Finding the Reason to Run

First the bad news. Last week our aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It's unclear as of right now what the full prognosis is, but we are hoping for the best. Until then, it's time to fight!! I can't speak for Clyde, but this has been some very tough news for me to deal with. She's the aunt that has been most supportive, to me at least, over the years. When I told my family of my "condition" she never batted an eye and gave me a great big hug. I'm so angry that this has happened to her, and I have to do something!! Clyde has run and raised money for the American Cancer Society several times, and you may remember that we ran the Madison Marathon together, raising a few thousand dollars in support of them. I don't want to steal his thunder here, but I need to post when I can find an onramp to the interwebs. He has decided to run both the Green Bay Marathon and the Madison Marathon. Because I'm younger and very competitive, I couldn't let him do this on his own. I've decided that, despite my sevendayaweek job that I can find the time to train for and raise money for these two marathons. Because of my schedule it is going to be difficult to do anything else for our aunt, so at the very least I can show some support in this manner.
Clyde tells me that they are only a week apart, which is going to be the big challenge. Running one marathon is, when said and done, not impossible. Running two is going to be difficult. And that's an understatement. What may make it even more interesting, is that I have decided (sorry Clyde if I'm copying you again) that if I raise $3000 I will run both marathons in a dress.
Yes, it's been worn before, but I've never actually run in it. Finding a pair of panties may be an issue, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. And I promise to deck it out with some rhinestones.

Now on to the running: The plan is quite simple. I'll be working my way back in to things. I need to take it slow, because being on my feet all day leaves me with little opportunity to be lazy because I hurt my knew. I've started a 5K in % weeks plan and will follow that until I can actually run 3.5 miles again. Then depending on how the calendar looks, I'll work up to a 10K before starting marathon training, which I'm pretty sure I have time for.

Today was the first run and it went really well. How far did I go? 10 minutes! That's how far. It felt good and I felt like a million bucks afterward. I was so excited I had to jump in the car and come tell you all.

So that's it. Clyde and I will be attempting something none of us thought we would ever do. 2 marathons in seven days. Yes, we'll be asking you for money, and we may even ask you to support in other ways. Anyone need a scarf? I may be selling them.

Until we meet again. Keep up the running and thank you in advance for your support!!!!

Sixpack Chopra