22 in 2 days

Here it is March 2nd and I have 50 days to go till the big day for Erin.

My game plan is 11 miles for 7 days straight; then, shoot for the stars.

I ran for the first time in over 20 years yesterday and my knee is so swollen.

But, it's not about me, it's about putting others first.

Yes, I know, my mom would say don't kill yourself out there.

"It's just a marathon"

Well do we say it's "Just Breast Cancer"????????????????????????????????????

SO here we are 22 miles in the books and 55 to go.

Am I training right??? I don't really know what to compare it to; so yes, I am.

Confidence can get us so far, so can stupidity.

I'll speak with Erin and get her advice--she's the elite athlete. she's done a few of these, understatement.

It's go time

I took it very lite last week--were down to less than 60 days till this big moment, my first marathon.

However I did walk from my house here in Carmel Indiana to the VA hospital in downtown Indianapolis. It was to see a very special person, whom I just admire.

13 miles one way--new visuals, new scenery, new paths and not the same mundane back and forth like I do in the neighborhood.

Yesterday the last day of February I began running--I ran 1/4 of a mile and that is it. But I walked 11 miles in total.

My right knee is killing me, I have what is known as jumpers knee--I have had 2 knee surgeries; 1 in 1988 and the other in 2003.

One due to football--

One due to me stopping and my German Sheppard continuing to run...

I have 6.5 hours to complete the marathon...

Like in football it doesn't say how they won, it just states the victory is theirs.

UNLESS--you read the box score, then it breaks it down for you. But, this marathon will not have a Jim Serger box score--so mile by mile will not have an asterisk and state he crawled or skipped.

I will finish this journey for the Big E--it's hard, it's grueling and it's painful.

But, so is Erin's trek with cancer.....

My marathon is because I want to do it for her......

She is such a huge inspiration in my life--sure I don't see her very often, sure I don't speak with her all the time--but this high school friend is a champion in my hall-of-fame.

So my goal for this is to finish in 6.5 hours--crawl, skip, jump, walk-backwards..... it really doesn't matter.

I will also be sending a link out to help raise money on behalf of Erin later today.....After i go to dentist and get another training session in the books.

Day 10 -- 24.2 miles--2 short of a YES I DID IT!

Math has never been my strong subject...  🏃

Effort has been...   🏃

But, I thought that from my entrance to the back exit of the neighborhood was 1.2 miles...

Nope, it's 1.1 miles.    🏃

So I did 22 back and forth's---   🏃

22 x 1.1 = 24.2 miles-------------------I thought it was 22 x 1.2 which is 26.4....

Oh well, I still went out and walked a ton--I walked a slew of miles.

So this week, my game plan is this ...  🏃

Tuesday walk  15 miles or so. Game plan is to walk from my house in Carmel down to the VA hospital in Indianapolis.  Something new and unique--But, I have a very specific reason.  🏃

Wednesday I am gunning for 26.4 miles or my first marathon.   🏃

When I achieve this goal--next week I start RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    🏃

I was late entering this---this was achieved on Wed the 8th..........

                                                                   🏃  🏃   🏃   🏃   🏃

Day 9 -- 6 in the books--tomorrow is go time!

All the hype is gone, Patriots won the big game. But really what does the Super Bowl do for us????
Absolutely nothing, unless your career rides on it--we root, cheer, eat and drink--We purchase big foam #1 fingers--we love the commercials--then Monday, that is the talk of town. The scuttlebutt is so overwhelmed with Monday morning QB's its unreal.
Monday starts a new week--off to the races we go. By Friday we can't even remember the big play--we just remember Tom Brady's jersey is still missing and Brady had the biggest comeback ever.
But as we progress with cancer--we seem to remember every single little detail; the day, the weather, the drive--the nurses, the DR's. We recall who smiled at us, who greeted us with a firm handshake and said welcome. We remember the first blood drawn, we remember the person encouraging us to go and get checked out.
Cancer is a big game--in a triumphant arena, it's played all around the world. In small cities, small towns, small and large countries. Each opponent we face is sometimes hourly, sometimes daily and it seems to progress for weeks upon end.
But we see little victories, little comebacks.  We are the Tom Brady's--the ones who were down, who were hurting at half-time. We feel so isolated from others, yet we know our teammates believe in us, they know we will prevail.

