If I Were A Runner, This Is Where I’d Run
I have tried running. Really, I have. I was in Track in high school (though I don’t know if the pole vault is really considered running). I’ve run a half-marathon. I’ve run a full marathon. One year, I even took to trail running so I could participate in the inaugural MXT – a short-lived (only happened once) IronMan-distance offroad triathlon (as opposed to my own Triathalon, which was more my kind of thing).
That said, I believe that I have made it clear: I am not a runner.
But if I were a runner, I’d sign up to run with Team LIVESTRONG and do one of the World Marathon Majors. Because, really, it would be kind of cool to be able to say that you had run the Boston Marathon (or the London, Berlin, NYC, or Chicago Marathon) and done something in the fight against cancer, all in one day.
And in the fight against cancer, the Lance Armstrong Foundation is a good partner. I’ve mentioned before that when Susan’s cancer came back, the Lance Armstrong Foundation was incredibly responsive with both support and information. And as other people have emailed me questions about where they should turn with their cancer diagnoses (one of the most painful and worthwhile parts of doing this blog), I’ve pointed them to the LAF.
And I’m always glad I do. Little by little I’m getting to know some of the people at the LAF, and every single one of them takes the fight against cancer incredibly personally. Personally enough to have made it their profession.
But it’s not just the intensity and the caring of the LAF that makes me like them. It’s the vision and scope. They’re big enough to make a big difference and have a big vision. They’ve raised $181,000,000 for cancer survivorship programs. They’re embarking on a push to make cancer a global issue.
That’s thinking big. And it’s a cause worth joining.
But I’m Not a Runner
Of course, I don’t run. And – oddly enough – some of you don’t ride bikes. But if you can ride, walk, or run, you can be part of Team LIVESTRONG. And might I suggest you join Team Fatty when you do? We’re in all four event cities: Seattle, San Jose, Austin, and Philadelphia. Team Fatty’s pretty proud to be part of the LIVESTRONG movement, and to be making a difference in the fight against cancer.
I’d love to have you along as we fight cancer together. No matter what distance you go or how you get there.
Comment by mark | 05.5.2009 | 1:18 pm
I hate running. It took me two marathons to realize that, but I can’t bring myself to do it anymore.
Comment by Walt | 05.5.2009 | 1:34 pm
It’s worth pointing out – if you don’t do the sport in question, you can support the event by volunteering. None of these events can run without a lot of people who don’t get to do the event.
Comment by WheelDancer | 05.6.2009 | 6:10 am
Hmmm, do you know if Grandma’s Marathon here in MN is a candidate? Like you, I am not a runner but I do have a friend doing it and might lean a little bit to get her to participate. Grandma’s goes right past one of my favorite places.
Comment by Darien | 05.6.2009 | 6:41 am
2:11 AM? I hope it’s just that you were still giddy from your bike ride.
Comment by Mary | 05.6.2009 | 7:19 am
I didn’t know you also ran. That means something else, doesnt’ it? Besides you also ran a 1/2 Marathon? and a Marathon? sheesh. Anyway, you are even more superhuman than I previously believed.
Comment by MattC | 05.6.2009 | 7:58 am
Fatty, at least you’ve actually ran a marathon. Unfortunatly, my knees wouldn’t take that very well..too many years of volleyball. I tried trail running a few years back…not much better (except for all that knee pain, I loved it!) So biking and swimming are it for me I’m afraid.
Glad you put up a refresher post on the fundraising events Fatty. Calif area people, come ON! We can do better than THIS! We are lagging FAR BEHIND all the other LiveStrong cities! We DESPERATLY need MORE team members! It’s just a bit over 2 months now, still PLENTY of time to sign up! It only takes a few minutes of your time! If you are on the fence thinking about it, PLEASE go ahead and jump in! Already a team member? GREAT!!! Any chance you can recruit even ONE new member?? And btw: Holly Grey…you are a fundraising GODDESS!!! Care to share any tips? I have reached a wall in my efforts and need some ideas. I’m going to do a bake-sale here at work soon…I will fund all the goodies and my wife will donate an entire Sunday to the baking…bannana bread, cookies, cupcakes…stuff like that (I also plan to have ‘healthy’ stuff (ACK!!!) like fruit). Then I will just ask for donations for all the goodies…all proceeds going direct to my LiveStrong effort. Anybody else with ideas? PLEASE SHARE!! I truly want to see ‘Team Fatty’ reach the HALF MILLION DOLLAR mark! That would truly be something!
