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Dublin Marathon by Jean Straub

How many times have you made the destination the focus rather than the journey? So often in our fast-paced lives we get so wound up in "getting there" that we miss the wonders of the journey before us.

This year has been an incredible journey for me. I wanted to find something that would really help me celebrate the year 2000 - the "start" of the new millenium and the year I turned 40 (yikes!). I found two things that have helped make this year one of my best years yet.

Earlier this year, I heard about the Positive Yoga 2000 for Breast Cancer Awareness Event. This locally created event has grown into a national event, raising money and awareness not only for breast cancer, but for yoga as well. I didn't know much about the event, but I was interested in it nonetheless. I bravely sent an email to several friends telling them what the event was about and asking for a donation. Through their generosity, I was able to raise nearly $500 for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. I was also able to attend the day-long event and be part of a caring and generous group of people - many of whom were breast cancer survivors themselves.

I came away that day with a feeling of inner peace that I can't describe. I know that the $500 given to Fred Hutchinson will probably not find the cure we so desperately need. However, I do know that my $500, combined with all the other amounts collected over time, WILL lead to finding a cure. That's powerful medicine.

The other incredible event this year is that I walked a marathon - all 26.2 miles - in Dublin, Ireland. What, you may ask, possessed me to do a marathon?

Five years ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). I was 35 years old and thought arthritis only happened to "old people". Little did I know that I was in the prime age range for RA. Rheumatoid Arthritis strikes mostly women and usually between 25 and 55 years old. Although it started in my hands, I also feel it in my other joints and my feet. I'm fortunate in that the disease has been under control for most of the past two years. I have many pain-free days and am able to enjoy most activities. That's not the case for nearly 43 million Americans that have the over 100 different forms of arthritis.

Since last year, I have been an office volunteer at the Arthritis Foundation. I've really enjoyed seeing and/or hearing first hand about the work being done to help in the fight against arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has a program called Joints in Motion. The athletes raise money for the Arthritis Foundation and in return, receive training and travel to a marathon. I have never had an interest in participating in a marathon, yet I was drawn to this event.

Yes, I was concerned about fund raising. Could I possibly raise all $4300?? And if I did raise the money, would I be able to get in shape to complete all 26.2 miles?? What about my arthritis - would it flare up on me?? The Joints in Motion Coordinator did a great job telling me about the program and all the support I would get as a member of the team. So I signed up to be a member of the Dublin, Ireland 2000 Team. I immediately began fund raising and training.

Training wasn't as hard as I thought it would be - until I hurt my foot while hiking. I ended up with a stress fracture and had to wear a "walking boot" for about 6 weeks. Even though it affected my training, the first weekend I was out of the boot, I completed the 20-mile training session. It was a cold, rainy, and long day. However, I was glad that I finished. With one month to go before the marathon, I tried to resume my training schedule.

Finally, the big day was here. I was in Dublin, ready for the marathon! I was nervous - would I make it? Unfortunately, the weather was very cold, windy and rainy. The locals said it was the worst weather in all the 21 years they've had the marathon. Did that stop me? No! I completed all 26.2 miles in about 8 hours and 40 minutes. While it was longer than I would have liked it to be, we did make several stops along the way. We probably had at least on hour of "wasted time". However, we were proud to complete it, regardless of the time.

I can't even begin to tell you how fun and extraordinary this event was. The support of the local Irish people and the Joints in Motion Team was so wonderful. (There were 60 members on the local team. Nationally, there were about 1400 members that went to Dublin.) It was easy to keep going with all the enthusiasm and support being showered on all the athletes. I also thought about my honorees - the people with arthritis I was walking in honor of - and all the people that donated their money to the Arthritis Foundation on my behalf. In all, my family and friends donated $5355.

WOW!

But my involvement doesn't stop with Dublin. I have signed up to be a mentor for the Joints in Motion Honolulu Team in December. Although I may not actually complete the marathon there, I will be there to cheer on the team.

What's amazing to me is that the generosity of my family and friends has allowed me to not only participate in the Dublin Marathon, but to also work with a group of athletes in Honolulu. That group will raise another $24,000 (or more) to help in the fight against arthritis.

This really has been an incredible year for me. I have participated in a couple of events that will make a difference in the fight for finding cures for breast cancer and arthritis. I am stronger and healthier. I am surrounded by generous and caring people. And I have inspired others to make different choices in their lives. These are just a few reasons why this has been such as incredible year for me.

One of my favorite t-shirts has this on the back... "Journey - Find a path that captures your heart and follow it to the end." I'm very fortunate to have found that path and to savor the journey along the way. May you be as fortunate in your own life.

Jean

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