A Step to the Edge

So I walk up on high

And I step to the edge

To see my world below

And I laugh to myself...

Cause its the world I know

-Collective Soul

On the outset of this training, I e-mailed all my friends and family that my goals for this marathon journey were two-fold.  One was to complete my first marathon, and the other was to raise $ 1000 for the BC Lung Association in honour of my father ( who has Pulmonary Fibrosis) and my husband's Aunt Mary-lynn (who has stage 3 lung cancer). I truly believe the answer to creating more favourable outcomes for diseases like cancer and pulmonary fibrosis is research. The BC Lung Association is a volunteer based charity that focuses much of their money on research. I have currently raised $765 for the BC Lung Association, thanks to many family and friends.  If you are a person who was thinking about donating and haven't yet, or someone who thinks they may want to donate to this very worthy cause, please do so now.  I am only $ 235 short of my goal, and would love it I was able to meet what I set out to do. 

Click here if you are able to donate:

Sara's fundraising page

Thank you!

I feel like I have run up high and stepped to the edge, just like in the song by Collective Soul quoted above. I have done all I can do,( with the exception of 2 short runs this week). I have hiked to the top of the mountain and now I am ready to leap. Our lives are what we create and I have created this journey for myself and now I am ready to finish what I set out to do. I have feelings of apprehension, pride and sadness all at once as this journey is reaching its conclusion. I am so grateful for both the opportunity and the people in my life who have helped me come this far. Thanks you to all those who have supported me, read this blog or just showed interest in my training.

I am very lucky also to have such a supportive group of runners to train with at the Running Room. Not only do they provide hours of entertainment during long runs, but many of these people provide me with all sorts of good running advice. One piece of advice I received to counter the mental breakdown that is likely to occur in the last 10 kilometers was to dedicate the last few kilometers to different people.

 In this vein, I have decided to dedicate the last 7 kilometers to important people in my life.  Kilometer 36 is for my Dad ( the year he was born) for inspiring me to "get busy livin." Kilometer 37 is for Aunt Mary lynn (if she can endure all that chemo therapy, I can finish this race), Kilometer 38 is for my Mom (also the year she was born) for being the strongest willed person I know.  Kilometer 39 is for my husband ( who is probably the most supportive husband out there) Kilometer 40 is for my daughter Amelia (who I endured a very painful (no pain medication) labour giving birth to) but whose will is only second to my mother.  Kilometer 41 is for my son, who has a beautiful kind spirit,  and Kilometer 42 is just for me. 15 years ago I would never have predicted that I would run a marathon, and there is just something about proving yourself wrong and growing as an individual that is exhilarating.


Thanks to all my running friends for your advice and companionship! I truly couldn't have done it without you.  May your race next weekend be everything you hoped it would be! ( I am sorry they don't allow dogs at the Marathon, Niko,  you were the strongest runner among us!)

"If you want to change your body, exercise.  If you want to change your life, become a runner."