The Beginning is a Great Place to Start

I thought it would be great to begin my blogging endeavor by describing the series of events and decision making process that ultimately landed me as part of the American Cancer Society DetermiNation Team.

The weekend of October 10th, 2010 I traveled to Chicago, Illinois to cheer on my good friends Casey, Kristen, Lindsey, and Amy as they tackled the Chicago Marathon. I've never been a spectator for an endurance event quite like this.



Amy, Casey, Lindsey and Kristen as they gear up for the start.



What an AWESOME experience. The streets were lined with people and you could feel the excitement from the runners and the crowd.

Casey and Kristen enjoying life around mile 9.

I've run a half marathon and a marathon relay, but nothing paralleled this experience. After witnessing the hard work and dedication put forth by all those runners, I was inspired to tackle my first marathon...Then I got back home and realized I'm pretty content just being a dog walker :)

Flash forward to February 2011: I tackled a 5K, without really practicing, in honor of Jaime's birthday (and Mardi Gras). I had a pretty good time, so I decided why not try another half marathon and if all goes well, maybe a marathon. Training for the half marathon began in March and I realized that I really enjoyed running. It gives me a purpose for exercise and puts an extra pep in my step the whole day through. In June I ventured back to Chicago for the 13.1, but unfortunately as I neared the 12th mile, the race was called due to heat.

Feeling slightly underwhelmed from the racing experience and knowing marathon training for the St. Louis Rock 'N Roll Marathon would need to begin in the next few weeks, I was waiting for a sign to help me decide what to do. One Friday evening I got a call from my college roomie Lindsay. I was super excited to hear she was in town but soon found out it was because her mom had been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was stunned. I didn't know what to say or what to do.

A few days after that news, I learned that my grandfather's PSA level had creeped up high enough that they felt they needed to do a biopsy and perhaps start treatment for his prostate cancer. Prior to this week I had been very fortunate and not had cancer so closely associated with family or friends, but oh how quickly that changed. Again, I felt pretty helpless and wanted to help but wasn't sure how. Less than a week after getting all the cancer news, I received a Living Social Deal that would provide me with resources for marathon training and in return I would raise money for the American Cancer Society. In the words of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour- "Here's your sign". Thanks Living Social.