Sense of Purpose

I realize that it has been over a month since I have posted. I have had so much to share but have failed to find the time or the right words. I had a PR (personal record) in Hyannis, I am fighting injuries, did a 3 hour arc trainer session with Tracie and Amy, and with less than a month away, I am finally starting my fundraising.

Both in in 2008 and this year, I have had the opportunity to make amazing friends and continue to strengthen friendships through DFMC. Some individuals are seasoned veteran marathon runners while others are nervously anticipating crossing the marathon finish line on Boylston for the first time.

I am grateful for my DFMC family and for the relationships I have built and that will continue after the marathon is over.

Last weekend, a small group went out to the Great Boston Running Company for our last run of the season out of the store. Our runs from GBRC follow the Minuteman Bike train out and back. Due to injury, Jack recommended that I do 60 minutes and a walk run. I was nervous to do this by myself, no less in the pouring rain/monsoon that hit the Northeast last weekend. My friend Glen asked me before the run how I was feeling. I explained to him my anxiety about doing the run/walk alone. Glen put is so simply, "Run with a sense of Purpose".

I woke up on March 13th to rain and wind without a sense of purpose. I showed up at GBRC and started my slow run walk with first time Boston marathoner, Maggie. Maggie and I have built a strong friendship over the last few months having faced similar situations and frustrations. As Maggie and I started running, we started discussing happiness and life. In the back of my head, I was thinking about purpose. We all have a purpose on this earth, but do we always find our purpose? How do we make sure we live our lives to our greatest potential and give back?

As I bid good-bye to Maggie at the 30 minute mark, I felt good but realized something was missing. Why do I get up at 6:45am every Saturday to run? Why do I go out in rain just to run six miles? Because I have a purpose. My purpose is to honor those who have battled cancer. My purpose is to help fight this disease. My purpose is to make a difference.

On Saturday and once again during my 5 mile run this past Thursday, I thought about my Dad. His memory seems to push me through the hard part of my day or that last hill. But I have so many more people to honor: friends, acquaintances, and loved ones. I honor those families who have battled this disease. I honor those who may be diagnosed and will gracefully and courageously fight.

This morning when I attempt to run, I will tell myself stories about these people. I will think about the following individuals and more:

My Dad
My grandmother
My friend Shoshana's Mother
My old colleague Linda
My friend Phil's Mother
My Oxy classmate Erica

I will run with purpose. I will run for myself and others. I will run because I can. I will run to come one step closer to curing cancer. I will find my purpose on the roads and the hills. I will try to find purpose when my calves tighten up, when my glutes start to ache. But above all else, I will run with purpose.