Read more about us on the Lymphatic Research Foundation's blog.
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| The NYC Lymphedema Run Team: Christine, Elizabeth + Marissa |
From Christine:
I recently started reading Eat & Run by the famous ultra marathon runner Scott Jurek. At the beginning of each chapter he shares a thoughtful quote which could easily stand alone as a life lesson, but more appropriately ties in with his purposeful message found in the few pages it proceeds. One of my favorites happens to be from Jeremy Collins -"Sometimes the best journeys aren't necessarily from east to west, or from ground to summit, but from heart to mind. Between them we find our voice." This quote stands out to me for multiple reasons. It speaks so true to the mission I strive to live on a daily basis (although I admit, some days are better than others), and to my reasons for running, especially those longer distances that most find inconceivable, let alone comprehensible or even joyful for that matter. And it's in those longer distances that I often find myself most at peace, able to focus on one thing, able to dedicate all my energy and attention to a single task, a privilege, I think, in today's world which is constantly bombarding all of us with an infinite amount of stimuli, expecting us to multitask a-l-w-a-y-s. This single task allows me to reconnect along my journey from heart to mind. It allows for those causes I hold close to my heart to be transformed into action, which in this case means running 26.2 miles with two of most incredible women I know - Marissa and Elizabeth - through the city of New York for the Lymphedema Research Foundation. So if you're still wondering why I'm so excited to run the NYC Marathon in November, it's to continue my journey from heart to mind in support of a cure for Lymphedema.
From Elizabeth:
There is something about the marathon that underscores running’s collective character. Of course, traditionally speaking, most people do not consider running in general, or marathon running in particular, to be a team sport. I didn’t always think of running in this way, either. In fact, part of what first drew me to running was a desire to move away from team sports. Unlike basketball, volleyball, softball, and other sports I played while growing up, running allowed me to define success or failure on my own terms, to free myself from other people’s expectations (and the myriad other constraints and pressures that accompany adolescence), and to experience some moments, minutes, or hours in the day that were completely my own.
But over the years, and miles, I have come to appreciate another
side of running—one that is profoundly, and quite surprisingly (at least
initially), collaborative in nature. The marathon, in particular,
puts this in striking relief. From the earliest stages of training,
marathon running requires the support of friends, coworkers, and loved ones,
who deal with the schedule-shifting and tiredness (on our part) that long runs
so often entail. These same individuals provide needed encouragement
during training’s difficult patches and cheer for us during its high
points. It is difficult to imagine running 26.2 miles without the
forms of emotional and material support (peanut butter and honey sandwiches
included!) that those dearest to us provide. To be sure, race day
itself would be utterly impossible without the collaboration of innumerable
people, all with different talents and playing different roles—from those who
coordinate the event, to the volunteers who help sustain thousands of runners
along the way, to the crowds who root us on from the sidelines, to the friends
and family who share in the joy and sweaty hugs at the finish
line. Perhaps one of the biggest lessons that the marathon has to
offer is that, as people, we need each other, and together, we can make amazing
things happen.
What better reason to make running the New York City Marathon
part of our broader effort to find a cure for lymphedema? Having supported
Marissa and Christine during their 50K in April, as a race volunteer, friend,
and sweat sister, I have witnessed the power of running for this cause to bring
out the very best of human nature. To be a part of this movement,
and to train for and run NYC for LRF with two of the women who inspire me most,
thrills me beyond description—quite possibly above all because I know that I’m
in for an experience that will remind us all of our collective capacity to make
change. Let’s make this happen. Let’s channel the
collaborative spirit and transformative potential of the marathon as we embark
on the journey to NYC, and as we continue to work toward a cure, together, as a
team.
From Marissa:
I’ve dreamt about running the NYC Marathon for many years, so it
especially thrilled me when the folks at the Lymphatic Research Foundation
asked if I’d be interested in joining the Team LRF official charity group, to
run in November 2013.
Since I first learned about lymphedema, when my sister was
diagnosed, I’ve been confounded that, in so many ways, lymphedema remains a
medical mystery. As I’ve mentioned before, sometimes I wish I’d chosen to
become a doctor so that I could actively seek a cure for this condition.
Yet, while I don’t know the medical specifics of it, I do believe that, through
concentrated efforts, an eventual cure is possible. I also believe that, through drawing attention
to lymphedema and raising awareness about its existence, together all of us in
the lymphedema community can make a positive difference. We can draw
attention to the fact that advancing knowledge about the lymphatic system is essential. Further,
together we can fundraise to support lymphatic research—to make concrete steps
toward better treatments and a cure for lymphedema and other lymphatic
diseases.
Already, I
can imagine what it will be like to run through the streets of New York
City—the skyscrapers looming around us, the massive crowds buoying our tired
legs, the spirit of the city and the marathon. And I feel a twinge in my
throat and a tug in my heart simply thinking about what it will be like to make
this journey—from Staten Island to Central Park—proudly wearing a Team LRF
jersey. I will run
NYC knowing that those miles aren’t solely for the joy they bring me.
Rather, they—and the many training miles between now and then—are about
believing that change is possible and believing that cures for lymphedema can
and will be discovered, to improve the health and wellness of millions of
people around the world. I can’t wait to start striding.
Visit our fundraising page here.