Comment by Philly Jen | 05.6.2009 | 9:44 am
Come on, runners and walkers! As the Philly team co-captain, I can assure you that we welcome you and need you.
Anybody else out there who just finished the Broad Street Run on Sunday? I was in the starting corral next to a Philly Livestrong volunteer. Trust me, the “Yellow Sea” will be on the lookout for our Fattitude.
And a big “Huzzah!” for those of you who already signed up because of this post. Team Fatty Philly is large and in charge!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 05.6.2009 | 10:42 am
Marathons are like bike riding only more brutal, painful and pointless!
Comment by MattC | 05.6.2009 | 10:48 am
And just a note so that everybody understands this: you DON’T even have to be anywhere near a host city, or even have any intention to attend the event to be a team member! (though you will miss all the fun!) ANYBODY can join ANY team, and all funds raised go towards that city’s tally. (Bob Roll is enrolled under Austin…remember the ’shave the fin’ campaign? He’s done quite well, and I’m SO jealous!)
So pick a city and sign up! To quote a very smart and world-famous sports blogger:
“I’ve got a lot of friends, and we’re working together to help fight it. Sure, it’s just a little drop in the bucket, but there are a lot of us. And we’re all going to put our drops in the bucket. And someday that bucket will be full, and we will have beaten you, cancer. And that’s a good reason to do this.”
The internet is a marvelous creation. Even people overseas can join the team! (please join San Jose! PRETTY PLEASE?)
Comment by REDRUDY28 | 05.6.2009 | 4:18 pm
I ran the NYC Marathon this year for the Livestrong Team. I raised roughly $5,000 and was able to do a marathon that is traditionally pretty difficult to get into. I also hate running, but felt that every sucky mile was worth the money I was raising for the fight against cancer.
Comment by MattC | 05.6.2009 | 4:27 pm
Rudy…you are DA MAN! How on earth did you raise 5 grand? DO TELL, PLEASE! (Seriously….I need hints…I SUCK at fundraising!)
Comment by Di | 05.6.2009 | 4:30 pm
I did two marathons. Had a horrible cold virus for the first one and excruciating IT Band Syndrome for the second. I was starting my training for the third when I discovered mountain biking. After two weeks, I put the kabosh on running.
My mountain bike racing record is MUCH better. I have yet to be sick for a MTB race. :-D
Comment by donbiker | 05.6.2009 | 6:55 pm
I’d like to join team San Jose but can’t figure out how. LAF/Team Fatty/San Jose? We old geezers are easily confused, I want to join somehow.
Ghandi said it well. “What you do is insignificant, but it is essential to do it.”
Before 1965 I ran. Never liked it but it helped keep me going. Started cycling in 1965 and never looked back. 180,000 miles since 1973. There were no computers before then.
Comment by MattC | 05.6.2009 | 9:36 pm
Donbiker..click on this link, it will take you right to the registration page to join the San Jose Team Fat Cyclist:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/home/waiver.asp?ievent=294743&lis=1&kntae294743=A06AC11159AB47849B95209582B687B4&jt=3274893&teamsName=Team+Fat+Cyclist%3A+Fighting+For+Susan
To quickly zing you thru the small print on the registration page, it will cost you $50 to join. THEN, to actually be eligible to participate in the event you need to raise at least $250. That amount only matters if you want to attend the event. Any amount you raise will be listed on your page, which will also add up under Team Fatty San Jose for the team total. Oh..and something about you need to have your OWN medical insurance for the ride…waiver of liability, blah blah blah…the usual legal stuff. Thanks for joining the team!
Comment by MattC | 05.6.2009 | 9:50 pm
Oh and Donbiker…that averages out to 5070 miles per year for 35.5 years (or to make it more impressive, you’ve effectively pedaled around the earth 7.2 times!) Holy Schmoley, I bow in your general direction! That is quite an impressive figure!! (Have you ever by chance done any calculations on how much equipment you use in a year? (tires, tubes, chains, lube, etc)?? I bet you’ve gone thru a WHOLE BUNCH of tires in those miles! RIDE ON DON!
Comment by Nix | 05.7.2009 | 12:47 am
If Livestrong would be more global, I would love to run for them. My friend and I pledged to run Comrades in 2010. This is an ultra marathon of 97km, we want to raise funds for children with cancer,in SA it is called CHOC.
Good thing it is only 2010 though, am at the moment doing only half marathons, next to my mountain biking.