Well, I've never been accused of being smart enough to quit while I was ahead. I often set goals that I end up increasing once I realize I'm about to achieve them. Peg thankfully has become immune to some of these things and surprisingly enough seems to understand my need to do these things.
As you know, there are a few out there that have given everything they had without being told they had to. Some men and women are silently sitting
in hospitals and recovery rooms wanting to get some symblance of a normal life again.
I know many of these people and Peggy and I spend a great deal of our time trying to figure out how we can make a difference in their lives. At first I was like "if I could help just one", then we were like "that's not us, we gotta help them all".
The Wounded Warrior, Wounded Marine Fund has poured millions of dollars into making this a reality. I watched them start their organization and then I was talking to Peggy and like it was the thing to do, we were in.
Our goal was small, then I got to see where the money was going first hand. Men missing both legs now running marathons next to me. Women missing arms from IED's now swimming in triathlons. A Marine's front door widened so his wheelchair would fit. A mother assisted by a nurse to rehabilitate her Hero in their own home. Miracles or God I tell you.
And all I have to do is suck it up and put in about 750 miles of training to be ready for the coveted 26.2 mile "2009, USMC Marathon, a.k.a. The People's Marathon.
Last year I trained in France, Germany, Israel, Russia, Senegal, Ghana, Liberia, Azerbaijan, and Norway. Exotic? No way, working and often times in some pretty diverse conditions. O.K. Germany is where I lived and France was me time so not so bad. But have you ever taken off at 0400 in the morning in the desert on a 12 mile run where the temp would be well above 100 degrees by the time you finished? What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
This year I sat at the table for dinner in our new home and told Peg I was going to sign up for the Marathon again. She said what about me? Josh echoed? Ben said forget it. Game on for round two. Then I thought about it and used a little peer pressure. Made a few phone calls and peered some of my close friends into taking on the challenge.
Now we have a team: Rene A, Dave B., Miguel R (a.k.a. PEPE), Josh, Me. We meet on Sundays in Mannassas, Va and do our team long run increasing the distance at least a mile each week. This morning (Aug 16th) at 0600 team "Old Man and a Boy" took off on our 12 miler. 2 hours later we were high fiving saying great run. We have a few 1/2 marathons we will run:
Sept 6th- Rock -n- Roll 1/2 in Va Beach
Sep 19th- Northface Extreme X-country 1/2 in Wash D.C.
Sep 26th- Ronald McDonald 1/2 in Richmond Va
Peggy is conducting her own training as usual. She has a program and it doesn't involve me and my two cents ;) It works that's all I can tell you.
What do we need? Money! any form cash, check, card via website. We pay for our expenses, and all money we can earn goes straight to the wounded warriors. Please get the word out. You don't have to donate big, just donate.
Last year WOTN gained the attention of a major corporation and a lot of great Americans and the call was answered. Please help us do it again.
Jon
So this summer starts, and although Jon (MGySGt Jonathan White) had mentioned he was running again this year several months ago, I heard nothing of it until last weekend. (I was beginning to wonder what was up with the silence!)Would we be interested in helping out with some publicity again for the fundraiser? Heck yeah, but you need to give me the details on what is happening I replied.Well you read the details above, straight from the MGySgt's mouth! Jon was a Gunnery Sergeant back when he decided to run a marathon. A Gunnery Sergeant with a broken back! He has come a long ways since then. I had the pleasure of speaking to him on the phone back in February. That phone call left me smiling for such a very long time.....he is such a nice guy!I have posted links below to those articles we ran last year in support of Jon's first go at a marathon. I will admit to pure disbelief when Jon told me last year he was running, not going to try BUT was running in the 2008, USMC Marathon, a.k.a. The People's Marathon. I knew he had back "issues" (my words) and that he had never run that far before in his life. I was stunned to hear his wife was also running. I interviewed her (via email) for the details. Folks....these two Marines are not (or rather weren't) runners! Ha! Never say can't or never to a member of the White family!Go ahead and read the articles below. If you are short on time, then cut to the chase starting with "Running to Live" followed by "And Now For The Rest of The Story....." If you are really pressed for time then head to their donation site and come back later to read about last year's pavement pounding experiences!You really should read all the other pieces starting from the top down, that way you too will get a chance to see just how great Jon and Peggy are. They supported each other as they conquered the 2008, USMC Marathon.Then be sure to follow this link to the donation site found here. Give what you can! Give knowing your hard earned dollars are helping a wounded warrior get back into the swing of life again!I hope you enjoy reading about last year's marathon build up and run. Be sure to check back after September 6th, I hope to have some pictures and an update on how their first 1/2 marathon for this year went.~MsMarti
Related Articles
The Opening Shock of Adversity: The Gratification of Perseverance (Hardened Warrior Series)
Article in the Stars & Stripes
One Marine's determination to walk again
Marathon and Beyond Magazine
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