Yesterday I did my 20-mile training session – the longest distance I will go prior to the Marathon. For the next three weeks, I am in my pre-race taper, with mileages reducing noticeably each week and giving the body a chance to recover from 15 weeks of pounding the pavement and to heal any minor problems I may have. Training has gone well, and, although I was pretty tired after yesterday’s workout, I feel very good about where I am now. My times are still staying just a little under a 12 minute/mile pace for shorter to mid-range distances, and my 20 mile pace was 12:17. The first 15 miles were under 12, but it caught up with me in the last five – which also were (deliberately) more challenging topographically to approximate hitting several hills between miles 16 and 20 on the course.
In just three weeks, all this work and preparation will be put to the test. I would be dishonest if I said I am not getting just a little excited! Over the next ten days, I will be pulling together all of the logistical details for our travel, being sure that I have gear for any contingency we may face from weather, and trying to eliminate as many questions as possible so I reach the starting line relaxed and confident. Being a member of the Dana-Farber team takes a whole lot of local planning off the table – especially helpful for one who doesn’t know Boston or the area. We will be bussed to the start in Hopkinton, and will have a ‘retreat’ where we can relax (and stay warm or dry if the day isn’t quite what we would like!) until just before we head to the start. Sunday there is a pasta buffet for the team; at the finish line there will be volunteers to take team members to a recovery room at the Marriott, and once changed and (modestly) cleaned up we will be able to join family and friends in another room at the Marriott. Sounds as though they make it as stressless as they can. For someone who is not a morning person, the only problem is that we meet at 5:45 a.m. to walk to the busses!
Our pastor asked me to give the ‘Mission Moment’ at church a week ago – a chance for the congregation to hear how individuals or groups are active in outreach activities of all kinds. I very much appreciate his view that being a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team falls within the framework of reaching out and helping others. I have been pleased with the response, both verbal and in the form of contributions. And on that subject, when cheques that I have just recently sent in are added to my total, I will be a little over $7,240 – almost ¾ of the way there. The team, at last report, was barely shy of $2 million – not quite half way to the team goal. I will have to make another push to get over my personal hump. And I will repeat the way you can support my efforts: you can make an on-line donation by going to http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/alanc. Do this in honor or in memory of a family member or friend, or simply to support me. It all adds up, and provides much needed funds for innovative basic research efforts.
Over the last few weeks we have had everything from temperatures into the low 70’s to yesterday’s 22o at the start of my session. We may even have snow a day or two this week, but they are now predicting up to 80o by next Sunday! At least I am being exposed to all kinds of weather! So far I have been able to do almost all of my training out of doors, and haven’t had to resort to a treadmill.
Again, my thanks to all who have supported me. Not only is it important to Dana-Farber, but it certainly buoys the spirits especially on the longer runs.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Half Way Home
Now into the ninth (of 18) week of training, and I am half way home. Last Saturday, I did my scheduled 13 miles (and added another 0.1 mi just to make it a ‘full half’ marathon), at a pace of 11:57/mile – not too shabby for a senior citizen who can only walk! If I can keep up that pace for the full Marathon, I will blow away my personal record by about 10 minutes. I can dream, can’t I? Since Boston is a ‘downhill’ course – the profile shows a net loss of just over 400 ft in elevation (but let’s ignore those pesky uphill sections, especially from mile 16 to 21!) – maybe I will have a chance. Unlike a runner, though, I can’t really pick up speed on the downhill parts. On the other hand, I don’t seem to lose a lot on uphill stretches, which helps some.
Just as importantly, I have also just passed the half way mark toward my goal of $10,000 for Dana-Farber. For anyone who would like to support my efforts, perhaps in honor of a family member or friend who has recovered from cancer, in memory of one who succumbed to this terrible disease, or just to support me, you can make an on-line donation by going to http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/alanc/ If you would rather write a check, make it out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, and mail it to me at 541 McCormick Avenue, State College, PA 16801. I will forward it promptly to the folks at the Institute. Every dollar helps to support brilliant scientists who continue to make significant strides toward a world without cancer.
In central Pennsylvania, we haven’t been hit as hard with as much snow as some areas to our south and east. But I measured 14-21” at various places in our yard last Saturday, and as I write I can look out at more flakes coming down to add to the 5” or so we have had already today. Needless to say, this poses some considerable training challenges, as roads and sidewalks, if folks clear them the way they are supposed to do, will still be icy and slick. We are looking at lighter snowfall each day until at least the weekend, so I must figure out alternative ways of getting in the miles. Going round in circles on an indoor track gets pretty boring after 3-4 miles. Haven’t tried a treadmill, but may have to check it out at a local club. It’s not the temperatures that concern me – anything down to almost zero is really quite pleasant after the first ¼ mile or so when I am warmed up – but the footing. A broken bone or a severe sprain at this stage of training would not be good!
