Just a little change…..

When this “running stuff” started 5 years ago, there was no thought at all in my head about EVER running 100 miles. Funny how things can change so drastically in just a few years. I went from an over-weight, out of shape dude that had never ran more than 3 miles in my life to running marathons for fun, tackling 50k’s in a tutu and rolling in to a 3rd place finish in a 50 mile race. That is a pretty significant change of lifestyle in a relatively short time.

Just over one year ago, there was no thought about the impact that cancer would have on my life. For me, cancer had always been one of those things that happen to “other people” not anybody that I was close to. When things change- they change fast. A diagnosis of cancer for my dad in December of 2009, left me with a lot of questions. Surgery came within days and my head was spinning. In March, my mom was diagnosed and her surgery happened before I could fully grasp the situation. Fast. Both of my parents, within just a few months of each other, had been smacked by a horrible, silent, and all but invisible BEAST. Luckily, they were saved through surgery- life is forever different but they are still with us.

Not so lucky were two men that had a major impact on my life. I had known both of these men for over 30 years- which is basically my entire life. They both passed within days of each other, each losing their battles with the BEAST. Again, things happen fast and this was no exception. One battle lasted a few months and the other, just two weeks.

I became involved with the Relay For Life last year because of my parents. Sometimes we need a “wake up call” and I had mine. I went in blind- not knowing what it was really all about- but have learned so much, from some wonderful people in a short time. The Relay For Life is a great and necessary cause that I fully believe in- weird that it had been established in my community for several years but I never felt compelled to help out…. well, things have changed.

Here comes the part where I ask for your help. You knew that I would ask- right? So here is what I was thinking- if we could get one dime for every mile….. yep, one DIME- not one dollar- for one mile. I know what your thinking, “That is craziness…..at 10 cents per mile it would take like 100 miles to even make 10 dollars.” Well, fortunately I have thought that through (kind of) and, in less than a week, I will be lining up at the starting line of the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail Race in Huntsville, Texas. Because I am also a math whiz- all I have to do is run every one of those 100 miles and your $10 donation will break down to one dime per mile.

There will not be any gimmicks involved in this journey. The pink tutu stays home, the Honor Scroll awaits another opportunity, there will be no names written on my shirt with a sharpie and t-shirts will not be sold. (Although I do reserve the right to bust one or all of these out later in the year.) Nope- nothing over the top or flashy- just me and my pink laces in the Texas dirt for 100 miles.

Of course I could use maybe a little extra help. You see, my training has been less than great for this race and I really could use some inspiration and motivation, especially as the day turns to night and the tough miles start to come. This is where you can REALLY help me. If you wouldn’t mind sharing a unique story about yourself or a loved one that has been touched by cancer- I just know that it would help pull me through. It may sound silly to some of you but having been through this journey in the last year- I KNOW that it helps. I have been pulled along and carried over the hardest miles of some tough races by these stories of the real warriors in the FIGHT. Leave a comment here- or email me – [email protected].

I believe in the power of numbers- the more of these warriors I have with me- the better my odds. It also works the other way too- the more people that band together, in search of a world without cancer- the better our odds. This is something we CAN achieve- something we MUST achieve and I will not stop asking or trying until WE do.

FIGHT ON!!!

Click HERE to Donate Online

Or by mail
David Murphy
HC 72 Box 324-8
Wasola, MO 65773

Please make checks payable to- American Cancer Society