In September 2000 my brother Ed sent out a challenge email to the family. He lives in Berlin, Germany and had the opportunity to watch 40,000 runners complete the Berlin marathon. He challenged anyone who would join him to run in 2011. I accepted the challenge and in 2011 completed my first marathon.
Fast forward to the end of 2005. I had not run since the Berlin marathon. I was out of shape and overweight. In 2006 I was going to turn 50. I had to get in shape. I did not want to turn 50 with a resolution to get in shape. I wanted to get in shape and then turn 50. I ran a 10k in the snow on January 1st, the Hangover Classic. This was the start .. and the end until the end of August when my neighbor came back from a run and I asked him if he was training for something. He said the Memphis marathon and I said “I’m in”. I turned 50 in November and ran the Memphis marathon in December and have been running ever since.
In 2008 I decided to run for more than my own benefit. I started “Running for A Reason”, to raise money and awareness for NF. I “adopted” my NF hero, Mavia, and every time I toe the starting line of a race I have my NF singlet on and I run for more than the finish line.
I’m excited to captain the Little Rock marathon NF Endurance team. The last two years we have raised close to $10,000 for NF research at the Little Rock marathon. It takes $20,000 to fund a new research project. This year we are going to raise $20,000. This year we are going to fund a new research project to help find a cure for NF.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to put together specific ways you can be involved. Whether you want to run, support a runner or volunteer at the event, we have a place for you. Take the time right now to email me with your interest in the Little Rock marathon NF endurance team and I’ll let you know the details when they are available.
In closing, I want you to know that running for NF has gotten very personal for me recently. You see, I have been running for Mavia and her family. Mavia has NF and her family and her live with it every day. A few months ago I found out that my brother in law has an inoperable brain tumor. Through my NF connections I was able to help him find a physician that was an expert in dealing with people with his condition. Through the research that I’ve helped fund through my fundraising I’ve learned that we are getting closer to finding a way to prevent brain tumors. So now this organization that I’ve been involved with has given back to me personally. And this year at the Little Rock marathon I will be running for Mavia and my brother in law Danny.
