Strides for Life

Back in 2003 when I was just starting to run I learned about this event in which people ran 100 miles over 4 days. To me that sounded crazy. I saw how much training people were doing to prepare for the marathon distance and could not conceive how anyone could run close to the marathon distance 4 days in a row. The problem was that I was also intrigued. Even though I had just started running in September of 2002 I wanted to see if I could train for and complete this event. Not only was the challenge attractive it was also for a good cause. My friends Steve Wilcox and Dave Minier helped convince me that I could do it so I signed up, raised some money and prepared for the event by focusing on building my base to 40+ miles per week in the months leading up to my first Strides for Life event.

The first thing I notice as I boarded the vehicle that would take me to Hope College, which would be home for the next for days was that the characters who participate in this event were all ordinary runners who set out to achieve the extraordinary in order to do their part in the fight against cancer. Runners of all different abilities and paces take part - some for 1, 2 or 3 days and many for all 4 days. There were young people in their 20's and 30's and young people in their 50's and 60's. Most of them have been involved with Strides for many years. I would get to know them well over the next 4 days.

Even more incredible than the runners were the many volunteers who give their time to this event. If you think the runners are doing something incredible you should see these volunteers putting in long hours preparing food and supplies so that the runners only have to focus on the simple act of running (left foot, right foot, repeat as necessary) while they set up water stations during the run as well as food and beverages for our breaks between each of the days legs (the run is broken into 5 legs or stages each day averaging to around 5 miles per leg). Between legs there are plenty of snacks and beverages as well as one of the breaks where we are fed a nice lunch. Believe me I would much rather run this thing than to try to carry the workload that these wonderful volunteers put in each day.

After the 4 days are over and all of us runners and volunteers have experienced all of the highs and lows anyone would experience with all of the challenges an event like this provides all of us have a strong connection with each other and we actually walk away from this experience as family. The experience is something one will never forget and that's what draws us back year after year.

I went back in 2004 and had another incredible experience. I missed 2005 because I was working so many hours my training had suffered and we had also moved from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor. I don't remember my excuse for 2006 but once again I didn't make it. Last year I decided to see what it was like to run 100 miles continuously rather than stretch it out over 4 days. That was for my own glory and I have a nice belt buckle as my reward. This year I am going back to join my Strides family to participate in the 30th Annual Strides for Life Run Against Cancer. This is where you come in. As I said this is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society - all this crazy running is just a devise we use to get you to part with your hard earned money to help fight a disease that has brought so much pain and sorrow into each of our lives. Cancer really does suck and we need you to help us find a cure.

Thanks for taking the time to read my plea and if you are compelled to make a contribution you can do so here: http://www.active.com/donate/stridesforlife08/timlooney

I should add that if you prefer to use mail rather than donate online you can do so. Let me know if you prefer snail mail and I will give you my address. Checks need to be made out to the American Cancer Society. I will provide you with the mailing address.

Thanks again!