My excitement continues to build, as I look forward to participating in the granddaddy of all marathons. And my commitment is strengthened by all the wonderful support I have already received, and the continuing additions by so many friends. The Dana-Farber Marathon Team collectively has broken through $1 million at last report, but we still have a long way to go to reach the $4.4 million team goal.
Thank you again to all who have supported me. I will do my best to honor your faith.
Just as importantly, I have also just passed the half way mark toward my goal of $10,000 for Dana-Farber. For anyone who would like to support my efforts, perhaps in honor of a family member or friend who has recovered from cancer, in memory of one who succumbed to this terrible disease, or just to support me, you can make an on-line donation by going to http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/alanc/ If you would rather write a check, make it out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, and mail it to me at 541 McCormick Avenue, State College, PA 16801. I will forward it promptly to the folks at the Institute. Every dollar helps to support brilliant scientists who continue to make significant strides toward a world without cancer.
In central Pennsylvania, we haven’t been hit as hard with as much snow as some areas to our south and east. But I measured 14-21” at various places in our yard last Saturday, and as I write I can look out at more flakes coming down to add to the 5” or so we have had already today. Needless to say, this poses some considerable training challenges, as roads and sidewalks, if folks clear them the way they are supposed to do, will still be icy and slick. We are looking at lighter snowfall each day until at least the weekend, so I must figure out alternative ways of getting in the miles. Going round in circles on an indoor track gets pretty boring after 3-4 miles. Haven’t tried a treadmill, but may have to check it out at a local club. It’s not the temperatures that concern me – anything down to almost zero is really quite pleasant after the first ¼ mile or so when I am warmed up – but the footing. A broken bone or a severe sprain at this stage of training would not be good!
My excitement continues to build, as I look forward to participating in the granddaddy of all marathons. And my commitment is strengthened by all the wonderful support I have already received, and the continuing additions by so many friends. The Dana-Farber Marathon Team collectively has broken through $1 million at last report, but we still have a long way to go to reach the $4.4 million team goal.
Thank you again to all who have supported me. I will do my best to honor your faith.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Paul Heller, 1948-2010
Early this morning, I lost a long-time professional colleague and personal friend. Paul Heller lost his valiant struggle against cancer. He has waged a courageous battle for almost a year and a half, and last fall we not only hoped but thought that he had really turned the corner. But that was not to be.
It was with a very heavy heart that I did my miles this morning. Paul's memory will burn brightly as I continue my preparation for the marathon, and during the race itself. I continue to train, and will participate in honor of Angela and David, and now in memory of Paul.
Rest in Peace, good friend.
Alan
It was with a very heavy heart that I did my miles this morning. Paul's memory will burn brightly as I continue my preparation for the marathon, and during the race itself. I continue to train, and will participate in honor of Angela and David, and now in memory of Paul.
Rest in Peace, good friend.
Alan
Monday, January 18, 2010
JANUARY IS DISAPPEARING INTO THE MISTS!
Hard to realize that we are already well into January, and I am into the sixth week (of 18) of training. So far, so good, with no more than the usual minor set-backs along the way. Already I have trained in three states because of travel – Indiana and Virginia in addition to Pennsylvania. As a matter of fact, my ‘official’ training began in mid-December in Indianapolis, along the river and the canal on a cold and windy day with a few showers, when I was out there for meetings.
Even though it is still relatively early in my training and fund raising efforts, already I know that the next several months will be very different from any marathon training I have done previously. In the past, a marathon has been for 'me.' I must confess that this one really started out the same way - I was interested in some way to be a part of the Boston Marathon because it has a certain magic. As a walker, there is no way that I could qualify on the basis of time for Boston – the granddaddy of them all. That’s where the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team opportunity came in, and as I have said earlier, I feel both honored and humbled to have been accepted as a team member. As support keeps coming in, the opportunity to help to raise funds for the Barr Fund so it can continue to fund basic research shifts my selfish emphasis by 180 degrees. I am already acutely aware of what my participation may mean for others. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the work it does is so vital to so many. What started out as an opportunity has shifted to become an obligation for me – and one that I willingly accept. I had some considerable trepidation when I started about my ability to raise funds, but I am approaching the half way point of my $10K goal. There is a long way to go, but I will make it.
