I will be running in the Country Music Marathon to raise money for cancer research through the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation. This is my most favorite time of year because I get to meet with all my friends and family and do something fun to remember those we've lost. My sister Payton was just 29 when she died of carcinoid cancer- a currently incurable form of cancer. I am now 29 years old myself, and I am struck by just how crazy crazy young that is to die. The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation does some amazing work and has made some great breakthroughs (check them out)!!
There are a hundred reasons why I could say I run. I like to stay in shape, it is cheaper than the gym, to tune out the world, to enjoy a big dinner or an extra drink at happy hour or just to feel athletic again. Those reasons, always come and go depending on the day. But one reason never changes. I run for my friend, Payton. I run to remember her. When I run, I often think of her. My fondest memory, the one that leaves me most grateful, is from the week we first met as college freshman. Little known fact, because of Payton, I am a college graduate. I have hated school since the beginning of time and college classes were no different. I missed being home with my family and making friends for the first time, without the crutch of teammates, had proven difficult. That spring, I had decided not to enroll in fall semester and was planning how to delicately disappoint my parents by telling them that college was not for me. That is, until Payton, with her larger than life heart, and spontaneous whim, invited me to go camping. We had known each other less than a week and she wanted to share a tent in the woods. Very trusting, to say the least. That weekend, I had a great time and I made friends that I hold dear to this day. It turned my year around, and those friendships are the reason I returned to school and stayed…until I graduated. On that day, I barely knew Payton, but she knew better than most, how to be a friend. For that reason, I will always run for her.
My answer to that statement has changed many times over the last five years as I’ve completed two full marathons and thee half marathons, but this year it’s simple. My motivation for running came to me while I was at my grandparent’s house for Christmas. The house was full of people, full of life. My grandfather is the nicest, wisest, and most honest man I know. He seems so happy with what he’s done in life and so very proud of each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He’s a man that I strive to be in life, because I know if I’m half the man he is, then I’m a pretty darn good person. My Uncle Doug was giving out CDs of sermons that he had preached throughout his life as a minister, and I thought what better way to pass on your life to your family than to pass on what you spent your life believing in. When I run, my family is in my heart and they push me. This room of life keeps me going. My grandparents’ house was so much more than a family celebrating Christmas, it was a family celebrating the life we’ve been lucky enough to have with each other. 
The primary reason I started running is that I never thought I would be able to do something like this. But the flooding sense of accomplishment today when I finish a 13.1 mile run is the same as when I ran my very first mile, finished my first 5K, and every time I reach any goal I set for myself. It’s a battle against mental hurdles that say “you can’t”, “you’re too this”, “you’re too that”, “there are more fun things you could be doing”. Now I find running not only fun, but a way for me to blow off the stress of the day and have some time for self reflection. And I also get to enjoy the health benefits of staying active!
I have never really been athletic, but I started running almost a year ago. Stress, my weight and my blood pressure were all creeping up on me, and I decided I needed to get in better shape rather than have a heart attack before I turn 50. It has been fun to challenge myself and to see that I can accomplish more than I thought I could. At the beginning I could barely go a half mile, but just this week I ran 11 miles and felt great. This will be my first ever half-marathon. I am running in this race specifically to honor my friend Payton and to help support Caring for Carcenoid so that one day we may find a cure.