 Vince Lombardi said " I never lost a game, I just ran out of time."

Cancer has no qualms at taking loved ones from us--so as coach said, we fight, scratch, claw our way to victories and sometimes we just can't defeat the big C word. We give it our best fight; were stronger than cancer--but cancer can't beat US--

The US is you and I--like a basketball team or a hand it has five players or five fingers--when we clench our hands and make a fist it becomes very powerful and as a unit of one on the hardwoods--we will defeat the best.

That is what I am doing--I running my first marathon for a very powerful female athlete and breast cancer survivor and advocate.

Today I did 6 miles walking for the Big E--tomorrow I am going for 26.2 miles walking.

I am ready, shuffle charged. Water and nutrition all laid out--tomorrow I will do my first marathon--walking--but I will have a little victory in the books....

It will be awesome.

Day 8-- 45 divided by 3 for the BIG E.

I cashed all my chips in today and went for a new high.

7:08-- put my daughter on the bus and out I went in full stride.

I am gaining strength, plus my turn times are getting quicker.

I am walking 17 minute miles, well that was in the first 1/2 of the total amount.

From there they gained a minute, then 2 then 3 then at one point I was walking 30 minute miles.

45 divided by 3 was my goal and today as I put the code in the garage door I yelled, that's 15 for you 

ERIN!

Every mile today was a new pace--fast or slow--I was quicker, faster and slower all around today.

As Erin put it, at least you went out and did something.

She sent me an email the other day--explaining she just didn't feel like running, but she laced up her sneakers and got it done.

We can sit around and say life is easy, well when your challenging yourself daily, as Erin does--then sure life is more daunting. She gets up and faces the day head on like a true trooper.

So BIG E--45 divided by 3 was for you today.

April 22 will be here soon--the Carmel Marathon and I WILL be ready. 

Day 7-- four for the Big E. Pro-active

"When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%.  Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms."  ---http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

Imagine walking around with breast cancer, but not knowing you have it.

We hear on the radio get an examine early.
Do self-breast examinations.
Be pro-active.
Do it today.
The message is loud and clear.

We have 2 ears, therefore we are to listen well. We are to hear everything--but sometimes, in one ear and out the other--which happens to us all.

Denial--this will not happen to me.....that is for others. This kind of situation will not appear, I eat well, I exercise, I sleep well, I don't drink heavily...I treat my body very good.

Others aren't doing it. I seem fine, I am  healthy.

Is your family, friends worth the agony of not being pro-active??????????

Get off your tush and go get checked--Be the BIGGER PERSON--

Say it with me--I Will Get it done---say it again, I will get it done..

If not for you; then for your dad, your mom, your son, your daughter, your cat, your fish, your pet iguana, your dog, your friends and your neighbors. When we take ownership, accountability for our lives--we ease the pain and burden of the others.

Today was 4 for the BIG E because she was pro-active. She took the bull by the horns and went and got checked on her own--today her beautiful family and friends are so happy she did.....

So today was 4 for the pro-active BIG E!

Great job Erin showing the way for others--you are a true leader.

Day 6--snowman + 2

7:10 the bus hit the corner, hugged my kid and off on my jaunt I went. I was gunning for 8 today, or as golfers put it, a SNOWMAN--no matter how high the score on the hole, golfers would yell up, I got an 8 or mark me down for a snowman. In reality they probably had a 10 or higher--but that's golf and this is walking.

 I saw a flag hanging on a front porch that read: LIFE IS CRAZY GOOD.

Well put. Back and forth I go--1 mile from beginning of the neighborhood to the back exit, make the turn and yell--that's 1 for Erin, 2 for Erin and on and on it goes. Today the AT&T truck was at the back end--I yelled and he just looked at me and chuckled. I gave a smile and made the turn.

I must say I am really getting to know my neighbors, getting know all the in's and out's of the neighborhood--who walks their dog's, what time. I even know which houses really should consider renting a power-washer and get going on that mold, yuck!