For those of you who haven’t yet committed financial support to my efforts, you may contribute on-line http://www.rundfmc.org/2010/alanc/ Or if you would prefer not to make a contribution on-line, you can mail a check, made out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (please do not make the check out to me!) and send it to me at: Alan Cameron, 541 McCormick Ave., State College, PA 16801. I will see that it is forwarded promptly for deposit. If you wish, you may indicate that the support is in honor of, or in memory of, someone special to you. To the many who have already contributed, again my thanks and appreciation; to others, thank you for considering providing me with additional support.
While I don’t too often show a lot of emotion, I will freely admit that on more than a few occasions I have quite literally been brought to tears as a consequence of my fundraising activities. Stories I have been told, notes that I have received, personal experiences of others – all of these have in different and very meaningful ways have touched me deeply. I guess I have always realized that cancer touches a lot of people. But never had I realized just how pervasive this deadly disease really is. Long time friends as well as people I barely know have shared comments, along with their financial support for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research, that really touch the heart. Individual contributions have ranged from $10 to over $1,000. Every single dollar counts, and I treasure the support of each individual contributor. Each of these contributions, when added to those of other team members, really will make a difference as we move a step closer to the goal of putting an end to cancer. The last report I saw is that the Team total is already over $600,000 – over 3 ½ miles along the 26.2 mile route. An updated total should be out soon.
Over Christmas, we were with our son and his wife at their home in southern Virginia. We had a White Christmas, as much of the snow from those paralyzing storms they had in December in that part of the country was still on the ground, and temperatures had remained much lower than those folks are used to seeing. Our daughter and her husband also joined the family there, and Kenzie joined me for 2-3 miles on a 7-mile run I did one brisk morning. Needless to say, that brought back a lot of wonderful memories of the Chicago Marathon (see my posting on November 8 for more – the start of it all for me) in addition to being a wonderful chance to enjoy each other’s company with no interruptions as we watched the sun rise and the suburban area slowly come to life on a Saturday morning. There are special pleasures, along with the rigors of training.
The first couple of weeks of January around here were much colder than normal, and the snow we received before Christmas stayed around with several additional increments added on top of the old snow. Fortunately most of the sidewalks and roads that I use are reasonably clear, so that hasn’t been too much of a problem. Just a need to be aware constantly of icy patches – and to be sure to wear tights and a long-sleeved shirt to stay warm at least until I warm up! Training inside is not an option for me – after about 4 miles (maximum!) of going around and around on the indoor track, I am about ready to scream! Besides, fresh air is always better, even with a bit of a wind blowing. Last Saturday was a 10-mile day. I am pleased to report that my time on all of my training walks is staying right around a 12:00 minute/mile pace. And that is in spite of having been shut down again for almost a week with a recurrence of a lower back problem which erupts periodically. Through the wonders of a good physiotherapist, however, I am back up to speed again and back on to my schedule. Come Marathon Day, most of the participants will already have received their medals, had their post-race food replenishment and even massages, and found their way into a warm shower or tub long before I cross the finish line. But I will enjoy all of those pleasures too, and I will cross the line ahead of at least one person, a runner (not a walker like me) who is younger than I am! I will earn my finisher’s medal. And I will have done my small part to help advance cancer research.
On a very difficult note, I spent most of the afternoon at the hospital today visiting with the wife of a long time dear colleague and friend, and one of those in whose honor I am participating. For a year and a half, I have marveled at his resilience in the face of cancer, and the come-backs he has made. Unfortunately the last couple of months have been increasingly difficult for Paul, and I am afraid that I said my final good-bye to him today. He slept throughout my visit, and isn’t at all responsive. Not a good day. So many people will miss him - as a colleague, as an excellent scientist in his area of expertise, and as a friend. It really drives home yet again just how important it is to find ways to beat this dreadful disease. How I want to participate in Honor of Paul, not in Memory of Paul. Whichever way, though, he will be with me each step of the way on the 19th.
Even though it is still relatively early in my training and fund raising efforts, already I know that the next several months will be very different from any marathon training I have done previously. In the past, a marathon has been for 'me.' I must confess that this one really started out the same way - I was interested in some way to be a part of the Boston Marathon because it has a certain magic. As a walker, there is no way that I could qualify on the basis of time for Boston – the granddaddy of them all. That’s where the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team opportunity came in, and as I have said earlier, I feel both honored and humbled to have been accepted as a team member. As support keeps coming in, the opportunity to help to raise funds for the Barr Fund so it can continue to fund basic research shifts my selfish emphasis by 180 degrees. I am already acutely aware of what my participation may mean for others. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the work it does is so vital to so many. What started out as an opportunity has shifted to become an obligation for me – and one that I willingly accept. I had some considerable trepidation when I started about my ability to raise funds, but I am approaching the half way point of my $10K goal. There is a long way to go, but I will make it.
