Running Past.

"The miracle isn't that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start."  -John Bingham

My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008.  That following spring, my family and I competed in the Chicago Get Your Rear in Gear, as my mom sat on the sidelines getting chemo through her fanny pack and port. That race is my PR for 5K, and I'm not sure I will ever be able to beat it.  I didn't think about it then, but running must have been my stress outlet. I do remember saying, "Mom can't do this, you can. Keep going."  Since then I've participated in five races for Colon Cancer Awareness, three of which my mom is race director.

Chicago Get Your Rear in Gear 2009

Although I never realized it before, my mom is the reason I started running.  Thanks Mom!  

I continued running and racing here and there until 2012 when I tore my ACL in skiing accident.  Surgery and 6 months of physical therapy later, I was running again and moved to Chicago. My first race post surgery was the Terrapin 5K in Chicago.  

Another one of my running inspirations comes from my old boss and dear family friend.  In 2011, my friend Lori was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  She continued to run during chemotherapy, and asked me to run the Hot Chocolate 15K with her.  At the time, the farthest distance I had run in a race was a 5K and 6 miles on daily runs.  She told me, "Mollie, if I can do it, so you can you."   I couldn't say no to that.  My dad joined me on this run, and on our way home, my dad said he was disappointed I didn't ask him to run a half marathon next.   Seven months later we ran our first half.  We continue to run together when I go back home or he when he comes here.  Even though he has to slow his pace down, it's always better to run with someone.  In October, we will attempt our first marathon.