Back in Joisey.
The week immediately following the mara, I was in Florida hanging out with Dad and I couldn't seem drag myself away from the beach or pool long enough to give a blog-recap. But now, with a little distance (and no pool to sit by), I've made some the time.
What an experience.
January 25th ... up at 4:30 am - Dad had driven down from his sister's place in Ft. Lauderdale at 3:30 am to meet me at the hotel ... then came with me where the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network team gathered at the American Airlines Arena under a big-ass promotional poster of Julio Iglesias for a photo op (this will always be etched in my memory, and now, if anyone mentions julio, i will think of gathering there [but wondering: does anyone actually mention julio anymore?] ...) (but i digress ... ). After wishing me well at the team photo, Dad went back to my hotel room for a little nap (smart dad).
Reports say there were over 15,000 participants in the marathon, and the Pancreatic Cancer fund-raising team comprised just under 45 of those. Together we - and our supporters - were able to raise over $144,000 to contribute to pancreatic cancer research. (not too shabby) (thanks again supporters; you are fabulous.)
As I've said, I don't run-run, I run-walk, and I did probably 85% of the mara at a fast-walk pace, the other at a slow-jog, but I was mostly happy with my time - 3.23 (according to the cool little chip you attach to your sneaks that clocks when you cross the start line, and then stops when you cross the finish line). For a woman who was 30 pounds heavier this time last year and who most people would laugh their ASSES off if they ever heard that I was participating in a half-marathon, I say again: Not too shabby.
The route itself was pretty amazing; in addition to the drag queen and cigarette smoking cafe goers I mentioned in my audio-posts, there were Boy Scout troops and other random volunteers handing out Gatorade and water at the mile markers, cheerleaders shaking pom poms, cops holding traffic back all along the course (some, like this fabulous woman, really getting into it), high school drum corps banging out rhythms to keep us pumped ... and always, the beauty of the course (over cause-ways, through south beach, water, water, everywhere ...).
Around mile 12 my legs were starting to feel like lead and I was cursing the times I'd stopped to take photos, slow down to send an audio-post, help a woman figure out her iPod, or hug a volunteer who'd yell out "Go Cooperman!" (the name was on my race 'bib') ... I cursed all these little detours cause by then I was pretty sure I was going to go over my goal of a 3.15 finish time. But then I came upon a band perched on a corner singing 'Eye of the Tiger' ... I couldn't decide whether this was cheesy or inspirational, but since a little inspiration never hurts (and i've never believed that cheesy could not also be inspirational), I shook my groove thing as I jogged past and pushed it out. (at one point, mid-way through the race, i was jogging and keeping pace with a woman who said: i'm not sure why i run at all, since my running pace is no better than my walk pace, and i could totally relate, but somehow, it felt like running was the only sane response to the lead-leg feeling and 'eye of the tiger'...)
And of course, through it all, I'm thinking of Mom. She's the reason I did it, the reason I wish I didn't have to do it. And glad as all hell that I did.
At a post-race lunch, the members of the PanCan team gathered to celebrate our little victories, but we couldn't stop talking about the people we'd lost - the ones we had run for. It was inspiring, and it was damn sad.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole experience and wondering what I'm going to put my attention on now that it's over and I'm back to life without this central focus. Bro's talking up a 5K this summer, but I never got into this to become a runner ... although I might do it anyway, since I find myself appreciating the gift of a goal and the longer distance work-outs. But I'm not sure what it's all going to mean when the dust settles. Or if it's supposed to MEAN anything at all ... or just be what it was.
What I do know is that I walked and ran 13.1 miles on January 25th, and I (and my fabulous supporters) raised almost $7,500 for pancreatic cancer research. The rest, I think I'll figure out as I go.
And since I've learned that I get a lot of really good thinking done when I walk/run, there will be more miles ...
Ready for another one?
Nazareno Regalbuto Memorial Walk - May 3
Please join us for this exciting event!
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network invites you to the Nazareno Regalbuto Memorial Walk on Sunday, May 3. Join us at Washington Lake Park in Sewell, NJ to create awareness, raise funds and meet others who share the same goal: to find a cure for pancreatic cancer!
Registration is now open! You can sign up online at www.pancan.org/regalbutowalk. At the event you can enjoy refreshments, a DJ, and children's entertainment. You can even win great prizes in our 50/50 and pick-a-prize raffles!
For additional information or to volunteer at the event, please contact Event Coordinator Lisa Regalbuto-Santelli at 856-297-8056 or lisa.regalbuto.santelli@comcast.net.
Posted by: s | February 04, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Yipppeeee!!! Thanks for documenting your experience, both what was happening externally and internally. How fabulous and inspiring.
Savor the experience and don't worry about making meaning. That will come naturally.
Posted by: Carol Ross | February 03, 2009 at 04:42 PM