One of my BIG motivators for running is Lung Cancer, specifically running with the Lung Cancer Alliance's Team Lung Love. Team Lung Love runs Marathons and Half Marathons across the US all with the goal of raising funds for the Lung Cancer Alliance.
A little bit about the Lung Cancer Alliance, it is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to providing support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for Lung Cancer. Having referred several people to the Lung Cancer Alliance and have gotten huge THANK YOU in return for the support and information the Lung Cancer Alliance was able to provide; I am even more convinced I picked the right Lung Cancer advocacy organization to become involved with.
Check out the Lung Cancer Alliance website for all the services they offer the Lung Cancer patient, those at risk for Lung Cancer, and the families and caregivers of Lung Cancer patients. Truly an amazing and wonderful group of people. I'm honored to have met (and run) with many of them!!
The Lung Cancer Alliance and it's supporters, along with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PAN CAN) lobbied federal hill to ensure the Recalcitrant Cancer Act was published into law. Today the President signed this in to law!! What does this legislation included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, require? It requires the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop scientific frameworks for addressing cancers with survival rates of less than 50%, with first priority attention to lung and pancreatic cancers. See the Press Release for more detailed information.
This is one of the reasons I run. I am motivated by this cause, my mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2007, she is a 5 year survivor. There is a 15% 5 year survival rate, the same as it has been since Nixon declared War on Cancer in 1971. Many other cancers are survivable, people live with them like any chronic condition. Someday, and sooner rather than later with this landmark legislation, Lung Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer patients will be living with the disease and not dying from it. Why do I run? My mother would not let me shave my head in support of her loosing her hair through chemo, she suggested I find something more productive to do than be bald in the middle of winter. She then proceeded to remind me how I was nearly three before my hair actually started growing and now that I had hair, why mess with success. Even in the throws of chemo and chemo brain she was on her game!!! My father found the link to Team Lung Love and forwarded it to me with a note saying "This may be a better option than shaving your head."
Most people I run with have lost a family member to Lung Cancer. A few of them are even surviving WITH Lung Cancer!!! At times I feel so guilty my mother has survived, when so many mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives lives have ended far to early from this bastard of a disease. Once I get out of my funk, I remember that it is the survivors and the loved ones of those lost to Lung Cancer that can and will make the difference. They shout out, No More Lung Cancer. No More Excuses. Would the Breast Cancer mortality rates have plummeted so dramatically if the women, and the men, surviving Breast Cancer,and their families, didn't band together to increase awareness about the disease and funding for a cure? They were able to take advantage of Nixon's War on Cancer, kudos for them! Now it is time for Lung Cancer, the Recalcitrant Cancer Act kicks it up a notch (in the infamous words of Emeril Lagasse) bringing Lung Cancer out of the shadows, ensuring people can be diagnosed earlier when there is a fighting chance of managing and defeating this disease!!!
I have so many supporters, both who financially donate to the Lung Cancer Alliance for the races I run and who encourage me when the going gets tough and I feel like giving up.
Thank you all! You all are a part of this landmark legislation!!!
Sincerely,
Beth, who sees no problem with the date of 1/3/13!! Double thirteens mean good tidings!!
PS OH yeah, I did run today. 3.6 miles in 20 F. My fashion consultant would have had a coronary had she seen my outfit. Orange and white striped hat, green shirt, black and white skirt with black capris and black socks with blue polka dots finished off by dark gray Asics with green and purple accents. I was quite the sight to behold. Channeling Blossom, perhaps? One of my co-workers actually stopped me and said "Beth, you usually are so pulled together what the hell happened?" as I was skittering out of the gym to start my run. At that point I KNEW it was bad if these words came out of a guys mouth. Alas, I did not snap a picture, it may have broken the camera!!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Chapter 2013, Page 1 - Goals
Left off yesterday with the goal of setting goals...
My first goal of this year was to actually run the Frosty 5K in Guilford CT. DONE! Chip time of 28:05, not a shabby way to start off the New Year. I was desperate to relieve the snot situation in my nose, my spitting habit is unladylike enough, I didn't want to add in a farmers blow... the crud cough held off until the 3 block walk back to my car. I expected that. Should have gotten an inhaler, that would have helped. It was a cough very much like the exercise induced asthma coughs I had when I first started running... so enough about my bodily functions. The race, it was a fun race, flat, pretty, nice runners and walkers who stayed in the back of the corral, thank you!!