For those of you who haven’t yet committed financial support to my efforts, you may contribute on-line http://www.rundfmc.org/2010/alanc/ Or if you would prefer not to make a contribution on-line, you can mail a check, made out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (please do not make the check out to me!) and send it to me at: Alan Cameron, 541 McCormick Ave., State College, PA 16801. I will see that it is forwarded promptly for deposit. If you wish, you may indicate that the support is in honor of, or in memory of, someone special to you. To the many who have already contributed, again my thanks and appreciation; to others, thank you for considering providing me with additional support.
While I don’t too often show a lot of emotion, I will freely admit that on more than a few occasions I have quite literally been brought to tears as a consequence of my fundraising activities. Stories I have been told, notes that I have received, personal experiences of others – all of these have in different and very meaningful ways have touched me deeply. I guess I have always realized that cancer touches a lot of people. But never had I realized just how pervasive this deadly disease really is. Long time friends as well as people I barely know have shared comments, along with their financial support for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research, that really touch the heart. Individual contributions have ranged from $10 to over $1,000. Every single dollar counts, and I treasure the support of each individual contributor. Each of these contributions, when added to those of other team members, really will make a difference as we move a step closer to the goal of putting an end to cancer. The last report I saw is that the Team total is already over $600,000 – over 3 ½ miles along the 26.2 mile route. An updated total should be out soon.
Over Christmas, we were with our son and his wife at their home in southern Virginia. We had a White Christmas, as much of the snow from those paralyzing storms they had in December in that part of the country was still on the ground, and temperatures had remained much lower than those folks are used to seeing. Our daughter and her husband also joined the family there, and Kenzie joined me for 2-3 miles on a 7-mile run I did one brisk morning. Needless to say, that brought back a lot of wonderful memories of the Chicago Marathon (see my posting on November 8 for more – the start of it all for me) in addition to being a wonderful chance to enjoy each other’s company with no interruptions as we watched the sun rise and the suburban area slowly come to life on a Saturday morning. There are special pleasures, along with the rigors of training.
The first couple of weeks of January around here were much colder than normal, and the snow we received before Christmas stayed around with several additional increments added on top of the old snow. Fortunately most of the sidewalks and roads that I use are reasonably clear, so that hasn’t been too much of a problem. Just a need to be aware constantly of icy patches – and to be sure to wear tights and a long-sleeved shirt to stay warm at least until I warm up! Training inside is not an option for me – after about 4 miles (maximum!) of going around and around on the indoor track, I am about ready to scream! Besides, fresh air is always better, even with a bit of a wind blowing. Last Saturday was a 10-mile day. I am pleased to report that my time on all of my training walks is staying right around a 12:00 minute/mile pace. And that is in spite of having been shut down again for almost a week with a recurrence of a lower back problem which erupts periodically. Through the wonders of a good physiotherapist, however, I am back up to speed again and back on to my schedule. Come Marathon Day, most of the participants will already have received their medals, had their post-race food replenishment and even massages, and found their way into a warm shower or tub long before I cross the finish line. But I will enjoy all of those pleasures too, and I will cross the line ahead of at least one person, a runner (not a walker like me) who is younger than I am! I will earn my finisher’s medal. And I will have done my small part to help advance cancer research.
On a very difficult note, I spent most of the afternoon at the hospital today visiting with the wife of a long time dear colleague and friend, and one of those in whose honor I am participating. For a year and a half, I have marveled at his resilience in the face of cancer, and the come-backs he has made. Unfortunately the last couple of months have been increasingly difficult for Paul, and I am afraid that I said my final good-bye to him today. He slept throughout my visit, and isn’t at all responsive. Not a good day. So many people will miss him - as a colleague, as an excellent scientist in his area of expertise, and as a friend. It really drives home yet again just how important it is to find ways to beat this dreadful disease. How I want to participate in Honor of Paul, not in Memory of Paul. Whichever way, though, he will be with me each step of the way on the 19th.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving
A Good Thanksgiving
Let me start by saying ‘I lied!’ in my first blog! I said that comments would not relate to my own training progress. But this one is a little different. What happened yesterday truly does make it ‘a good Thanksgiving’ for me in a very personal and selfish way. At the same time that I write about my own good fortune in this instance, I am very much aware of so many other things for which I am thankful, beginning with family.
