Philadelphia Marathon

Hi All,
It's been a long time since I blogged. Since I've been back in the states, Cheryl and I have been busy doing all sorts of stuff. Hopefully I'll share some of the more interesting stuff with everybody a bit later (when there is time).
This blog is about Cheryl and running. I know I've done other blogs about Cheryl and running. This ones a little different since she's already done. Yes, she ran her 4th Marathon, her third in 13 months. This one was in some ways the hardest and in other ways the easiest. Don't worry I'll explain.

That's Barbara and Bob with Cheryl above. They put us up for the week and put up with us for the week. I know a lot of you out there know what that's like. Hopefully they won't be scarred for life.

Back to the story. This marathon was by far the hardest for Cheryl to train for, the motivation to train was somewhat nonexistent at times. Some of the reasons (not necessarily in this order) were the weather, a husband back from London, and who the heck wants to train for another marathon already (she's been there and done that). So in a lot of ways we were both glad this day has come and gone.
I think the one thing that kept Cheryl on track for this one was the memory of a friend who had passed away during the last couple of months. Here I'll let her explain.

As many of you know, this has been a momentous year for me - in both good and bad ways. And one thing I've crazily compelled myself to do is run my third marathon in 13 months. That takes dedication and support, and sometimes both are hard to find. But one thing that's moved me this year is the loss of a dear family friend. I'd known Roni Lemos my entire life - literally. Our parents are lifelong friends; Roni, her sisters, my brother and I shared childhood weekends together at the pool, the shopping mall, and in each other's rooms late at night when our parents thought we were all asleep.

Over the last few months, it's been hard to hit the pavement, and as the weather cools and the days get shorter, motivation dwindles even more. But one thing that I've kept in mind over the last few months is the fact that I could get out there and run - that I was healthy when someone about my own age was in and out of the hospital, surgery, chemo. It made me appreciate what I'm able to do all the more, and moved me to make the most of it.

That's why I've decided to dedicate my running of the Philalephia Marathon on November 23 to Roni and her memory. Please consider supporting my efforts.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Here are some links just in case you would still like to donate. Any amount would be appreciated and would help the cause. Don't feel it's mandatory since this blog has always been free and will remain free until the end of time or the end of the internet (whichever comes first). Oh yeah, Thanks to all those that have given already.

Cheryl's Firstgiving Page

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Back to the run. Now don't the girls above look warm. I borrowed this picture from the Marine Corp Marathon that Cheryl ran last year. The cheerleading squad didn't make the trip to Philadelphia but if they did they would have been dressed a little differently.

Have I mentioned yet, that it was cold in Philadelphia that morning. It was 24° F at the start. Who in their right mind is outside standing around waiting for a marathon to start when its that cold. It turns out some 20,000 runners and some 60,000 or so spectators were crazy enough to do it.

Cheryl's face in the picture above (she's the one in the orange vest) basically sums up the experience. They started playing the theme from Rocky shortly before the start of the race and somehow I think that song made everyone forget how cold it was and then all were ready to just start running already. Thanks Rock.

Finally they started running, and I headed for Starbucks to wait out the 4 hours or so of running and then meeting Cheryl at the end. Ok that would have been the smart way to do it, I'm not that smart. I got coffee and headed out to join the real crazy people standing around watching the crazy icicle clad runners.

It was pretty easy to getting around to see the runners as they wound around Central Philly. I saw Cheryl at mile 6 and mile 13. Bob and Barbara saw her between miles 19 and 20 and reported back to me by phone that she was still going strong.

I saw her again at mile 24.5 and she was still smiling and looking great. Some of the other runners were really suffering at that point.

It turned out Cheryl ran her second best marathon ever. Second only to her first one back in Chicago some seven years ago. You really are (and were) amazing.

Here are her times for all those that like to keep track of these things.

For Cheryl's celebratory lunch we went for Philly Cheesesteaks. These are probably the best cheesesteaks in the world or at least on that side of the street. If you go to Philly you should be required to go to Pat's (often), here is their website http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/.