One Hell of a Run, One Hell of a Cause

This Saturday was frigging amazing. Finally, a run where I felt strong, light on my feet, and most importantly, lighthearted. My love Lauren Sanders got us started with her mission moment about her wonderful friend Derrick, who fought one hell of a cancer battle - one that she continues to fight, as he has left this world. Derrick died 2 years ago today at the age of 23. Yes, t-w-e-n-t-y-t-h-r-e-e. Heartbreaking.

I think it really reminded me why we're out there. Lauren is on her 3rd season with TNT and she is a very strong runner. But beyond that, she gets what it's really all about - and I needed to be reminded. Her energy and positivity is infectious and I just think she's 47 kinds of fabulous, and I am so grateful that she had the courage to get up there and share her story. Derrick sounds like he was almost TOO awesome, and clearly his light shines on in Lauren. To read more about Derrick's story, go here: http://www.djdully.blogspot.com/

It's amazing what your body will do when your heart is full. I took my 10:30 pace group out and we had the most fun, amazing run down and up the west side highway. We were laughing, we were talking, we weren't complaining, and we were kicking some ASS. We did about 11 miles as a group, and then for the last 5 we split up and I ran them with Steph in the park. They were tough, especially with the hills, but I felt like a frigging superstar at the end.

Then today I went to yoga, which was surprisingly delightful. I'm starting to suck a little less at downward dog (it's been my nemesis for years) and we hit some really spicy stretches that my legs desperately needed. I came home, made myself a healthy fajita, and opened up my computer to read the news from today. I saw that Elizabeth Edwards, a pillar of strength and grace, has stopped responding to treatment. The article said her cancer metastasized to her liver and then there is that horrible phrase: there's nothing more they can do. The prognosis, they say, is weeks, rather than months, and that's a phrase I know all too well. I also know it could be closer to days - you never know what that goddamn disease is going to do.

I think she has been an inspiration in many ways - how she handled her disease, how she handled her douche of a husband (if a guy treated me like that and then had the wherewithal to treat his mistress like shit too, I'd take a dull butter knife to the jugular), and now how she is handling her limited time remaining. She left a message via her Facebook page:

"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human.

"But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know."

We should all be so lucky to have half the grace she has. And we should all heed her words - living with hope, trying to have a positive impact in the world, that's what makes life all the more worthwhile.

I'm proud to be part of an organization that tries to have a positive impact every single day. I hope you're proud for donating to one - and if you haven't already, it's not too late to make a positive impact yourself.