I did 8 by 10 am--then back to start my day. My daughter got off the bus at 3:25--first thing she said was I need a snack--then, can we walk Champ?  Blue-Heeler needs his exercise....

So at 4 pm we dawned our athletic clothes and off we went with champ--1 mile in and 1 mile back.

10 miles yesterday and 10 miles today for Erin.....

What is great about this trek, is; it's giving back to a person who has given so much to a great cause.

As I walk and listen to Emerson Lake and Palmer, to AC/DC to Ratt, to The Firm to John Denver and a whole other assortment of music to my ears. I think of all the different people who have been hit by breast-cancer. Yes I am doing 26.2 for Erin, but in retrospect I am doing it for your mom, your wife, my grandma and so on. Cancer is a big umbrella--and I am all in.

day 5 -- 10 for cancer---small bites....

Day 5 is in the books....Why does McDonald's have an adult menu and a kid's menu? That is so easy, if the adult does not want those enormous proportions, then they can buy the smaller meal. Not really, but this happens all the time. I see customers walk up and order a children's order and off they go, and they sit in the car and gobble it down so no one can see--A. they saved a few bucks and B.  They just really don't want that amount of food.

  I was the guy on the flip side that loved to super-size my meal--you order the regular adult meal, say super-size me and a oversized fry and drink would be added to the main course. As always I would finish the drink, but never the fries.

  Well today was that day--it was a super-size me type training day. I figured I knocked, 2 then 6 then 10 last week. So today I would increase right off the bat, 15 miles was my goal. It looked so good from afar, it was within reach. I could just grab the 15 and place in my back pocket and go onto tomorrow with no problems. Too say that was achieved is an understatement, my ambition and grit was in check--weather perfect; 53, but 10 ended up being my magic number.

   I felt like the little tike that keeps asking his parent for the adult meal over and over--the day finally comes and he gets his wish--adult plate is placed in front of him, and only 3/4 is devoured. 1/4 left over becomes tomorrows mustgo meal of the night.

   In life we look so far ahead and get so ramped up, that we need sometimes to be guided back to earth. Our passion is so strong and our determination is so strong, yet a simple, small sized training session is exactly what the doctor ordered. So today I did 10 miles walking for Erin. That is 10 miles for her, 10 miles for her PINK family and it feels so good to have those 10 under my belt.

You see Erin, is the small portion in reality. She was diagnosed in June of 2016, the day that changed her thoughts--that day I am sure was overwhelming and terrifying as hell. Erin through small bites achieved the greatest gift of all--she is alive today. January 17th--I think about what she has been through, what she has overcome and see myself striving to give 100% to this cause and to run this 26.2 for the BIG E.

Here is a super link to Erin and her amazing desire to achieve more, give more and press on. 

http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/elite-athlete-finds-silver-lining-in-breast-cancer-battle-spreading-awareness-and-helping-others

Day 4 of training--January 12--Tennis ball and cancer.

  So yesterday I walked 10 miles, day before 6 and before that 2. Well my lower back is killing me. So as my reading has it, go three days and take a day off. So today was that moment. But, cancer doesn't take a day off. It doesn't recognize black, white, male or female. It doesn't just hover around the U.K or Africa. It doesn't go around and say your rich, or your poor. It doesn't seek out Trump supports or Clinton admirers. It just strikes. It doesn't pick or choose what day, time, month or year--it just creeps in and goes for it.
  So as I write this Erin didn't take a day off, and say I'll go to the doctor next week, because I am tired. Cancer has no feeling or remorse or pity or empathy for its clients. So I didn't just come home from the airport and take a nap, watch Jeopardy and put my feet up. I came home and did some intense stretching. A co-worker told me, she has a medical degree--that using a tennis ball on your lower back is outstanding, but it will hurt. The doctors told Erin to do this and that, that it will hurt. She could have said, well I'll see you tomorrow, next week or for all the cards, I'm giving up. But, she didn't--she's all in and so am I.
   Life is funny; it's one hell of a roller-coaster. A marathon, that's 26.2 miles for Erin--or 26.2 miles for her and her PINK family. My lower back is so much better, the tennis balls worked and now I can touch my toes as I settle down......However when I was leaning against the front door, with the ball in between my lower back and door--my Blue Heeler snatched it right up. It took me 5 minutes to grab it and back to work. I laughed so hard.....This little guy made my night.
  A huge ice storm is headed to Indiana and so I don't know if I'll be outside this weekend--but that will not stop me. This fire-hydrant has got to limber up.
  So I'll leave you with this great quote--it's mind over matter..........Saying YES, I am all in, sounds so good.