First, a bit of history. Ironically, on the day I received an e-mail saying that I had been accepted to the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team for 2010, my ability to train was shut down! We had a snowstorm back in October that left 7” of very heavy and wet snow on the ground here – and a lot that didn’t make it to the ground remained on leaves of trees. Needless to say, there was tremendous loss of limbs of all sizes, and often whole trees. Hardwood tree architecture is simply not designed to carry so much extra weight at the ends of branches. One of our dogwood trees looked pretty pathetic by the time I cut off all of the broken and cracked branches, so it had to come down.
With my trusty bow saw, I cut off all of the branches, but called a friend with a chain saw to make the final ground level cut to bring down the remaining 7-8 foot ‘stump.’ He is also a wood turner, so was excited by the prospect of getting so much dogwood – a very dense wood – that he could use. Both of us have cut hundreds, if not thousands, of trees over the years, and are certainly safety conscious. He arrived fully equipped – chain saw chaps, steel-toed boots, head and ear protection. I steadied the stump so it wouldn’t bind the saw as he made the cut. He finished, put the saw down, stood up, put his hand on the stump with mine, looked at me and said ‘OK,’ and we pushed the stump over. Unfortunately…it kicked back and a branch stub hit square in the middle of the nail of my big toe – which was not protected by a steel-toed boot. The result was a chip off each side of the end of the bone in the big toe (but no skin breakage, so it wasn’t at all messy!).
Jump ahead to yesterday. I visited my orthopedic doctor, and he told me that I could stop wearing the big grey boot I had worn ever since to protect the toe as it healed. Within an hour, I was on the track to see - gingerly at first - just how it felt. And everything felt good! I did only two miles (predetermined as the maximum I would do), and was pleased to see that my time (12:20 pace) wasn’t nearly as bad as I had feared it would be after five weeks of no power walking! Today I did three miles, and dropped my pace to 12:11 – that is at least 15 – 20 seconds faster than my pace at the beginning of my training for the Ottawa Marathon last spring. Not that the difference is all that important at this stage, but at least it is encouraging. The good news is that most of my joints seem to be functioning the way they should, and muscles aren’t really crying out either. For this I am very thankful.
In just three weeks, I will begin my ‘formal’ training program for
Over the next week or ten days, I will be kicking off my fundraising campaign in earnest. I would be honored, and very appreciative, if you would visit my Dana-Farber personal web page and make a contribution toward our Team Goal of $4.4 million this year. Contributions may be made on line at
http://www.rundfmc.org/2010/alanc/
If you would prefer not to make the contribution on-line, you can mail a check, made out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. (Please do not make the check out to me!) Send it to me at: Alan Cameron,
Thank you for your support! It will make a difference when added to all of the other support our team is able to generate. The team is off to a great start! As of today, we have raised more than $230,000. At $168,000/mile, that puts us about 1 1/3 miles along the 26.2 mile course. This is about the stage where the pace picks up a little, and I need to kick it up a notch too. We are working toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
WELCOME TO MY DFMC TEAM WEB PAGE ‘SUPPLEMENT!’
I am both delighted and humbled to have been selected to be a member of the 2010 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Marathon Challenge Team (DFCM Team) to participate in the 114th Boston Marathon on April 19. The opportunity to do something more than ‘just train’ for another marathon is both exciting and challenging.
Fair warning - I don’t expect that this page will turn into what I think of as a ‘blog’ – frequent updates on how I feel, what my last time and distance results are throughout training, or so many other mundane (to me, at least) kinds of reports. Rather, I expect to use this occasionally to provide additional information that may be of broader interest, related primarily to my goal of raising at least $10,000 in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. Now that’s a mouthful! It is also the ‘official’ name of the program that receives all of the funds contributed in support of my efforts.
This posting, doubtless much longer than future ones will be, is designed to provide those of you who may be interested with some insight into the reasons I applied for selection to the DFMC Team. The application was lengthy and thorough. I have no idea how many applicants they had, nor do I yet know how many of the team members are recipients of a ‘charity’ bib. I do know that I am not the oldest person on the team; one member (at least) is 72 years old. But I am very close!
