12 Miles Takes Me Where??

February 2011 running schedule

I quickly glance at my running schedule hanging up and notice what surely must be an error.  It reads, 'Ogden Full -12 miles'.  I blink, rub my eyes and read it again, 'Ogden Full - 12 miles'.  Let me give you a second to try as well, cause I know you didn't read that right either.  Now go ahead blink, rub your eyes, 'Ogden Full - 12 miles'.  Still the same?   It must be right then if we are both reading, 'Ogden Full - 12 miles.  Somehow I've got to figure out a way to use my own two feet and run (mingled with some needed walking) farther then some of you have to drive to and from work each day! 

Have you ever had to map out 12 miles?  Let me tell you it's not easy.  I first thought I'd take a nice scenic familiar motivational trail run. After looking outside, I decided I really wasn't wanting to run in heavy mud covered shoes for that long of a distance.  I then thought maybe I can run to my daughter's tumbling gym. Nope, not long enough - short 5 miles. 



I think Ally's eyes are going to bug out of her head! 
 10 miles down, 2 to go.



Frustrated with the idea of having to drive all over just to figure out a good 12 mile course, I decide to try out this nifty little website called 'map my run'.  I go online and start mapping several different courses, all ending up too short.  How can this be? I immediately decide that this website must be wrong, and hop in my trusty car and 'map' out a 12 mile loop run.  As I pull into my garage, I had to humbly admit that 'map my run' website really was correct, and 12 miles is further then I thought.  Do you know, I mean really know how far 12 miles can feel while driving in a car?  How about running 12 miles?  Let me take a moment and tell you how far 12 miles feels like when you are running it.  



Green!  Signs of spring along my run



To run twelve miles (mind you this is at 'Christel' pace) feels like you have been gone long enough to be able to come home to fresh baked bread from scratch.  You have enough time for the careful mixing, gently kneading, slow rising of the dough, and then the final baking of the dough (mmmm, that'd be a great treat to come home to).  I even think my tree buds, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilacs came into bloom while I was out running.   The weeds have grown so tall, I think there is a small village living in there.  My daughter also grew like a weed, up almost an inch!  (Note to self - place a large boulder on her head so she'll stop growing up. If this works, I'll let you know!)  



I sometimes think about what I miss while I'm out running, yet this is nothing compared to what individuals who are battling cancer miss each and every day as they sit through their next round of chemo; curl up around the bucket as the waves of nausea overtake them time and time again; weakly lay in bed stroking their child's hand as they try to be part of their life, listening intently to the daily tale of childhood fun - wishing they were stronger so they could have played too;  looking into their families' eyes as they assemble around the bed in preparation of their last goodbye - ultimately missing out on the life that could have been.  

Following our prints back home

This my dear friends is what moves me to keep placing one foot in front, to stay up late updating my running/fundraising website for those who have and continue to support me, as well as encourage everyone I know to support me in my desire to help find a cure for leukemia and all it's cancer relatives. 

I choose this - to miss out on a little bit of life in hopes of giving another their life back.   Take a minute to show as well as tell your family and friends that you love them; hold their hand, give a hug and kiss, lend an ear, a helping hand, your wheel barrow, scare those monsters out of the closet, and kiss that scraped knee better - Do these willingly, because you are able.  What do you choose?

Thank you so much to:
• Kristine Smout - Monetary Donation - A Dedicated, Trustwothy, Caring Friend
If you'd like to help me fight Leukemia and Lymphoma, please visit my fundraiser web page where your online donation is 100% tax deductible and totally safe and secure: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ogden11/cgrangehic

Good Karma
Christel