Two days before my 35th birthday I had an idea. Now me and ideas, we go hand in hand; don't get me wrong. Some of my ideas have been great. This idea I said "I could do something totally amazing, be helpful, and in the end I'd kick ass."
Annabelle was still spending her days and nights in NICU at Comer Children's Hospital at University of Chicago. The day I visited her there I sat in the Ronald McDonald House Family Room waiting my turn. I saw families come and go through to see their little loved ones. There was coffee and donuts for anyone who wanted them. There was a movie playing and overall the room was as peaceful as you might imagine it to be given the circumstances.
Daily Jill and Matt made the nearly 150 mile round trip to be with Annabelle as she grew and got stronger. I will never even begin to understand their emotions daily. Furthermore I will never understand the families like theirs. Annabelle was in NICU/TCU for 37 days. There are families that spend even longer periods than that. And the Ronald McDonald House helps them all.
And thus an idea came to my mind.
When I started this crazy journey I eventually made it my goal to run a 5k. I've long blown that out of the water completing 5 half marathons, 3 sprint distance triathlons, and a Half Ironman. I laughed at one time and said if I ever ran a marathon I'd want my first marathon to be the Chicago Marathon. It's iconic. It's supposed to be beautiful. It goes through Chicago.
And thus my idea was going to be kick ass.
On June 7, 2016 I joined Team Ronald McDonald House Charities to run the Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 and committed to raising at least $1,500 to #keepfamiliesclose. I was ecstatic when I hit submit and made my commitment.
I've been training to run 26.2 miles. I can do this, I know. I raced 70.3 miles, now yes 56 of those were on a bike and I'm a strong cyclist. But I can run 26.2 miles, if I have to walk some of it ... so be it. Me out there running through 29 different neighborhoods with over 40,000 other participants and more than one million spectators ... I can do this. Because you know what? In my mind accomplishing this goal and the pain I'm bound to endure doing it, beating the mental blocks that will inevitable come up ... I'd honestly take this than ever having to go through what families who are assisted by the Ronald McDonald House Charities goes though.
Remember how I said I know some families spend even longer with assistance from Ronald McDonald House? I know another family, and it's through Social Media we met. I followed Katie on Instagram. As a fellow runner who has had success with weight loss through running, but also has a love of ice cream ... she's a great and super positive person to follow.
Katie and I have now met, and since we live in two different states you might be wondering how this happened. Katie's dear niece is going through Chemotherapy and they are staying at a local Ronald McDonald House. In addition, Katie has also run the Chicago Marathon as part of Team RMHC.
The world is a crazy place and I never lose sight of that. Even if it's one crazy idea after another of mine. I never lose sight. I'm still raising funds and if you'd like to help ... I won't stop you, Annabelle and I will thank you though. And so on October 9th if you're among the one million spectators look for me, I'll be out there somewhere running with all of my heart (hopefully my head and legs too) and wearing my RMHC shirt proudly. And after that day I'll be a marathoner.
Annabelle was still spending her days and nights in NICU at Comer Children's Hospital at University of Chicago. The day I visited her there I sat in the Ronald McDonald House Family Room waiting my turn. I saw families come and go through to see their little loved ones. There was coffee and donuts for anyone who wanted them. There was a movie playing and overall the room was as peaceful as you might imagine it to be given the circumstances.
Daily Jill and Matt made the nearly 150 mile round trip to be with Annabelle as she grew and got stronger. I will never even begin to understand their emotions daily. Furthermore I will never understand the families like theirs. Annabelle was in NICU/TCU for 37 days. There are families that spend even longer periods than that. And the Ronald McDonald House helps them all.
And thus an idea came to my mind.
When I started this crazy journey I eventually made it my goal to run a 5k. I've long blown that out of the water completing 5 half marathons, 3 sprint distance triathlons, and a Half Ironman. I laughed at one time and said if I ever ran a marathon I'd want my first marathon to be the Chicago Marathon. It's iconic. It's supposed to be beautiful. It goes through Chicago.
And thus my idea was going to be kick ass.
On June 7, 2016 I joined Team Ronald McDonald House Charities to run the Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 and committed to raising at least $1,500 to #keepfamiliesclose. I was ecstatic when I hit submit and made my commitment.
I've been training to run 26.2 miles. I can do this, I know. I raced 70.3 miles, now yes 56 of those were on a bike and I'm a strong cyclist. But I can run 26.2 miles, if I have to walk some of it ... so be it. Me out there running through 29 different neighborhoods with over 40,000 other participants and more than one million spectators ... I can do this. Because you know what? In my mind accomplishing this goal and the pain I'm bound to endure doing it, beating the mental blocks that will inevitable come up ... I'd honestly take this than ever having to go through what families who are assisted by the Ronald McDonald House Charities goes though.
Remember how I said I know some families spend even longer with assistance from Ronald McDonald House? I know another family, and it's through Social Media we met. I followed Katie on Instagram. As a fellow runner who has had success with weight loss through running, but also has a love of ice cream ... she's a great and super positive person to follow.
Katie and I have now met, and since we live in two different states you might be wondering how this happened. Katie's dear niece is going through Chemotherapy and they are staying at a local Ronald McDonald House. In addition, Katie has also run the Chicago Marathon as part of Team RMHC.
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| Katie and I after a run |
I am so glad we met, Lori! I love that you are running for RMHC too. Staying at the house during K's treatments has been a a HUGE blessing. They go above and beyond for their guests. I definitely plan on running for them again sometime.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to kill your marathon!! It is beautiful and being able to say you ran Chicago makes it worth all the pain!