In the process of taking this picture I lost the Nathan bib holder thingys I purchased. Crap. I need to learn to pay attention. Hopefully another runner in need of bib holder thingys found them and picked them up and will use them. I'd hate to see them get thrown away. Guess I'll need to go back and get a new set. Whoopsie. This time I'll stick them in my purse and not try and balance them the bib a piece of paper and the shirt... This is what I get for not taking a bag, but I didn't need a bag, I had a perfectly suitable hand bag or even deep pockets in my Pea Coat in which to stash said thingys. I did notice the store had the audio version of Born to Run. I've been off and on reading the book, it holds my interest but I only seem to have time to read just before bed and I fall asleep and have to back track a page or two. Hmmm... there is always the library, where 90% of my audio books come from. And you can see how I get distracted by bright shiny objects, no?
So goals:
Running - 1,500 miles, 1 race per month, 2 marathons, one with the Lung Cancer Alliances's Team Lung Love, 6 1/2 marathons. Think that is reasonable. I've been working on my race calendar for 2013 and I can fit all of that in I am sure.
Reading - 115 books, I know not much of a stretch from this year where I read/listened to 116. I may incorporate audio books into my running play list. I'll have to contemplate this. 4 hour long run once a week would get me through a short book every couple of months?
Knitting - yes, I know this is a running blog, but it is also about living life. I am going to hold to the 10 pair of socks. When my parents house burned, all the socks I knitted for them were lost. I think a goal of knitting them a couple pair of new socks and a few other people socks would inspire me. I have enough knitted socks!
Diet - ? Hmm.... I've only ever set a weight goal with Weight Watchers, and I have hit my 1 year maintenance anniversary. What I have been super lax on is counting points and I know my portion sizes are getting on the high side, so my goal will be to weigh, measure, and track a minimum of 4 days a week.
Think that will do it. Four things important to me in my daily life.
How do you set goals? What sort of goals have you set? How do you or do you reward yourself for achieving your goals?
Sincerely,
Beth with the first action item off the 2013 to do list!
My first goal of this year was to actually run the Frosty 5K in Guilford CT. DONE! Chip time of 28:05, not a shabby way to start off the New Year. I was desperate to relieve the snot situation in my nose, my spitting habit is unladylike enough, I didn't want to add in a farmers blow... the crud cough held off until the 3 block walk back to my car. I expected that. Should have gotten an inhaler, that would have helped. It was a cough very much like the exercise induced asthma coughs I had when I first started running... so enough about my bodily functions. The race, it was a fun race, flat, pretty, nice runners and walkers who stayed in the back of the corral, thank you!!
 |
| Long sleeved cotton shirt, perfect for hanging around in! Plus the snowman is cute! |
In the process of taking this picture I lost the Nathan bib holder thingys I purchased. Crap. I need to learn to pay attention. Hopefully another runner in need of bib holder thingys found them and picked them up and will use them. I'd hate to see them get thrown away. Guess I'll need to go back and get a new set. Whoopsie. This time I'll stick them in my purse and not try and balance them the bib a piece of paper and the shirt... This is what I get for not taking a bag, but I didn't need a bag, I had a perfectly suitable hand bag or even deep pockets in my Pea Coat in which to stash said thingys. I did notice the store had the audio version of Born to Run. I've been off and on reading the book, it holds my interest but I only seem to have time to read just before bed and I fall asleep and have to back track a page or two. Hmmm... there is always the library, where 90% of my audio books come from. And you can see how I get distracted by bright shiny objects, no?
So goals:
Running - 1,500 miles, 1 race per month, 2 marathons, one with the Lung Cancer Alliances's Team Lung Love, 6 1/2 marathons. Think that is reasonable. I've been working on my race calendar for 2013 and I can fit all of that in I am sure.
Reading - 115 books, I know not much of a stretch from this year where I read/listened to 116. I may incorporate audio books into my running play list. I'll have to contemplate this. 4 hour long run once a week would get me through a short book every couple of months?
Knitting - yes, I know this is a running blog, but it is also about living life. I am going to hold to the 10 pair of socks. When my parents house burned, all the socks I knitted for them were lost. I think a goal of knitting them a couple pair of new socks and a few other people socks would inspire me. I have enough knitted socks!
Diet - ? Hmm.... I've only ever set a weight goal with Weight Watchers, and I have hit my 1 year maintenance anniversary. What I have been super lax on is counting points and I know my portion sizes are getting on the high side, so my goal will be to weigh, measure, and track a minimum of 4 days a week.
Think that will do it. Four things important to me in my daily life.
How do you set goals? What sort of goals have you set? How do you or do you reward yourself for achieving your goals?
Sincerely,
Beth with the first action item off the 2013 to do list!
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