Back in February, I became a Fit City Mom Blogger. It was one of the things that clicked my motivation forward. I was already formulating a plan, taking some action. And there was a series of events that helped click-click-click my motivation into a constant phase of action that I’ve never experienced before. I started blogging here. A blogging friend completed a 5K after doing the Couch to 5K program. I’d had several “ah-ha” moments about my current state of unhealthy choices and was starting to see glimmers of hope for a serious change.
The clincher was deciding to sign up with MomsLikeMe Indy’s Race for the Cure team. They’ve had a team for the past 4 or 5 years. The team has grown- the first year, there were 8 people. This year, the team has over 60 members! I’ve always been interested but never signed up.
I’m going to be honest- I didn’t sign up because walking a 5K really didn’t interest me and because breast cancer hadn’t touched my life in a difficult or profound way. I knew people who had lost a family member or friend to breast cancer. But I hadn’t personally lost someone or been close to a situation where breast cancer took someone’s life. I’d always had great admiration for the women who had fought breast cancer and won; I’d always been supportive of those who were fighting it. It just hadn’t touched my life in a personal, direct way. And once it did- it was life changing.
There was an active member on MomsLikeMe for a couple of years- her name was Michele. While I have made some great friends on that site, she wasn’t really one of them. We didn’t agree on much. We didn’t dislike one another- our paths just didn’t cross because we didn’t have much in common. There was one thing we had in common that built a respect between us- she and I were both the kind of people who would literally give the shirt off our backs to someone in need. I’d witnessed her compassion towards moms in need on the site. Other than that, I’d only met her twice in passing and didn’t know her or her family.
In May, she shared with our online community that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The community started coming together to rally around her and help her out with some things. I watched from a safe distance- not participating because I didn’t know her that well. In late June, she was hospitalized. The cancer had spread before she could start chemo. The moms from our site came together in a very powerful way- we brought food to the family at the hospital, we took meals to the kids and caregivers at home, we met in the hospital chapel to pray. I had intended to, again, remain on the outskirts. Through a series of events, I ended up very involved and close to it all.
I still never really knew Michele. But now I know her sister, her husband, her mother, her children. They aren’t part of my daily life but I do carry all of them in my heart.
I chose to sign up for the team to walk the Race for the Cure for Michele. Her husband, Tim, is joining our team and I will walk that first mile by his side.
And then I will run. I started the Couch to 5K program right after I signed up for Race for the Cure. The motivation locked into place. I’m going to do this 5K because of Michele but I am going to run at least part of it as a promise to me that I am worth it. I deserve a healthy and strong body. I deserve to know what my body can do and how it should feel. I deserve to take care of myself- with a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables, with daily activity and regular exercise, with monthly breast self exams, with annual physicals, with bi-annual visits to the dentist, with an annual OB visit, and so on.
I’ve been training consistently for the past 7 weeks. I’ve been making improvements, fighting through hurdles, overcoming difficulties, and learning a lot about myself in the process. In the past 7 weeks, I’ve become a runner. I’m ready for this 5K. I can’t run all of it. I don’t intend to run all of it. This 5K isn’t just about running a race or a distance. This 5K is about coming together and showing support for those who have fought and won, for those who are fighting, and for those who lost the battle. Michele lost her battle within a week of her hospitalization.
This 5K is about the Cause.
What Cause are you willing to walk for? To run for? What (or who) are you willing to get Fit for?
I hope I will see you at the Race for the Cure this Saturday, April 17 in Indianapolis! I’ll be in my silver and hot pink running shoes and wearing a black, white, and pink MomsLikeMe team shirt- if you think you see me, please introduce yourself!
Tags: healthy living, Race for the Cure, walking, Wellness
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Great Job Liz! You are an inspiration to us all.
I’ll be there with ya. I’m trying to run as much as possible- not to race…but for those who can no longer run, or fight, or join us on this mission. Every time my legs get heavy and I want to stop jogging- I’m going remind myself how luck I am to have my working legs and able body (in whatever stage of improvement it is in). My goal is to run a total of 2 of the 3.1 miles- and I’m hoping to blow that out of the water. I’ll be looking for you!!
I’ll be in a white shirt with “Pink for the cure” on the front. People have signed my shirt (those who donated). And I *Might* be wearing a pink wig…we’ll see 
I will definitely be looking for you, Emily!! If you see any of the black shirted IndyMoms, ask around for me, please!
