Cancer sucks. Everyone reading this that has had a friend, family member, loved one or co-worker affected by cancer, nod your head “yes” and keep reading.
I bet that captured about 99.9% of you.
Last year, I did something completely out of my comfort zone and accomplished a goal that I couldn’t imagine myself attempting, much less completing. My only regret is the reason that I felt it necessary to do it.
Last January, the Great Harvest family lost a precious member, Mauri Booton, to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I’ve lost several family members to cancer and had seen up close how devastating it could be. But, I never thought we’d lose Mauri. I just didn’t. He
was the survivor. He’d kicked cancer’s ass and continued the fight by raising thousands of dollars for cancer research and family support. He volunteered at the same center where he’d been treated to give hope to those with uncertain futures.
But after a couple of years of his cancer being in control, it came back. The week he began a new round of treatments he spiked a fever and passed away less than 24 hours later. I was devastated. And to say that I lost a friend that day is not the whole picture. I had lost a hero. The world lost someone, like all cancer victims, who made this place better.
His wife, Mary, had been in training for a half-marathon in San Diego to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. Returning from Mauri’s memorial service in Des Moines, I sat in the Minneapolis airport on a three-hour layover with a lot of time to think. Three weeks before, I had come out of a walking boot recovering from a spiral fracture in my right foot. My ankle had been popped out of the socket years ago in a car accident so it has its bad days as well. While I had already decided to be on the sidelines in San Diego to cheer Mary on, I started thinking about the idea of doing the race along side of her. But, me? Do 13.1 miles? That would be crazy. Right?
What I discovered is that with the right motivation, supportive friends, family, co-workers and Team in Training behind you, it can be done, even by someone who has never attempted this type of event. The Team in Training program is phenomenal and the world’s oldest and biggest marathon/half marathon training program. In over 20 years of work, they have raised over $1 Billion dollars for cancer research and helped tens of hundreds of thousands of people get across the finish line. They get you motivated, keep you on pace and help with your fundraising efforts. They cater to all fitness levels, but 85% of those who participate are first timers…like me.
I can’t begin to describe what it felt like to cross the finish line. But, my most cherished memories are of the people who cheered us on from the side of the road. They held signs saying “Thank you from a cancer survivor!” ... “Thanks for helping my dad!”… and on and on.
I’m not writing all of this to say “Look what I did.” Rather, to say “Look what YOU can do.” If you knew that walking or running 13 or 26 miles could save someone you love, would you do it? We all know someone who’s been affected by cancer. Someone you know may be diagnosed tomorrow. Isn’t it time we found the cure?
You can help. Join a local chapter of TNT in your community by searching their website: www.teamintraining.org If you’re like me and you live in a more rural area, you can join through TNT Flex and participate through online training and support. There are several events held throughout the year in cities across the U.S.
Great Harvest will be sending a team of bakery owners and franchise employees to participate in this year’s event in San Diego and hosting fundraising events all across the country this spring.
Join a team. You will never regret the effort and will always cherish the experience. We can cure cancer – one step at a time. I hope to see you on the race course!
Sign up at www.teamintraining.org
Team in Training offers:
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· 5-6 Month Training Program The time of your life.
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