A month from today I am running the 10K race, virtually, as part of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend.  Several of the items on my 60 by Sixty list involve running goals.  One of them is to run a 10K and the other was to run with my friend Becca in a St. Jude’s run over the summer.  The pandemic kept the latter from happening, but I am still committed to running for St. Jude.  I wrote about “the why” in this post earlier in the year.

In honor of my 60th birthday, I pledged to raise $600 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  St. Jude’s provides care for children with cancer and their families never receive a bill.  This is possible because of donations made through fundraising events like the Memphis Marathon.  I am terrible about asking people to give money for things, but I am making an exception here.  My hope is that a hundred of my friends and family will each donate $6 to help me reach my fundraising goal

If you would like to donate, here is the link to my fundraising page.

As a 59 year old new runner, committing to running 6.2 miles was a leap of faith.  I wasn’t sure that I could do it, but I was sure that I could and would give it my best effort.  To make sure that I maintained a regular training schedule, I also registered to participate in the Get to Sesame Street 2021 500 Mile Virtual Run.  The goal is to run 500 miles throughout the year.  I am almost there. 

I should reach 500 miles this month as I continue training for the December run.  It could also be on race day, which might be kind of cool.  We’ll see how the numbers go.  After logging almost 500 miles, I am now confident, barring no unforeseen circumstances, that I can run a 10K.  My goal has never been to do it fast or do it to win.  I am running to challenge myself, to do my best to stay healthy, and to have some fun along the way.  So far, I’m three for three!

It’s funny how a nearly sixty year old adult can be so motivated by earning pins with characters from a TV show intended for preschoolers.   Oh well…whatever works.

During today’s five mile run, I listened to Mary Chaplin Carpenter’s song The Age of Miracles.  It has a refrain whose lyrics change slightly each time it is played.  One of the last times it is played the words are

If I’m just standing still

One day I’ll get up that hill

In the age of miracles, is one on the way

These words reached deep into my soul today.  The spoke to me as I finished my run.  But more than that, I thought about them from the place of a parent who is watching their child battle cancer.  Every minute of every day I hear them asking, “In the age of miracles, is one on the way?”

Again, if you are able, please consider donating to the work of St. Jude’s.

Thank you!