You may know that Boston is a Marathon that admits only those who ‘qualify’ on the basis of a previous marathon time, based on age group. At my age, I would have had to have done a marathon in no more than 4:30:00. My best time is 5:22:53. (Not too shabby, since I can’t run but ‘only’ walk.) A limited number of organizations are provided ‘charity bibs’ by the Boston Athletic Association each year to aid in their fundraising. And I was lucky enough to receive one of the Dana-Farber bibs. In return, I am committed to raising financial support for research. (And, I might add, they already have my credit card number. They will charge me personally, following the Marathon, for any deficit – which I hope, for a variety of reasons, does not exist – should I fail to raise the minimum support required by the B.A.A. of all charity bib recipients no matter which charity they support.)
Why did I apply for the DFMC Team?
Among my own relatives, cancer has taken two grandparents, my mother-in-law, and a cousin, and has affected in one way or another many others including a parent, brothers, a sister, my wife, a grand-niece, a sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, in addition to me. I have lost good friends and colleagues, but I also have watched others fight and, at least so far, win battles against various forms of this disease. Research continues to find some cures, but much remains to be done. The research effort continues to need more support than public funds make available. There is a need to fund innovative basic cancer research, which fuels my desire to participate on a team that benefits the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. As an emeritus professor (Entomology), I understand the critical need for funding for basic research projects that allow new investigators to explore innovative ideas and obtain pilot data so they can launch their careers and pursue further funding to continue what can become ground-breaking research.
Am I participating in honor of someone?
While numerous friends and relatives have been touched by cancer, I have chosen three persons to represent all.
A teenage grand-niece, Angela, went through a year of challenging treatments as she battled lymphoma. Although I live hundreds of miles away from her, I felt deeply the anguish the entire family experienced during the time of her diagnosis and treatment. As a high school senior, she is now in remission, has been for almost two years, and has been able to work through all of the challenges with a positive disposition with the support of her family and friends. She is an inspiration to others with her attitude and outlook, and keenly recognizes, as do we all, how fortunate she is that medical advances have helped her reach her current state.
A long time colleague and friend had a large section of his colon removed almost a year ago because of cancer, and continues a valiant, and so far successful, fight both to recover from this and against metastasis to the liver. He, too, is the beneficiary of some of the new but very expensive drugs that research has produced. As a scientist, I believe in the promise of future research, and am well aware of the funding needed to continue to pursue such research to identify and make available the treatments to better understand and ultimately conquer cancer.
Our neighbor, David, is currently fighting a glioblastoma; his challenge is severe. Seeing the very difficult decisions that both he and his family are making, and will need to make, puts a very personal “face” on the challenge of living with and fighting cancer daily.
What is my personal fundraising goal?
My goal is to raise $10,000, but I do not put a cap on the top end.
Why do I ask for your support?
I ask you to consider the incidence of cancer in your immediate family, and to recognize that survival (or ‘beating it’) depends on the results of modern medicine. This, in turn, depends on the continuing output from (expensive) research and development. You may also choose to remember family members or friends whom you have lost to cancer. The need for funds in excess of what public monies can provide is great. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team for this year has a goal of raising $4.4 million dollars to add to the over 40 million dollars it has raised over the last 20 years to carry out its mission. Please use the ‘DFMC Dollars in Action’ button on my DFMC Team web page to explore some of the impressive results achieved as a result of DFMC grants in previous years.
Why a Marathon?
For more than 25 years I have been unable to run because of a knee problem, but I can power walk. For years our daughter, Kenzie, and I had been talking (only half-seriously) about doing a marathon together, neither one of us having done more than a 10K - and never together. Four and a half years ago, not long after she moved to Chicago, I received an e-mail saying she had signed us up for the Chicago Marathon in October of 2005. That began one of the most challenging, exciting, and personally rewarding experiences I have had. Not being able to run, but having walked in numerous ‘runs’ over the years, I was comfortable with my two consistent goals: finish the race while the clock is still running (so my time is official), and have at least one person, (preferably a runner and preferably younger than I am!), finish behind me. Anything else is pure gravy.
We followed an 18 week training program (she in Chicago, me in State College), getting together several times for long runs. Clearly Kenzie could leave me in her dust, but she said early on, ‘Dad, we are doing this together; end of discussion!’ when I suggested that she train at a comfortable pace for her. When the day of the Marathon finally arrived, we hit the starting line hand in hand, and 26.2 miles later crossed the finish line hand in hand, but with our hands high over our heads and huge smiles and tears of joy on our faces! And we beat out target time by over 30 minutes!
