The Intersection of Running and Cancer

 The intersection of running and cancer

I ran my first marathon in 2011 in San Diego. I wanted to run one before I started having kids. I had 4 kids and stopped running. I never thought I’d run another marathon again. In February of 2022 my mom was diagnosed with advanced stage uterine cancer. The diagnosis rocked our family’s world. Shortly after she was diagnosed, I started running again. I found it was one of the best ways to take care of myself during a dark and heavy time. Some of my best friends rallied around me and we all ran the Napa Valley half marathon in July of that year. It was a very emotional and healing race for me. I was moved by the village of people it takes to support a single person through a long distance race and by my village of friends and family that supported me in my lowest times. I was moved by the strength, dedication, discipline and spirit of each person that trained and competed. As I ran, I reflected on the parallels of our family’s experience with cancer. In my mom’s battle with cancer, our family was moved by the village of people it took to support my mom and our family through the long and hard treatments. Anyone that witnessed and continues to witness my mom’s cancer journey will tell you it’s moving to watch her fight with strength, dedication, discipline and spirit. It’s the individual fortitude combined with the communal aid where these two worlds intersect, and it’s been stirring to witness and participate in both.

 

My mom entered remission in August 2022. My love and commitment to running returned. I ran in the NYC marathon in November 2024, and after I felt my racing journey wasn’t over. My mom’s cancer journey isn’t over either. She’s had radiation since her remission in August 2022, and she will likely need more. There have been incredible breakthroughs in cancer treatment, specifically for gynecological cancers, since she was first diagnosed, much in part to efforts from organizations like the American Cancer Society. There is a lot of journey left, hope in the possibility of a cure, and so much comfort in being in this together. 

I hope you’ll consider being part of my team to help fight against cancer as we journey on together.

 

Love,

A