Mar 162012
Well, first of all, thanks for stopping by. This is my very first blog-post ever. I have never been confident enough to think that people would be interested in what was going on in my world- such as ‘hey everyone, great takeout from PF Changs last night.’ Or, ‘did you see that Madmen is coming back this season.’ So it takes something special for me to actually do this, like my friend Ted, who is the brains behind this website, and pretty much everything that happens technically, telling me “Jim, I need you to write a blog.’
Oh, and the other important item that prompted me to do this—the main thing–is that ‘Cancer Sucks.’ It really does suck—and we are trying to raise enough money this year to put us closer to a cure. Ted and I are running the New York Marathon on November 4th for Team In Training (TNT)—the PURPLE PEOPLE- I love TNT—maybe my attachment is because of the fact that I am a survivor of stage-4 non Hodgkins Lymphoma…and that TNT gives the bulk of the money that we raise directly to research—TNT has played a role in the research and development of 37 drugs—and since TNT was launched in 1989 (at the NY Marathon by the way)—we have raised over $1 Billion—I say ‘WE,’ because personally I have raised $60,000 now.
So this was a difficult decision for me—I was lying in bed last night thinking that we’re crazy—most of my friends greet my fundraising emails with “AGAIN JIM?” But then they give—because they are awesome people and I am also really good at bugging people—it may be my only God given talent.
The predicament is that I really am struggling with asking them again—but I just sent out some ‘testers’ today and my friend Suzanne was the first one in with a donation and she said ‘that was really great—you got to me.’ And she doesn’t compliment unless she really means it– So, I am hoping—and I have faith—that the $100,000 will come from somewhere.
I’ll wrap this first post up just by saying that this is special too—I ran New York in 2000 for TNT—I did Boston in ’99 for TNT (hint)—back then I simply wanted a number so I raised some money for a good cause—got my number—and I had no idea what Leukemia or Lymphoma were. And then in 2005 I was stricken with stage-4 cancer. God kept me alive—and you know what—none of us know for how long—I feel like we’re given this ‘window’- and you’re supposed to use it—I feel like my job is to run—raise money—and tell people who are currently battling cancer, that if I can get through this crap and run again, then you can too- if the story helps just one person—than it’s not wasted—and if we raise a bunch of money along the way to help to finally find a cure—then all the better—so I’m going to run and raise money until they either find a cure or peel me off the pavement.
And finally—if these yahoos can raise millions of dollars to run those crappy, negative political ads—well then I can raise $100,000 to help cure cancer…somehow.
That’s where you come in—I hope you can help us with whatever you can afford—whether it’s 5 dollars or 500 or 5,000….I appreciate you just as much. So, please give!
I’m also going to use this blog to update you about our training. And right now I am coaching a bunch of bad asses on the Williamson County TNT Team for the Country Music Half Marathon—I love my Team more than they’ll ever know—for being giving, un-selfish and selfless and raising money for people who are fighting cancer now… but maybe… just maybe, will be out there running next year. And some members of my Team have never owned running shoes before! It’s so gratifying to see them fired up and kicking ass!
Tomorrow we are scheduled to run 10-miles and I think we’ll have close to a full-team. They love running at River Park in Brentwood , and I do too-Tomorrow we do 10 miles—wish us luck!
I’ll be back with an update soon….hey I kind of like this Blog stuff…it’s all about me! And I have plenty to say!!
I personally want to hear about your p.f. changs dining experiences. I also know for a fact you have more than one God given talent and it certainly isn’t limited to bugging people. I mean that in a good way, of course
You’re truly amazing and i’m proud to say i was one of those people whom never owned a pair of running shoes until we crossed paths.