Friday, November 21, 2008

My Training Milestone

I just had to post a training milestone that I have never accomplished in my life. If you have read through my blog you know that I am training for a 5k race in February, the first of my life, and also a sprint triathlon in the April time frame. I was inspired to do this to help in my healing and to also let others know that you can come through this and do anything you want to if you have a positive attitude. I have never been in good shape in fact I don't think I have even ran a mile since elementary school. Well this morning I ran 2 miles non stop in 24 minutes 40 seconds. I have been using the program "Couch to a 5k" to help get me to this point. Sorry for my excitement, but if you told me 20 weeks ago that I would have reached this milestone then I would have told you that you were crazy. Keep the faith, Life is Good!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

20 Week Update - "Make A Difference"

I have mixed emotions about the 20 week anniversary since my surgery. First, It seems so surreal, I feel like I was dreaming and It actually didn't happen but when I look in the mirror I have a few little reminders that keep it fresh in my mind. I like to be reminded because it has really defined me as a person and given me the strong will to help others affected by prostate cancer. I am touched by the emails I have received since I created the blog and by the youth of the people affected. It confirms to me that this is not an "older persons" disease. The more of us who come forward the more lives we can save. We truly can band together and make a difference in this world. If you are reading this blog and were diagnosed or if your a survivor I challenge you to step up and make a difference. There are so many ways you can help in the fight. The are many great organizations that you can participate in such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Athletes for a Cure. I am training for a triathlon in the first quarter next year but I am also going to run a 5k race in the Ocala Marathon in February. I am going to register it with Athletes for a Cure and raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. You can read more on the great things the foundation is doing and already done to help find a cure at their web site, http://www.pcf.org/ . I will post information on how to make a donation for my 5k once I register. Also, I met one of the folks in person that I met through my blog this past weekend. He is a super nice guy and was about 6 weeks behind me from his surgery. He is doing very well and will be running a 5k race in a few weeks. It felt so good to see how well he looked and appreciated him making the effort to meet up with me. Meeting great people like this confirms to me that the fight is worth the effort. I am very blessed to be here today and thank God for the opportunity to live life to its fullness. Please join me and lets "Make A Difference" together.