Monday, September 5, 2011

I'm Not Really a Runner

I'm not really a runner.

But on October 2nd, I will strap on my running shoes, hit the play button on my iPod, and join thousands of other women and men in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's CIBC Run for the Cure. 

And when my feet hit the pavement, my thoughts will turn to the women in whose honour I am running. 

As my heart hammers, arms pump, sweat pours, and legs fill with lead, I will think about my mother's mother; my grandmother, who died of metastasized breast cancer at the age of sixty.

I will think about my dad's sister; my aunt, who is a survivor, and thankfully, has been cancer-free for many years. 

I will think about my dad's second wife; my step-mother, who finally succumbed to the disease after two long years and left behind a 16-year-old son, my brother.

I will think about my friend Kate, who is my age, mother to a doll-faced toddler and, I am positive, will soon be joining the list of breast cancer survivors.  She graciously, bravely, and honestly writes about her journey through the Big C at The Adventures of OBB.

These are the women who have inspired me to participate in the Run for the Cure, this year and in years past.

But as I run, my thoughts will turn to other women as well.  I will think about my mother, my sister, and myself.  Most of all, I will be thinking about my daughter.  I will be dreaming of her future, a future that includes a cure for breast cancer.  That is my wish for Lilah and her generation.

I'm not really a runner.

But on October 2nd, I will run for a cure.  And that will be enough.


26 comments:

  1. You will rock this race---and what a truly fantastic connection to our Be Enough Me 4 Cancer campaign!! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

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  2. Kudos to you!!! I'm cheering for you from the other side of your world and I'm sure your angels in heaven will be smiling down on you :D

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  3. I'm so proud of you Amanda! What a fantastic cause you're running for.

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  4. Great post!! You will do great and for such an amazing cause!

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  5. Beautiful post. I'm lucky in that I do not know many people who have been afflicted with cancer. I'm VERY lucky. But everything I do, I do with my daughter in mind as well. So, that line really resonated with me.

    You'll rock that run for the cure!

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  6. @Elena @CiaoMomThanks, I'll keep you posted! :)

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  7. @Tatter ScoopsThank you very much. Keep cheering, I'll need it! :)

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  8. @Alison@Mama Wants ThisThank you, Alison, that really means a lot to me.

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  9. @Kristin @ What She SaidI truly hope that by the time they are women, cancer will barely be a blip on the radar.

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  10. What a perfect reason to strap on those RUNNING shoes!! Bcause after this event, you WILL be a runner! :)

    Good luck!

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  11. I'm so very proud of you!! What a wonderful reason/cause to start running!! Good for you!

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  12. Good for you! Do it for all the women everywhere. We never know when breast cancer will hit us close to home.

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  13. Yay! Good for you. I wish I could run. I did the walk for Light The Night though. Raises money for those suffering from Leukemia. Another great fundraiser to join in on.

    I think what you're doing is wonderful:)

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  14. I really like how you phrased this post. Very inspiring. I'll be there too. See you on Oct. 2!

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  15. That's so great! I'm a runner, sort of. I used to be, but now I'm a bit slack. But I'm doing the Run for the Cure as well, even if I have to drag myself huffing and puffing across the finish line. Go us!

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  16. @K PuglianoThank you! I'm looking forward to it!

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  17. @Hopes@Staying Afloat!Thanks! And I'll be running alongside my fellow Vancouver bloggy mamas on Team Bloggers for Boobies, so it's really a win-win!

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  18. @Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)Thank you, Marilyn. Your comment really means a lot to me.

    Go Team!!!

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  19. @Robin | Farewell, StrangerGo us is right! (Alas, huffing and puffing is also right, in my case at least!)

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  20. Cheering you on from way over my side of the world! That is a good cause you're running for and also for the people you love. Good on you!!

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  21. Awesome!!! Can't wait to hear all about it :)

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  22. Suddenly am able to comment! Again - what a beautifully written entry and I feel so special to be mentioned. Just wish it were for my fashion sense and not the big C! Regardless your life (and mine) has been touched by cancer too often - here's to changing that and finding a cure! Happy running! xxx

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