My Mission

Why I’m running.

I’m running for those who cannot

Finishing in Atlanta in 2007 was a remarkable feeling.  It was a deeply personal race—a chance to prove to myself and to my body that I’d rebounded from something I’d let hold me back for years.  GBS and its effects are with me to stay, but I was able to run.

There are those who encounter GBS/CIDP and never get the chance to rebound.  In the words of the GBS/CIDP Foundation International:

“Although most people recover, the length of the illness is unpredictable and often months of hospital care are required. The majority of patients eventually return to a normal or near normal lifestyle, but many endure a protracted recovery and some remain wheelchair-bound indefinitely.”

I’m running because I can

Yes, I finished last year.  But between a knee injury and the wall (the metaphorical one) at mile 19, I don’t feel like I left my best effort along the 26.2. 

This year, I’ll be training smarter, eating better, praying harder and ultimately, running faster. 

I’m running to make sure GBS/CIDP is seen

I have every ounce of respect for those who fundraise for other charities (heck, I’ve done it quite a bit!) or run marathons for personal reasons. 

But just as the relatively smaller number of cases of GBS/CIDP results in less awareness of the condition in the general and medical communities, the scarcity of runners in these “big” races supporting GBS/CIDP can make us feel like a drop in the ocean.

However, just as those who’ve shared their stories at www.gbs-cidp.org have succeeded in raising awareness, I hope to spread the knowledge even more.  We’re part of a bigger team even though we haven’t met, and if even just one runner in Chicago asks me about GBS, I’ll have succeeded!

I’m running for fun!

As much as I complained about practices during High School XC and track, and as much as I complained about distance on treadmills in preparation for that ING Georgia Marathon . . . at the end of the day marathons are a blast!

There was a time before I was literally stopped in my tracks by GBS where some aspects of running came a little more easily to me, and I ran faster with greater ease.  Running was fun then.

I’m reclaiming the fun!  NOW!

I’m running through the wall

It caught me by surprise in a big way.  But after stretching out a tightened hamstring in Atlanta at mile 19 . . . I was DONE for a good 2 – 3 miles.  I don’t remember much of that distance, save how rotten it felt and how a few Oreo cookies boosted my blood sugar and saved the day.

So, pssst . . . hey wall—I’m going to destroy you!

I’m running to get everything else back on track

It’s pretty stinkin’ unbelievable how when you hit your stride (literally), you also HIT YOUR STRIDE (figuratively).  It’s been an exciting year, and I’m hoping I can sustain the momentum and get my act together at life.  Again. ;)

If you would like to learn more about GBS/CIDP, please visit http://www.gbs-cidp.org/aboutgbs.htm.

If you would like to make a contribution, please reach out to me and I can mail your check made out to ‘GBS/CIDP Foundation International’ to the organization.  Of, if you would like to contribute with a credit card, please visit http://www.gbs-cidp.org/contributionpageintro.html and feel free to make an ‘In Honor Of’ contribution.  (I may try to set-up a nifty event-specific page for the marathon; stay tuned!)

Thanks for reading, and hopefully I’ll see you on the roads!