I'm feeling a little reflective today and I've been thinking a lot about the things and people in my life that keep things real. I recently received an e-mail from a friend that was not so good. To be brief, she has recently found out that she has breast cancer. Being as active in the Leukemia society as I am, it is unfortunately not uncommon that I am exposed to such bad news. It never fails to put things into perspective for me however. Mardie has been a stead fast supporter of me and my efforts with the Leukemia Society and whether she knows it or not, she was one of a few key factors that motivated me to become and stay involved with Team in Training.
At a New Years Eve party 2004, I made a resolution that I was going to start running and that I was going to enter a future running event to help me stay focused and committed. I had no aspirations of running a marathon, I was just going to set a modest goal and strive for that. A friend of mine however, gave me a flyer for an upcoming information meeting for Team in Training. Both my father and father-in-law had passed away from blood cancer so I decided that I would go to the meeting and see what this was all about. Incidentally, I went for my first run on January 3rd and promptly pulled a muscle in my calf. I think I was almost a half a mile into my run when it happened. None the less I went to the meeting and I actually signed up despite being very sceptical of my ability to take on such a challenge as a marathon. I could not fathom running 26.2 miles, but I set my sights on the June 5th Rock'n'Roll marathon in San Diego. At the time I was volunteering in the the library at my sons school. Mardie was the librarian. During a conversation with her I mentioned that I was going to run a marathon with Team in Training and that I was nervous about my ability not only to run, but to raise the money I had committed to. During this conversation I learned that Mardie had herself completed the Honolulu marathon several times and every time for charity. I can't remember exactly haw many marathons it was she had completed, but I remember being blown a way and thoroughly inspired by her accomplishments. I had not yet officially begun my fundraising, but before I knew it Mardie had figured out how to contribute to my cause. Ever since that time there has been a competition between Mardie and I to see who can contribute fastest to each others fundraisers. I'm pretty sure she is winning. Many people helped me that season, but Mardie was the first and that will always make her special to me.
Read more about Mardie through her blog mardiesmarathon.blogspot.com.