a goal is telling a bunch of people right off the bat, so they can hold you accountable along the way. I am running the half with close friends and we are sticking with this “rookie” plan I found: http://www.marathonrookie.com/support-files/10weekhalfmarathonschedule.pdf 

So, today I set out on my first 3 miler of training... and now that I’ve told you my goal, will you hold me accountable too?

[milesforcancer]

Last #run of #2013 on Vancouver Island with @Ianroop

[milesforcancer]

The year is over. 2013 miles in 2013. Happy 2014!

[milesforcancer]

BAU

2,003 miles down, 10 miles to go. It's like the never-ending-marathon same-old-nightmare: I have a number just like everyone else but I feel like for some reason people are only watching my hideously slow ass pace. As I see the little boy with the megaphone screaming words of encouragement my heart sinks. I do the inevitable 'speed-up-for-a-second-to-make-it-look-like-I'm-not-dying' run and with it comes the inevitable cramping, huffing, and puffing. I have that awkward squint smile on my face while everyone and their mother joyfully bounds past me; the 10-year-old girl, the entire army with their huge boots and hazmat suits (oh ya and they're doing 100 push-ups every mile), the 76-year-old man with his grandson on his shoulders. Seriously, does anyone else wonder where these people come from? "Only ten miles left!", that little megaphone boy screams...'dude, is he following me?' Legs about to fall off, survival mode sets in. The last ten miles. The second I pass that finish line I'm definitely using that free miller lite ticket. Then, I wake up from my nightmare. My mom is there, greeting me as I wake up, "Next year are you going to swim 2014 miles?" In your dreams...

[milesforcancer]

I've run from Ridgefield, CT to Rifle, CO this year... And there's still 8 days.

[milesforcancer]

Celebrating the #solstice with my last 5 at 5 of the year ... See ya #2013

[milesforcancer]

#moon was the only one who made it out for the #night #run

[milesforcancer]

Make one day this one.

Saw it on a tshirt... Ok top 5 things I'm looking forward to in 2014 (holy crap 2 weeks): 1. Climbing. I haven't had any time to climb and it's my favorite! Those 2 free hours in the evenings will be for climbing in 2014! 2. Sleeping in past 5 (am). I mean this should probably be number one but waking up early doesn't bother me much. Unless of course it's 20 degrees and I have to put up 5 miles... Then it's truly hell. 3. Running in the daylight. Really this should be "running on my own accord". I'm not gonna lie I'd rather use my headlamp for backpacking but of recent it's been my best friend since I can only run when it's dark out. 4. Not having to run with a hangover. This is a legitimate issue... and it sucks really bad. 5. Not being a Cheesman Park regular anymore. I love you guys but I'm actually looking forward to not spending my Sundays with you people anymore. This will, indeed, be the longest two weeks of my life.

[milesforcancer]

Morning #ski to sunset #run

[milesforcancer]

December

Good news: one month left. Bad news: one month left. Rounding this last month is a bittersweet moment. I've said since I started that I can't wait for 2014. Plenty of people have asked me what's on the agenda for next year, even joking that I could run 2014 miles (I don't think I could even if I tried). I've always responded that I'm not going to do anything. But I think that's a lie. I've gotten so deep in this journey that running has become a part of me like a limb. I can't not run. I plan my days around it and get anxious thinking that if I skip a day then I might have to make it up later. Hopefully next year my anxiousness will go away. For now I'm going to focus on meeting my goal: 2013 in 2013. 31 days, 140 miles, 4.5 miles a day.

[milesforcancer]

You know I can't sleep in... 7@7 #run

[milesforcancer]

Grit.

Today marks my final 2 months and 300 miles. The belief that you can achieve something comes from within. With grit and courage, you can accomplish anything.

Off for a run.

[milesforcancer]

26!

My brother-in-law wished me warm sentiments on my birthday this morning and reminded me of the pivotal number that is 26. 

26 is a number associated with running. It is the basis for long distance runs such as the marathon. 

Turning 26 could not have come at a more symbolic time. Running 2013 miles this year and turning 26 marks the significance of running for my parents and persevering in difficult times. 

Much opportunity lies ahead for me in my 26th year!

[milesforcancer]

So proud of everyone running the Rock and Roll Marathon today! I've never ran a marathon and I'm not sure I ever will but these people are awesome. I'm not going to lie I'm definitely tearing up a little watching these runners when I'm injured. 26.2!

[milesforcancer]

I need your help.

There has never been a point in my life where I have felt like I can't do whatever I put my mind to. So naturally, when I decided to take on more positions at school, study for the GMAT coming up in a month, and run 2013 miles, I figured being the girl who can do it all would be able to just, well,... do it. 

I know I can still accomplish all of my goals, and I know I will (I think), now I've crossed a whole other ball game. I'm sick. I have an infection that won't go away because I think I've just stretched myself a little too thin. I am having to rest and change my diet. It sucks.

That's where I need your help. I need help knowing that I can do this. I need support from my family and friends to keep me going. I've got to imagine that this is what people go through when fighting an illness and needing support from others to get through it. It's hard not to want to throw in the towel; I'm human. I need other humans too.

It would be absolutely devastating for me not to complete 2013 miles. In fact, it's not really an option in my mind. However I get there, by the time January 1, 2014 hits, I will have run 2013 miles. 

All I am asking for is a little help.

[milesforcancer]

October

The first of October brings a new month and a new opportunity. A slew of new chances. A chance to better my health, a chance to better myself, a chance to reach 2013 miles.