Donna in Orlando at Track Shack

On Saturday, November 7th, we were blessed to have Donna Deegan, visit the Track Shack here in Orlando. She was here to promote her new book, "Through Rose Colored Glasses", and to visit with runners. Many of the people who stopped to see her have run the "26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer".

If you have been a follower of this blog you are very familiar with Donna Deegan. Her story is one of courage and determination. Assisting Donna was "our" own Donna, Donna Nelson. Both of these ladies have been such motivators for the running communities in Orlando, Jacksonville, Florida and across this country.

There are links on this blog to the websites for Donna's book and to the marathon. Please support this "fight" and register to run with Donna on February 21, 2010.

The photo is of Donna Nelson, Donna Deegan and me.

A quote from the book, "Fear Not; Only Believe" Mark 5:36

Donna to Visit Orlando

Donna Deegan will be at the Track Shack in Orlando, FL, on Saturday, November 7th, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. She will be signing copies of her new book, "Through Rose Colored Glasses". There are many Donna fans in the Central Florida area and we hope they will come out for this event.

Dedicated to Cathy Johnson

"When I first met my mother-in-law, she was already going through breast cancer treatment for over two years. Over the next five years, she would prove to be one of the bravest, most positive people I've ever known. Never did she complain or ask, "why me", and her response to our questions of how she felt was always, "I'm hanging in there!", with a big smile on her face.

She showed me that you have choices in your life. You can choose to succumb to your fears and stresses or you can fight. You can take a stand and believe in yourself. She always wore a yellow LiveSTRONG bracelet, and that was her commitment. She challenged herself to LiveSTRONG through the good and the bad.

Cathy lost her battle to breast cancer in May, but her resilience and attitude in the face of adversity has given me a new perspective and given me the chance to look at distance running in a new way. I now look at marathon running as a choice and a chance. I purposely put the long miles under my feet, but many men and women who are given the diagnosis of cancer never had the chance to accept or deny the diagnosis.

The last hill in the "Breast Cancer Marathon", as you're approaching the finish, seems to go on forever. By that point in the race, your legs hurt and you're usually just about out of gas. During last year's race, as I came up the hill, panting and walking, I passed a woman wearing a pink "Survivor" bib and something big occurred to me ..........

That hill is over in just a few minutes. I can walk it, run it or even crawl up it and soon enough, I'm on the down slope and across the finish line. For those who are going through cancer treatment, many times there is no down slope, or the journey to get to the easy parts is very long and not easy. So that day, I ran the hill, and never stopped until I finished, where my husband was waiting to welcome me.

I can't wait for the 2010 "26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer", because I know my mother-in-law will be there with me in spirit, reminding me to keep going and to LiveSTRONG.

I LiveSTRONG in memory of Cathy Johnson."

This post was written by Mari Costea-Johnson and published with her permission. The photo is of Mari and her husband Dave, at the finish of the 2009 marathon.

"Through Rose Colored Glasses"

Donna's new book, "Through Rose Colored Glasses", is now available for pre-sale.

Please visit the "Breast Cancer Marathon" website to see all available merchandise.

Please Share Your Story

As we move beyond the halfway point toward February 21, 2010, it is time for me to be more diligent in updating this blog. I am in the process of reaching out to friends for stories about their family members or friends who have battled breast cancer. Or, if you have a story about your involvement with the "26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer", please share your story with me for the blog.

I will be back in Jacksonville for year number three. I have run 10 marathons and numerous half-marathons. There is not one that is as inspirational as the "26.2 with Donna."

Having friends who are survivors and are running in this event. Having friends who are running in memory of a loved one who tragically lost their battle to this disease. Reading all the t-shirts and signs the runners and spectators carry on race day. So much inspiration. So many reasons to participate.

As I write this, I recall coming upon a runner with less than two miles to go. On the back of his shirt he had a small sign that said simply, "please say a prayer for my sister."

Motivation is everywhere. To me, the hills don't seem as high, the heat is not too hot, and my body can and will endure a short period of "pain". Any discomfort I feel is nothing compared to what a cancer patient must endure.