Screw it, Let’s do it! Richard Branson

January 11--day three for the BIG E!

10-10-10--This is the title of the book by Suzy Welch.

Meaning of the book is; give something 10 minutes, then stick with it 10 months, then something special will happen by the 10th year. 

In life, as of lately, we want stuff instantly; we as a society want it now! We have all the capabilities: Smart phones, Amazon Echo, Siri, Google this and Google that, Smart cars, Bluetooth and the list goes on and on and on.

But in Erin's case instant is not the norm. This is a stage in her life that requires follow up, doctor visits and so forth. On June 12, 2016 Erin had two biopsies--which led to a egg sized hematoma that developed during her biopsies. 3 days later she rode her bike for University of Cincinnati Barret Breast Cancer Unit, which raises money for breast cancer. 

On June 15th Erin was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma Insitu, level 3, triple hormone negative. Which led Erin to undergo two more biopsies before her bilateral mastectomy on July 15th. 

As Erin put it, "this was very upsetting, but I had my Pink sisters on Facebook where I would look at their stories and I knew I was lucky to be where I was."

Erin got the urge to get checked, because on New Years Eve 2014, she lost her mom to breast cancer--her mom passed from what is known as liver bile duct cancer, which is not what Erin had. 

10-10-10.........Its odd that we can look and see where we are today in setbacks--we look one step at a time, not knowing what is ahead of us. But when we give something 10 minutes to truly understand what is in the moment, in this case breast cancer....Which is a new term to household, yet through love, compassion, a few hugs and a few tears--we get strength from others and we press on with guidance and wisdom of others who have been there and who can coach us. 

June 12, 2016 is 7 months ago--almost at the 10 month mark and above, in the photo, is Erin running. I spoke to her this week and she is running the Boston Marathon and has signed up to do the Louisville Triathlon in October of this year.

Erin understands the 10-10-10 rule to a T. She is living it. She is 100% committed to self healing, committed to her Doctors and committed to her family and friends--including the PINK ones.

So today I walked 10 miles for the big E.  At every mile I yelled that's one for you Erin, that's 5 for you Erin and in front of my house I yelled that's 10 for you Erin.

Tomorrow will be day 4, but Erin is on day 197 of her 10-10-10.

A 10 minute check at the mammogram truck--put Erin in the position. She was pro-active. So go out there and tell your friends 10 minutes is all you need to walk up and get started, may even be less--but for this analogy I'll go with 10. 

Day 2 -- rain vs cancer????

  It's official, day two of training is in the books. It's literally not a race to get there; it's a slow steady, progressive up hill climb for me. The key to my training, well there is no key to it at all. I have read over the years what people have done to prepare: walk, run, short sprints, days off. Sorta of a Eb and Flow.
  So today I am going to converse on the eb and flow concept. For that is where I am headed. Up and down. In the valley, looking up at the peak and telling my self I know I can--little train that could--however I am 5'10" and 235 pounds, 2 knee surgeries. But this marathon is not for me....It's for Erin the women who went through the eb and flow for real. the eb and flow of facing breast cancer head on.
  Breast cancer has touched my family. When I was 10 my dad's mother passed away from it. To this day I still remember my parents leaving for the hospital and I, with my brother, were being looked over by my mom's parents--the garage door went up and I walked out, and there was my mom and dad--My mom told me that grandma had passed away. I still remember what I said "god dammit." I loved my grandma--she was the best and that was 35 years ago. it seems so far back, but it seems as though it was yesterday.
  We hear of celebrities facing breast cancer, we hear of friends facing it, our neighbors and our relatives. But when it literally hits home, it strikes a nerve so strong, it seems the world is coming to an end. But times have changed for breast cancer and cancer in general. The victims of this horrible disease are no longer looked upon as having leprosy. their looked upon with love, compassion and support groups so strong--they could shut down a union.
 Having breast cancer is for others--it's what other people get. not me. Kinda like, if we don't talk about it, it will pass our house by and linger on to someone else's.   Just like when your door bell rings and there is a couple with a bible--if I don't answer it; they'll just go away.
  Erin is a super trooper, super athlete and a terrific advocate. plus a HUGE evangelist for helping others through this battle. So today I was walking for her--in my small little adventure to help raise awareness on this disease. Like alcoholism, it's okay to seek support, it's okay to reach out to others and of course it's okay to give hugs.  Sweeping something under the carpet is what we did in the past, now we are an open book society, because we know when we speak up, others are at the ready to lend a hand. I will go up and down in the marathon, but Erin is the beacon I look to, for guidance.
  Today it was raining out here in Carmel, Indiana--I could have chose to stay indoors, but Erin also could have passed up counseling someone on breast cancer and how to defeat it. So today I ebed and flowed--but I look to her for inspiration. Because, a little rain never hurt anyone, a little wind never killed anyone.  Think about it, if it was snowing out is Erin going to miss a treatment? I don't think so. So I took the high road--because, I know she would have.

