I didn’t win, but I’m still going.
What do I mean, you ask?
Well, as luck would have it, my husband got in on his first try–just like in Chicago–and I didn’t. If you remember, I ran Chicago through charity raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. I was nervous, scared, and intimidated by having to raise money (and a lot of it) but I had such an amazing experience that it helped me decide to run for charity again, this time for NYC.
I won’t be running for Team RMHC though as I’ve elected to run for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Sadly, we do have a connection with cancer, as a close family member is currently fighting; yet, Coach V’s fighting words of “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!” is a motto that so many of us can relate to, whether we have an affiliation with cancer or not.
If you’re not familiar with who Coach Valvano is, he was a NCAA basketball coach for NC State in the 80’s and led his team to a surprising championship win in 1983. They were the underdogs that season and game after game proved their championship worthiness to the very end. They never gave up.
Then in 1992, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the short time he had left to live, unbeknownst at the time, he did so much to help with cancer research creating the Foundation knowing it probably wouldn’t benefit him, but that didn’t make him lose hope. His hope was that foundation would help others and it has, many, many years after his death. He never gave up.
A couple of years ago, my husband and I saw an ESPN 30 for 30 special on Coach V and his NC State team. It was incredibly moving and my husband and I still watch from time to time. In the documentary is his Arthur Ashe acceptance speech at the first ever ESPY’s. If you have a few extra minutes, please take the time to view it. It really captures Coach V’s spirit.
Running for charity is scary in many ways. First, the New York City Marathon itself is kinda scary–it’s the biggest marathon. It’s huge! I’ve run some big races–Chicago, Marine Corps–but NYC is bigger than both!
Second, the charity amount I have to raise is twice that of Chicago. But I feel like Coach V’s words ring through in so many ways besides fighting a terrible disease like cancer. In so many aspects of life, we have to overcome obstacles or challenge ourselves and never, ever give up. That’s what I plan to do–in training for New York, in raising money to run New York, and in crossing that finish line in New York.
I hope you consider helping me with this important cause. Your donation, of any amount, will help me run a dream marathon, and most importantly, help keep dreams alive for others.
You can donate here:
–Have you ever run a race through charity?
–Do you know who Jimmy V is or heard his speech before?
–Have you been to New York? I went when I was 10 and don’t remember a thing, lol! It will be my husband’s first time though 😀
I haven’t run for charity but it’s such a good thing to do!! Good luck and have so much fun!!
1. I’ve never ran for charity.
2. Never heard of him. I really appreciate the opportunity of learning about him and this wonderful organization.
3. Yes.
Excited to see you in November!
1. You should try it sometime! 🙂
2. His story is incredibly inspirational. The speech is amazing but so is the 30 for 30 special ESPN did for him.
3. What are some must see’s/do’s???
SO EXCITED!
Too much to recommend. If you don’t feel like dealing with the $$ and long lines of the Empire State Building, go to Top of the Rock. Cheaper and in my opinion, better view of Manhattan.
Have a drink at a speakeasy. (don’t faint at our prices for cocktails). They’re a fun experience.
There are other great places to run in NYC, besides Central Park. West Side Highway & the East River Promenade are also popular.
Visit the Cloisters. It’s up in Harlem, so many people don’t go, which is a pity because it’s truly lovely and peaceful.
Thanks SO much for this!!!
Your husband is lucky with the lotteries 🙂 So happy you will be running NYC! Let me know if you have any questions, happy to help. You are going to have an amazing time.
He sure is!! He needs to buy a Lotto ticket, lol!! I’m going to have SO many questions! We’re thinking we’d stay in Manhattan close to the finish line. We don’t know yet though if he can ride my charity bus to the start –if he can’t, I”m thinking we’ll take the ferry? Are they easy to find? Would we cab it to one?
Congrats to your husband for winning the lottery and congrats to YOU for deciding to run for charity. What a wonderful thing to do. I am sorry that your family has been affected by cancer and I will keep you guys in my prayers!
Thank you SO much for your donation, Allison. It really means a lot to us. Thank you for your prayers–my husband’s mother has been amazing in her fight the past 8 years and we hope she continues winning the battle.
