About two weeks ago I initiated contact with local race director Jeanne Lambert, in an effort to support her race, Run for Hope. www.runforhope.net My goal was to offer volunteer support as well as gift certificates to all her runners. This in all honesty would help promote my business, as well as support the race.
My goal as a trainer has always been to help my clients achieve what I thought to be total fitness. Great cardio, great strength, a healthy diet and a happier healthy approach to life.
My experience this weekend being around Jeanne, her family, the race participants and volunteers has open my eyes to what fitness really means to some people.
Jeanne’s race is for Carcinoid Cancer awareness and support. What is Carcinoid Cancer?
Carcinoid is a slow growing cancer. If it is all removed a person can be cured. However, there is always the risk of undetected microscopic cells remaining. These cells may show up after a number of years and would require chemotherapy or they could gradually kill a patient. The patient should be on periodic surveillance for at least 10 years. I recommend that you read the more comprehensive “Review of Carcinoid Disease” for a more in depth answer to this questions. (taken from the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation web site)www.carcinoid.org.
Jeanne is a survivor and a person of great spirit, strength and soul. She is a person who possesses two of the greatest gifts we can have, grace and humility. I was overwhelmed by her kindness an energy.
As a runner I have participated in many events to raise awareness, but my involvement has been limited. This weekend I was surrounded by women and men who have fought, are fighting and living through this disease. Although I didn’t have a chance to meet all 600 participants. To the person, the people I did get a chance to meet embodied what strength, spirit, hope, heart, and a happier healthy approach to life really means.
In other words, these men and women and their families, that have suffered or are suffering through this disease, truly define what True Fitness is. The will to face the challenges your given, the desire to push on, and the spirit to share love and happiness to everyone around you.
For those of you who support awareness events, keep going back! For those of you who don’t, get involved with these events at any level. Participant, volunteer or just cheer the runners/walkers on.
We will be adding an awareness events page that will have links to information on events near you. Get out, get involved, I guarantee it will change your life and open your eyes to a world filled with hope and love.
Be Healthy, Run Smart, Have Fun
Jeff