#milesfor

[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]

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]

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]

Mile 1400

As the rain comes down in Denver, I can't help but dwell on the obstacles that have been thrown my way this month.

Sickness, floods, work. You name it, it hasn't stopped. 

While the obstacles haven't stopped, it seems that Nike has stopped. What I mean is that Nike has stopped congratulating me. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. It means that I have run SO much that they've run out of things to say. It's like "Oh, Caroline ran again? Cool, what else is new?"

Well Nike, I only have one thing to say: I am going to keep running and I am going to run 2013 miles this year in honor of my parents. So watch out. Oh ya, and donate to my American Cancer Society page.

[milesforcancer]

The power of human spirit is very much alive...

I've been sick the past week so my mileage to start off the month is lacking.  Therefore I'll have to average around 6.7 for the rest of the month. I'm not worried, I'll just have to pick up the urgency! Mile 1377!

[milesforcancer]

26.2 Miles For...

Those affected by the horrific events at the Boston marathon today. The Boston marathon is one of most sought after and truly badass races in the world. It is a day of inspiration and celebration in Boston, with hundreds of thousands of people watching and cheering on the few runners that qualify. Having gone to Tufts University, as well as my sister and her husband, this race strikes a more meaningful tone. My brother-in-law has ran this race multiple times and I've gone to cheer him on. In honor of those who went out to run today and were hurt or killed, I'm going to dedicate the next 26.2 miles to them. Although this is not directly running for cancer as I vow to do, I think it's important to honor these runners and their dedication to running.