If you have a story, please e-mail it to me at: jimny1045@juno.com

Incredible Journey

Those of you who have been following this blog are familiar with Donna Nelson and her battle with breast cancer. For those of you who are new to this blog, Donna was diagnosed in November 2007. Less than one year from her diagnosis she was back running, a 5K. In October she ran a 10K and on February 15th, she ran the half-marathon at the "26.2 with Donna".

This past weekend in Eugene, OR., she completed the "FULL" marathon, all 26.2 miles. Those of us who run know how difficult it is to run a marathon even under the best of conditions. To run one within 18 months of being diagnosed with breast cancer is truly "INCREDIBLE".

When Donna mentioned she wasn't pleased with her finish time, I reminded her of the quote from John "The Penguin" Bingham. "Your spirit doesn't know how to tell time."

Anyone, regardless of your physical condition, needs only to look at the photograph that accompanies this posting. The photo is of Donna crossing the finish line at the marathon.

What an "Incredible Journey"!

Prayers & Love.

A New Perspective

Over the past 14 months, I have found it easy and enjoyable to maintain this blog. It really doesn't take much effort to report on an event such as the "26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer". Nor, does it take much effort to keep you informed on the people who help to make this race such a wonderful experience.

Several weeks ago I got to "go inside" and see firsthand a breast cancer patient receive her treatment. My friend Joan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall, needed someone to accompany her for lab tests, doctor's examination and her "chemo" treatment. I think I was more nervous than she was. On second thought, I definitely was more nervous than she was!

Joan is receiving her treatment at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando. I have driven past the center hundreds of times, but never had the occasion to go inside. Walking to the front door was not unlike walking to the start of a marathon. Hundreds of thoughts were going through my mind. Only this time I was not familiar with what to expect behind the huge sliding glass doors. I know what to expect during a marathon.

The waiting rooms we went to were full with patients awaiting treatment for various cancers. There were men and women, young and old, various ethnic backgrounds, a cross-section of our population. It seemed as though no one was spared. I felt out of place. Why was I one of the fortunate people to be a "visitor", not one of the "patients". Why me? Why Joan?

As we moved from place to place within the center, I was struck by the positive attitude displayed by the staff. Trying to make the experience for the patient one of caring and comfort. Again, I encountered the patients, many ladies, many bandannas, not all pink. I was now coming face to face with what goes on behind the scenes. I felt as though I was beginning to "hit the wall", as can happen during a marathon. I wasn't giving up just as in a race, but the emotional involvement of the day was taking it's toll. I must go on.

Our last stop of the day, now about 2:30pm, was Joan to receive her "chemo" treatment. We went to a semi-private room, where the nurse took the "IV" and inserted it into Joan's port, a devise that was surgically implanted in her right chest. The machines were set and the "drip" began, it would take approximately 30 minutes to complete the process. At one point we were able to leave the room with the "IV" stand in tow. Off we went for a better view of downtown Orlando. As Joan reclined in the "chemo chair", I looked out over the city, not really seeing what was happening on the streets. What I could see was Joan's reflection in the window. Again the questions filled my mind........why? why? WHY?

Soon the machine sent out an audible tone indicating the process was finished. The nurse unhooked the "IV" and we were free to go. I felt the sensation of the marathon finish, I knew it was near and I had to muster the strength to get to the finish line, which like the start line, was two sliding glass doors.

The fresh air of the brisk March day felt clean and refreshing. I had done it, I had completed my "marathon" tour of a single day of a cancer patients experience. Much like any marathon I have ever run, I would not change a moment of the experience. I learned much about the process, I learned some things about myself, but most of all I learned an important lesson in the fight against breast cancer.

Tomorrow, Joan will once again head to M. D. Anderson for a treatment. This time her brother will be at her side. I'm sure I'll be back, just as I've come back to run other marathons. In retrospect, it wasn't me the observer who was running the marathon, it was the patient. My day with Joan was a 50 yard dash compared to the ultra-marathon she is running.

Give her strength, give all who are fighting this disease the strength to successfully complete their run. "Prayers and Love" to all who battle.

Joan....."I Love You!"