Wow!! Eight years. God bless her!!! Will keep her in my prayers for sure.
❤ I love the way you share your perspective on things and how you chose this charity. Sounds very fitting for you. I'm also so glad your husband made it in so that you would both come out for the marathon now anyway! I know so many people doing NYC this year (since I'm pretty local!) that there is no way I will miss out on being part of a cheering squad this year 😀 Looking forward to being there and seeing you run by!!
My husband and I thought it was perfect for us too. His mother is battling breast cancer (has been for 8 years) and we both love basketball and team camaraderie. We sometimes still see the 30 for 30 special just because we love it so much and it’s so inspiring.
Can’t wait to finally meet you!! We’ll have to plan something for sure so I know where to look for you on the course 😀
Definitely! NYC is huge and I will try to come up with an exact spot where I will be spectating 😀
Yay!!! SO excited!
Wow you and your hubby are going to have a great time!!! Especially since you have only been to NYC once and him not at all! I would love to run NYC sometime but I don’t like having to pay up front before I am even chosen. I think that is how they still do it, right?
They charge you a non-refundable $11 registration fee to enter the lottery. IF you’re chosen, then they charge you the race fee. We’re excited–a little nervous about raising money but excited nonetheless 🙂
Man, your husband is lucky!
I’ll send you a donation because I like you, but Jim V is not a favorite of mine. I went to NC State for freshman year while he was still coaching, and he was known as a jerk around campus. But the cause is a great one 🙂
Aw man! That’s a bummer to hear!!! Sometimes I’d rather not know how a person is “in real life” versus what we see/know from afar for fear of being disappointed, lol!! Thank SO much for your help–I’ll be running with Fortunado and Teresa in mind ❤
Sorry. I wish I’d thought twice before I wrote that about Jimmy V 😦
Those are my grandparents who both died of different cancers. They used to call each other Fudgie & Tree and they were so cute together. 🙂 I miss them.
Awww!! Thank you for sharing that with me ❤
p.s. I freakin’ love that you’re wearing a costume and taking photos during your race!!!! Can’t wait to see pics!
I’m sooooo looking forward to it! Star Wars makes me feel like a kid again.
Love it! Sometimes we need to run a race simply just for the fun of it 😀
So excited for you. I know that the fundraising minimum for NYC is quite scary, but having worked with many athletes and their fundraising, I am confident that you can make it. I have a lot of experience with fundraising if you ever need to chat. NYC is so fun and you will be running through some great places. And I will be in town coaching so I will be there to cheer you on. Congrats!
Oh thank you SO much!! I will def need all the help!! And YESSSSSS!!!! SO excited I’ll finally get to meet you!!!!!
LOVE IT. you know that I’ve run for charity, and I am so proud of you for doing it twice, and for such great causes! One day I will do NYC and Boston, and by that point, it might have to be through charity (who knows what will happen!). I’m jealous of your hubs for getting in on the first try 😀
One day I’ll do Boston…one day…lol!! I’m jealous of my hubs too, jaja!!!
So glad I got to meet you in Chicago ❤
I can’t BELIEVE Ben got in first try! Oh my goodness!!!!!! When we were in Boston, I was tempted to take that train up to New York just to say I’ve been there but then I know I’d get lost.
Seriously, he’s a lucky one that man..lol! I would totally get lost in New York. It just seems HUGE!!
That is too bad that you didn’t make it in through the lottery, but it sounds like not doing so allows you to still run NYC (and with your lucky husband!) and contribute towards a charity that has so much meaning to you. I’m sorry to hear about your mother in law’s battle with breast cancer and wish her all the best.
Thank you so much! ❤
Sounds like you’ve got a great attitude. I’ve never ran (or been to) NY, but did run Chicago before they started the lottery. It was my first full. I’ve never ran for charity, and haven’t heard of that coach before. I’ll have to check him out!!!
Ahh, how cool you’ll be running NYC!!! I’ll look of you on TV 😉
LOL!! Plan on waiting a while, jaja!!
Good luck!
Think that raising money for a charity will benefit others. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll get to your $3000 goal! 🙂
Thank you so much! I certainly hope so 🙂