On Sunday, I run for my dad

Ok. I admit it. I haven't been training as much as I have done for previous years for the half marathon. I feel like such a failure for having to go from the full marathon to the half (but I honestly think I would have died if I had stuck it out and ran the full 26.2 miles). It isn't like I haven't run at all and I just randomly signed up to run 13.1 miles. I have done 3 5k's and a 10k since signing up (I believe it was July). Things got in the way of me training (like school and work.. ok.. I'm now giving excuses for just being lazy). It wasn't a big priority like it has been in the past. 


What really got my "running" bug back was when my dad's cancer came back. When I originally signed up to do my first half (2010) was running with this amazing organization called CanCare. CanCare gives FREE one on one counseling if you have cancer (you are matched with someone who has the same type of cancer as you) or if you are caregiver then you are matched with someone who has gone through what you (as a caregiver) are going through. I am my dad's caregiver when he comes in town, and I am not going to lie, it takes alot out of me. I feel (and felt while he was here) so freaking guilty that I couldn't help him out more. I have NO idea what it is like to have cancer, no idea the humiliation, the pain, the frustration he has dealt with these past 9 years. I am quite a sensitive person (if you haven't already figured that out) and I am the type of person that wants to take away pain when someone else is hurting. I am now going to begin the process of having a CanCare volunteer for me. I was going to try to become one, but when my dad's cancer decided to come out of remission, those dreams changed. I have realized that talking to someone that is a caregiver for their loved one, is exactly what I need in order for me to be the best person for my dad to lean on. 


I woke up Sunday with a fever, the chills and no voice (along with swollen lymph nodes). I was SO pissed, thinking, "am I really going to go all this way and NOT run next Sunday?" The answer is NO. The fever was low grade and my voice.. well.. it is not quite back to reality, but that is NO excuse for me not running. I ran for the first time in (I am not going to admit that part, but it has been quite some time) yesterday and ran 5 miles. BOOM. The thing that kept me going was honestly my dad. My dad has been fighting cancer since 2003. That is a LONG time. Granted his cancer was in remission for a long time, but still, waiting after each blood work appointment wondering if the disease had returned is (and has been) nerve wrecking.


So on Sunday, as y'all are waking from your nice warm bed, I will be running in 40 degree temperatures with one goal. TO FINISH. My time is not what I am after this year (as it has been in the past). This year it is to finish. That is it. My bib number is 32906. If you want to follow me and see my progress, you are more than welcome too. 
With every step on the roads of Houston, I will be thinking of the blessing and honor it has been 
to be running for such an amazing organization and be thinking of the road my dad will be facing 
this year. I am planning on finishing the half with a big smile on my face (and the song teenage dream
on in the background). To all friends who are running, GOOD LUCK and finish strong!!


Until next time-