My dear friend Brenda Clark had been training for the half marathon and was planning to run in my honor and another friend recently diagnosed. She slowed her pace down to take time to walk with me when I couldn't run for the past  several months.  But the farther I got past the chemo,  I ran a little more and a little more.  My first victory of the year came a few weeks ago at my Conquer Cancer run in Hoover.  For the first time in many months I ran an entire five mile course.The following weekend, I asked if I could help  Brenda with her long run.  Last weekend we ran and walked eight miles.  After that long distance, I felt great.  The crazy thought entered my head that even though my body had been beaten up by chemo and hit with radiation, I could still possibly run a half marathon.  I started to giggle a little and then a lot.  The thought simply tickled me.  Was it possible that  I could really run a half marathon so soon after treatment?  Just a few weeks earlier I remember my legs swelling and buckling  beneath me.  It hurt to move, no less run.  But  the truth is  "All things are possible with God. "  and  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Phillipians 4:13.

So I signed up!  As usual, the doubts started to creep in my head  the night before.   What was I doing?  I haven't even really trained for this race.  The distance was too long.  Sure I'd run 8 miles the week before... but I hadn't trained for 13.1 miles!  Even my dear sweet husband said the night before," I didn't really think you were going to do this?"  He was concerned. That made me concerned because he's usually right.  But I figured I'd do my best and keep my cell phone handy just in case I needed to call for a ride home.

My clock radio startled both of us at 5:20 am.  I apologized to Doug for the early wake-up call.  I was groggy and didn't want to leave the sheets, but headed for the running gear.  Brenda Clark arrived to drive us and another friend to the big race.  Again, during the drive there, I wondered what I was doing.  I hadn't trained! 

The runners were coraled like a heard of cattle.   More than 2-thousand runners ready to either earn a personal best or just simply finish.  I prayed to simply finish without injury.  The half marathon for the two Brenda's was good exercise, but also great for hours of chatter. 

  The weather was great... a big blue sky and temperatures in the sixties.  We got a chance to see up close parts of Birmingham, Homewood and Mountain Brook.  On this day the miles were long and my hair very short... but it's coming back after the effects of chemo.  I wondered how all this was possible... and thought that chemo and radiation was like training for a marathon.  Even though it was hard each day, I'd keep on moving with the help of God.  Even though I wasn't out there training for the marathon, I was being trained by the good Lord on how to persevere and keep on moving even when I didn't feel like it.  Chemo is a lot like a marathon... it's a hard uphill battle at times, can create aches and pains, but reaching up for the Lord's help can get you to the finish line!

God Bless,

 Brenda