When I found out my mom had multiple myeloma cancer, I was heartbroken. I immediately went to the internet and read some pretty horrible stuff. Worried, sickened and afraid, I didn’t think I could leave her to move abroad. But then when I went to Maine to see her.
I knew that not moving forward with my own life wasn’t what my mom or my dad wanted. So, we moved abroad and even though we’re over 3000 miles apart, I feel closer to her than ever. I found a way to make a difference from a distance.
I’ve moved around my whole life where I would go weeks without talking to my mom and dad. That was my normal. Now it feels weird to miss even just a couple of days without catching up. It’s amazing what big change can do to someone. A fresh perspective, a new purpose, with the opportunity to spend time on things that matter the most.
When I saw the advertisement for the St Albans 5K to raise money for any charity I wanted, I knew immediately how to make a difference from a distance. Even living in the UK, I was able to select the American Cancer Society. It was like it was meant for me to be in it.
The 5K went incredibly smooth. I felt good. Well, to clarify, there was no limping involved after the race. 😂
And then I saw the Race for Life 10K run in St Albans. I didn’t need to think about it. Running for this was a no-brainer. I’ve never run more than 5 miles in one shot, but figured how hard could it be? After all, it’s only twice as long as the 5K and that was pretty easy. All I needed to do was train.
But summer activities made it difficult to follow a training routine. Regardless, I told myself that no matter what, I wouldn’t allow myself to stop running on the day of the race. Walking wasn’t going to be an option for me. It’s my own fault for not following through on the training schedule. If my mom can go through hell with all the shit cancer put her through, then I can manage a little heavy breathing, heat and maybe even pain for a simple 10K. But NO stopping. Cancer didn’t stop for her when she was in pain. I promised myself I would just keep fighting no matter what. Just like Mom. 💪🏻
So, when the gun fired, I took off. I’m not a fast runner and never have been, but hoped that stamina would be on my side because I really did refuse to stop.
Tons of women ran past me: older, thinner, bigger, younger, taller…you name it.
I felt inadequate for running so slow, but then I reminded myself that it wasn’t about competing or comparing. It was about finishing a run to fight the very thing that fueled my purpose. I was there to make a difference from a distance. We were all in it together.
It was hard to not feel emotional during the race. All the reasons written on runner’s backs for their own purpose. I read every one that I could. For mums, dads, aunties, and friends. So many people with cancer.
A sign particularly moved me. It said, “This is for the 90 people that will be diagnosed with cancer today in East England”. Ugh, breaks your heart, doesn’t it? 💔
So, I kept running. I did cry. Not ever about the pain in my left knee that started around the 4K mark. I cried thinking about how awesome my mom is for kicking cancer in the $%&@ and ALL the women, men and children that fight this illness every day. And for those that lost theirs.
All the wonderful women that ran or walked the Race for Life on an 80℉ English day to raise £100,000 for cancer research are simply awesome. Yes, £100,000!
I finished the 10K race in 1 hour. Not bad at all considering the course was basically cross-country. I avoided rabbit holes, hurdled a small child and played a bit of frogger. My knee hurt and I was one big salt block, but I finished. I cried a little and even peed a little, but whatevs. Stopping wasn’t an option. 🏃🏼♀️
I have no idea what position I finished, but it doesn’t matter. 🏅 I feel good about pushing myself out of my comfort zone to do something for someone else and never made excuses for stopping. I raised a little bit of money for both Cancer Research UK and the American Cancer Society. And hopefully even inspired one or two along the way.
Because stopping isn’t an option for me. You can make a difference from a distance. I might live far away, but my mom and my purpose are right here. ❤️
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