I love what you said- that when you start to struggle, you will think of those who can’t run. That’s exactly right. Not only do I deserve to be fit for me, I feel a connected kind of ownership to other women so that I can run and walk for them.
I’ll be there in spirit.
You go Liz!
Liz, I am not running or walking this weekend but instead have my sleep-in shirt and number. I too have been personally touched by breast cancer when my close friend and tennis doubles partner lost her battle last year. I will be celebrating her life with friends Saturday night with my brother as our chef. I will make a toast, in your honor, to your success on Saturday. Have a great time!
Liz…Good luck this weekend! I know you will do great and I’m sure that Michelle will be smiling down upon you. You are SO right…you deserve a fit, healthy, strong body. And you are making it happen. Great job and keep up the incredible work! YOU ROCK!
Julie- Thank you for sharing with me and for sharing here about your friend. I think that any way we can honor others is important. I like that you and your friends have found a unique way to support the cause and to honor & celebrate your friend’s life.
Lori- Thank you for being an awesome cheerleader!! You rock, too!!
I often think that if I only knew what motivates me in a particular direction, I’d get around to doing things sooner. There have been times in my life that should have been motivating to me, like spending 7 days in the hospital with a blood clot in my lung, that haven’t. Then there are other, smaller, things like an embarrassing picture or a comment from a child that really move me from the spot where I’m stuck. I’m glad you found your motivation. Keep moving!
I wanted to share my first 5k breast cancer run (Oct’08). My mom had just been diagnosed was going to be starting chemo then radiation around the same time. I had not run in almost 2years. The run was a very emotional experince for me. It made me cry to see those lost and happy to see the survivors. The route was very hilly and I wanted to stop so many times. For me I could not stop, my mom could not stop her treatment so it really motivated me. Towards the end I felt happy that my run (and metaphor her treatment) does has an end. I turned the corner and saw one more big hill and my heart dropped. Again I fought through it because I knew she would have to aswell and not stop even at the end.
The run may not be easy this Sat but I sponsored you because I believe in the cause BUT also because I believe in you. Whatever your personal goal is for this run I know not only will you achieve it but you will surpass it. Good luck to you, Michele’s family and everyone else running.
So true, Amy. Motivation is such an important factor. I blogged about that yesterday on my blog- about the Stages of Motivation.
You rock. You are READY for this.
At this point, honestly, I mostly run for ME. I know that it affects my family positively, but I mostly do it because I love what it does for me. (Not that noble, but true!)
Once again, you are so unselfish! I agree with C. Beth, you rock!
Oh, Liz, what a great post. I will be riding my horse this weekend at a long-awaited two-day clinic with my favorite trainer. But a part of my heart and mind will be with you in Indy, cheering you on as you run and praying for you, for all the participants and for all of the reasons that they are running in the Race for the Cure.
Liz,
After reading your blog and your motivation I am now motivated to go out and do a 5K and do the Race for the Cure. There are so many different reasons for people to do one. I personally have had both my mother and mother-in-law fight breast cancer at the same time (during my wedding planning and wedding). They both came through wonderfully. But I never thought to do the race.
Your reason of deserving I think every woman can come to agree with. We all put our kids, husbands, houses, work, friends, etc before ourselves. It is about time we do something for ourselves that we deserve. So, starting tomorrow I will begin to train for the next 5k (I need all the time I can get).
Again good luck to you. Let us know how you did.
Danielle
Danielle- what a hard time that must have been for your family! I think RFTC would be a great event to participate in. I’m wearing my Komen shirt at work today and am hearing great stories from others who have participated- all about the connection you feel to everyone there. I’m really excited to experience it!!
Be sure to check out the FitCity Indy fan page on Facebook- I’ll try to get on there Saturday afternoon or evening and post about my experience! http://www.facebook.com/#!/fitcity
@Louise Thank you so much for sharing your story, Louise. Brought tears to my eyes. I love the analogy between running and the fight against cancer. What you did- that is inspiring.
@Beth Thank YOU for being my inspiration for running! Right place, right time, right person!
@Garret Aw, shucks. You’re pretty awesome, too.
@Mary When I had my chances to run, I did think about the names of the people who stepped up and donated in support of my efforts. My bursts of running were for Michele, for Tim, for their kids… but also for the friends and family who supported me.