So today: Day 2 is in the books..........

I walked 6 miles for Erin, that is 6 miles I could have said I'll do it tomorrow--I'll put it off. But what ever you say your going to do tomorrow, is probably the same thing you said yesterday. TODAY!.

So be a ACTIONIST!

January 9th--Monday Day 1

   Every New Year I set a goal, A really big goal........Goals are such a part of my life, that it seems sometimes I stumble over them. How fast can I clean the house--and yes, I have timed myself. How fast can I cut the grass, how many books can I read in a year to, how many rooms can I paint in a week. To even trying to cut the grass, aerate the yard, fertilize and stain the fence.
   My goals have always been about me over the last few years; writing a book, publishing a book, radio interviews and even being on the t.v and local newspapers. However 6 months ago, I knew it was time for a change--a really big change.....The thought of putting someone else at the epicenter of a goal instead of myself. I thought of riding a bicycle from Disney to Disney for cancer. I thought of  doing a triathlon for cancer around Lake George up in N.Y.
  But, on the week of New Year's Eve I finished up reading my 119th book of 2016. The book is titled: What About The Big Stuff? Finding Strength and Moving Forward When the Stakes Are High. By Richard Carlson. He spoke on having a optimistic attitude towards life, letting go of the big stuff and focusing on the small stuff--which then leads to the easing of the big stuff to equal that to small stuff. He writes on why me? to why not me? He converses on subjects of placing others first and your needs second....
  So after finishing that book--thinking about it all day while working at the Indianapolis Airport. I thought this year I need a Big Hairy Audacious Goal--and have that goal applied to a cause.
  So on New Years Eve I reached out to a high school friend, Erin Lawry. Someone who exemplifies strength, courage, grit, passion, goal driven, empathy, compassion and more over what it means to be all in when the stakes are high. you see Erin is a huge fitness buff--Triathlons, marathons, spinning instructor, cycling, canoeing, running with her dog, etc...... but, Erin is also a wife and mother. Plus in June of 2016, Erin was diagnosed with breast cancer.......Her goals never stopped, having ran the Boston Marathon. the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon as well as still having her spinning instructor classes and being a wife and a mother.
  That night, New Years Eve I signed up to run my first marathon--the Carmel Marathon in Indiana. I will run for Erin, 26.2 miles for her--for she is a unbelievable person--plus I have always thought the world of her. Yes, it's been 27 years since high school--but she is still the same. Outgoing, tons of friends, energetic as hell and a ton of fun to speak to.
  

So today was my official first day of training---are you ready for this?????? The marathon is April, 22---112 days away.... Today I walked 2 miles for Erin.
So this blog is not about me or her--this blog will be about raising awareness on breast cancer, it will be about strength and grit when your down, but yet there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Erin inspires me daily to focus on the small as the book did, Erin inspires me to hug my kid more, to enjoy life more and to focus on others.

So to ERIN! Thank you for making me a better person.

2 miles in the books.............