I have since done a half marathon (Ottawa, 2006), winning my age class among the walkers (they time walkers separately in Ottawa), the Twin Cities Marathon (2008) at which our daughter completely surprised me by flying in to be a part of my ‘curb crew,’ and the Ottawa Marathon (2009) in which I was the 3rd male walker to finish, won my age class among walkers, and was 3rd overall in my age class – beating 5 other runners and 3 other walkers. In each successive Marathon, I have set a new PR – exciting at my age!
While not quite addictive, marathoning is a great way to stay in shape, and to enjoy the out-of-doors during those many training runs when I can either clear my mind, or mull over problems that need to be solved. Travel to race locales, and especially meeting a broad cross-section of people who share a common goal - the personal challenge of completing 26.2 miles on foot and enjoying every step of the way - is educational and rewarding. Those of us well back in the pack really can smell the roses as we work our way to the finish line. It turns out that there are some pretty neat people along the way, not the least of whom are the hundreds of thousands of unknown supporters lining the curb to encourage us every step of the way.
What do I ask of you?
Since I am fortunate enough to be able to have so much fun, I want to leverage this into support for those who are not as lucky. Because I cannot run, I am unable to meet the qualifying time for Boston Marathon participants. But I can walk fast enough to make it to the finish line before they close the course. I am honored to have been selected to the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team and receive one of their limited number of ‘charity’ bibs.
Please help me by adding your financial support, at whatever level you feel is right for you, and in honor of a cancer survivor, in memory of someone special to you who has fallen victim to this disease, or simply to support me as I attempt to meet my financial support goal for the Institute. I have already made my personal contribution.
You may make a contribution on-line by going to my personal web page on the Dana-Farber site at
http://www.rundfmc.org/2010/alanc/
and following the instructions. If you prefer not to contribute electronically, please send me a check made out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and I will forward it for deposit.
Thank you so much for joining me in this endeavor. Together, we will make a difference.
Fair warning - I don’t expect that this page will turn into what I think of as a ‘blog’ – frequent updates on how I feel, what my last time and distance results are throughout training, or so many other mundane (to me, at least) kinds of reports. Rather, I expect to use this occasionally to provide additional information that may be of broader interest, related primarily to my goal of raising at least $10,000 in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. Now that’s a mouthful! It is also the ‘official’ name of the program that receives all of the funds contributed in support of my efforts.
This posting, doubtless much longer than future ones will be, is designed to provide those of you who may be interested with some insight into the reasons I applied for selection to the DFMC Team. The application was lengthy and thorough. I have no idea how many applicants they had, nor do I yet know how many of the team members are recipients of a ‘charity’ bib. I do know that I am not the oldest person on the team; one member (at least) is 72 years old. But I am very close!
You may know that Boston is a Marathon that admits only those who ‘qualify’ on the basis of a previous marathon time, based on age group. At my age, I would have had to have done a marathon in no more than 4:30:00. My best time is 5:22:53. (Not too shabby, since I can’t run but ‘only’ walk.) A limited number of organizations are provided ‘charity bibs’ by the Boston Athletic Association each year to aid in their fundraising. And I was lucky enough to receive one of the Dana-Farber bibs. In return, I am committed to raising financial support for research. (And, I might add, they already have my credit card number. They will charge me personally, following the Marathon, for any deficit – which I hope, for a variety of reasons, does not exist – should I fail to raise the minimum support required by the B.A.A. of all charity bib recipients no matter which charity they support.)
Why did I apply for the DFMC Team?
Among my own relatives, cancer has taken two grandparents, my mother-in-law, and a cousin, and has affected in one way or another many others including a parent, brothers, a sister, my wife, a grand-niece, a sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, in addition to me. I have lost good friends and colleagues, but I also have watched others fight and, at least so far, win battles against various forms of this disease. Research continues to find some cures, but much remains to be done. The research effort continues to need more support than public funds make available. There is a need to fund innovative basic cancer research, which fuels my desire to participate on a team that benefits the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. As an emeritus professor (Entomology), I understand the critical need for funding for basic research projects that allow new investigators to explore innovative ideas and obtain pilot data so they can launch their careers and pursue further funding to continue what can become ground-breaking research.
Am I participating in honor of someone?
While numerous friends and relatives have been touched by cancer, I have chosen three persons to represent all.
A teenage grand-niece, Angela, went through a year of challenging treatments as she battled lymphoma. Although I live hundreds of miles away from her, I felt deeply the anguish the entire family experienced during the time of her diagnosis and treatment. As a high school senior, she is now in remission, has been for almost two years, and has been able to work through all of the challenges with a positive disposition with the support of her family and friends. She is an inspiration to others with her attitude and outlook, and keenly recognizes, as do we all, how fortunate she is that medical advances have helped her reach her current state.
