Monday, October 10, 2011

Greetings Earthlings...

I feel like I have been traveling warp speed through space and time.....

I have made it back to NC, if you even knew I left NC and went back to OK? Many of you who like my FB page know, but either way, last Wednesday my dad lost his fight with pancreatic cancer. I am even now still at a loss for words. It doesn't seem real. It seems like I will wake up and this will all be a dream, I'll be back in WA where I was before he received his diagnosis. Things will be the same and he will be healthy again. But I guess that can't happen so it is time to start accepting the truth. The truth that cancer touches and affects so many of us, it doesn't care how many miles we run, or weights we lift. It just plain and simply sucks. Enough said.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and support. I asked on my FB page for followers to dedicate a mile to my dad during their next run, and dedicate a mile in honor of other cancer survivors and those who have lost their battles. I can't really tell exactly how many miles were run for my dad but I added up about 84.97777 (the .97777 is thanks to Mel's 8k race) miles dedicated to him. I am truly touched by this...I love runners.

Today I headed out for what I hoped would be my long 19 mile run. I made it 5.5 miles before I called it quits. I had a shooting pain through my hip, just like I had in 2010 while training for OKC marathon. I have no idea what this was about but I figured I would call it quits and spare myself the pain and agony. I can get my 19 or 20 miler in Saturday. Anyone local (ish) who would like to join me???

Today is my two year Friendaversary with Tall Mom. On 10/10/09 I went out of my comfort zone and went on my first blind, bloggy, running date. Read about the blind date HERE.... And about my fear and nervousness about accepting her invite for a run HERE. I can't believe I was nervous to meet her for a run! She was so fast and famous...I was just a new blogger trying to make my way. To this day I am so glad, grateful that I did. Mel has been a rock for me and proved time and time again to be a true friend. She knows, somehow, when to text and just what to say. I miss our runs and the conversations we shared while logging miles. Somehow a good run with a trusted friend is often just what the heart needs, and lately my heart needs a good long run with a good, trusted friend who can put things into perspective, give me hope, empathize with me, and just exist with me, on the road. There is comfort in companionship and sharing the misery of a long run, or the exhaustion of a short, fast(ish) run, or just the ease of a no pressure run.

So, Mel, happy Friendaversary! Thanks for everything!!

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Do you celebrate Friendaversaries? Maybe you should!





21 comments:

  1. I'm so sad for your loss. Cancer is so damn ugly. I wish you and your family peace in processing all you've gone through.

    On the Friendaversary, I absolutely celebrate one w/ my friend Meaghan. We met in Dec 2003 on a race course. She approached me, asked my pace, and hung w/ me the whole 10 miles. Turned out, we were both using that race as a launching point for the same marathon the following Spring! Friends ever since :)

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  2. Been thinking of you a lot. My heart goes out to you and your family. Surround yourself with those you love!

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  3. Thought about you and your loss while I was in the woods on my 16+ mile training run. I think of my Dad when I am in the woods. We used to cut fire wood together. Good Memories. It's little things that keep him so in my heart.

    Happy Friendiversary!

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  4. Amanda, I am so sorry for your loss!! If I would've known I would have dedicated miles to him during my marathon. But you can still consider him thought of because I ran the Chicago Marathon this past weekend with Team DetermiNation so I was dedicating the whole race to cancer patients! I will be thinking and praying for you and your family!!!

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  5. You're back! I'm so sorry about your dad, but like I said in my email, things will get better eventually! I'm so happy you got to knock out a few miles!! I did not see your facebook, but on my next RLRF run tomorrow I will for sure be dedicating a mile to your dad!!! My bestie's mom is fighting cancer for the second time right now, so I am so proud of how encouraging you still are to others through all of this! SO glad you're back, we missed you!!

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  6. Amanda, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how tough this has been for you and your family. Best wishes for a safe and injury free run this weekend. Thinking of you!

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  7. Oh Amanda, so, so sorry about your dad. He sounded like a great guy, and I know he will be missed by all of you. I'll dedicate my next mountain run to him.
    P.S. Hope you found someone to share a run with and that you're nourishing your spirit with a lot of non-run stuff like eating chocolate, drinking wine and watching trashy movies.
    Take care,

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  8. so sorry to hear about your Dad. I'll be sure to dedicate my 3 miles tomorrow towards him and others. xoxo

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  9. I love you so much and miss you EVERY DAY!! 2 years, seems like longer to me. I know how hard this is for you and I will continue to check in every day to do what I can being so far away.

    We have strong angels up there my darling..

    HUGS!

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  10. hugs and prayers for you and your family

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  11. I've been thinking about you a lot, but have had no spectacular words to say! Wish you were here so I could at least give you a hug! Love ya!

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  12. I don't know you, but I've been keeping you in my prayers. I lost my dad to cancer last October, and I "talk" to him on almost every run.

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  13. I'm so sorry to read about your loss.

    Cancer sucks.

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  14. Hi Amanda,
    I have been reading your blog for over a year now, and I was so sad to hear about your dad's passing. Cancer sucks ass!

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  15. My heart goes out to you. I wish I had more words than that.

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss! Especially in days like that friends are so important and I'm glad you found such a great friend!!

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  17. Sorry for your loss :(
    Sending good thoughts your way.

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  18. Sorry for your loss. Keep running...it's good therapy.

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  19. Hugs to you A. So saddened by your loss.

    Thankful to celebrate a friendiversary with a pretty amazing woman like Mel and you in fact!

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  20. I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are constantly in my thoughts. I hope you find peace and know that the blogging community is always here for you.

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  21. I enjoy your blog a great deal but seldom comment. I am sorry for your loss I will run an extra mile for your dad.

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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