St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon and My Reasons for Running

It's that time of year again. Time for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend and I'm headed back to Tennessee to see if I've got what it takes!

First and foremost, I do what I do on days like this for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. After all these years, I'm still not the biggest fan of running. Don't get me wrong, I love running with people, competing and challenging my mind and body but I've not mastered the art of pacing myself, the science of breath or how to run without some pain.

Here are a few reasons I run:

I run to see that childhood cancer is eradicated!
I run so that no family will ever have to pay St. Jude for anything.
I run so that I can tell people about the miracles that happen at this hospital each day.
I run so that the parents of the children fighting cancer can concentrate on their child and not bills, transportation or housing.
I run in hopes to encourage others to sign up as St. Jude Heroes.
I run because running for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital makes me feel alive!

This Saturday, December 6th, I will again feel alive! I will set out on a journey with thousands of other runners and St. Jude supporters to conquer the busy streets of the largest city in Tennessee. Together we’ll fight the weather, leg cramps and find inner strength to make it through our chosen 3.1, 13.1 or 26.2 miles. Most importantly we’ll help raise money for St. Jude to find a cure childhood cancer.

We'll be running for their lives.