A long time colleague and friend had a large section of his colon removed almost a year ago because of cancer, and continues a valiant, and so far successful, fight both to recover from this and against metastasis to the liver. He, too, is the beneficiary of some of the new but very expensive drugs that research has produced. As a scientist, I believe in the promise of future research, and am well aware of the funding needed to continue to pursue such research to identify and make available the treatments to better understand and ultimately conquer cancer.
Our neighbor, David, is currently fighting a glioblastoma; his challenge is severe. Seeing the very difficult decisions that both he and his family are making, and will need to make, puts a very personal “face” on the challenge of living with and fighting cancer daily.
What is my personal fundraising goal?
My goal is to raise $10,000, but I do not put a cap on the top end.
Why do I ask for your support?
I ask you to consider the incidence of cancer in your immediate family, and to recognize that survival (or ‘beating it’) depends on the results of modern medicine. This, in turn, depends on the continuing output from (expensive) research and development. You may also choose to remember family members or friends whom you have lost to cancer. The need for funds in excess of what public monies can provide is great. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team for this year has a goal of raising $4.4 million dollars to add to the over 40 million dollars it has raised over the last 20 years to carry out its mission. Please use the ‘DFMC Dollars in Action’ button on my DFMC Team web page to explore some of the impressive results achieved as a result of DFMC grants in previous years.
Why a Marathon?
For more than 25 years I have been unable to run because of a knee problem, but I can power walk. For years our daughter, Kenzie, and I had been talking (only half-seriously) about doing a marathon together, neither one of us having done more than a 10K - and never together. Four and a half years ago, not long after she moved to Chicago, I received an e-mail saying she had signed us up for the Chicago Marathon in October of 2005. That began one of the most challenging, exciting, and personally rewarding experiences I have had. Not being able to run, but having walked in numerous ‘runs’ over the years, I was comfortable with my two consistent goals: finish the race while the clock is still running (so my time is official), and have at least one person, (preferably a runner and preferably younger than I am!), finish behind me. Anything else is pure gravy.
We followed an 18 week training program (she in Chicago, me in State College), getting together several times for long runs. Clearly Kenzie could leave me in her dust, but she said early on, ‘Dad, we are doing this together; end of discussion!’ when I suggested that she train at a comfortable pace for her. When the day of the Marathon finally arrived, we hit the starting line hand in hand, and 26.2 miles later crossed the finish line hand in hand, but with our hands high over our heads and huge smiles and tears of joy on our faces! And we beat out target time by over 30 minutes!
I have since done a half marathon (Ottawa, 2006), winning my age class among the walkers (they time walkers separately in Ottawa), the Twin Cities Marathon (2008) at which our daughter completely surprised me by flying in to be a part of my ‘curb crew,’ and the Ottawa Marathon (2009) in which I was the 3rd male walker to finish, won my age class among walkers, and was 3rd overall in my age class – beating 5 other runners and 3 other walkers. In each successive Marathon, I have set a new PR – exciting at my age!
While not quite addictive, marathoning is a great way to stay in shape, and to enjoy the out-of-doors during those many training runs when I can either clear my mind, or mull over problems that need to be solved. Travel to race locales, and especially meeting a broad cross-section of people who share a common goal - the personal challenge of completing 26.2 miles on foot and enjoying every step of the way - is educational and rewarding. Those of us well back in the pack really can smell the roses as we work our way to the finish line. It turns out that there are some pretty neat people along the way, not the least of whom are the hundreds of thousands of unknown supporters lining the curb to encourage us every step of the way.
What do I ask of you?
Since I am fortunate enough to be able to have so much fun, I want to leverage this into support for those who are not as lucky. Because I cannot run, I am unable to meet the qualifying time for Boston Marathon participants. But I can walk fast enough to make it to the finish line before they close the course. I am honored to have been selected to the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team and receive one of their limited number of ‘charity’ bibs.
Please help me by adding your financial support, at whatever level you feel is right for you, and in honor of a cancer survivor, in memory of someone special to you who has fallen victim to this disease, or simply to support me as I attempt to meet my financial support goal for the Institute. I have already made my personal contribution.
You may make a contribution on-line by going to my personal web page on the Dana-Farber site at
http://www.rundfmc.org/2010/alanc/
and following the instructions. If you prefer not to contribute electronically, please send me a check made out to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and I will forward it for deposit.
Thank you so much for joining me in this endeavor. Together, we will make a difference.
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