The Run to Cure Cancer

Lake Effect

by Brian D. Meeks

Chapter 24 Day 24

One of the weapons in the battle of calories is the shot blok, by Cliff. Much like a gummy bear, these little blocks of 33 calorie cubes have become a mainstay in Steve’s daily diet. They are quick, easy, and portable, because every calorie counts.

Jarred was concerned when Steve refused breakfast. Steve took off around 10:30 a.m. He later wrote, ” Cancer survivors often speak of the Gift of Cancer. These rare human beings look into the eye of the disease and choose to see what it can give them, not what it may take. As I started today’s run I received a text from Jared (support man second to none) saying “storm coming…worse than yesterday.

“DAMN IT!! Why can’t I catch a break?!?!…but then the rains started to fall and I thought about what I have learned from those fighting this disease. “what could this rain provide me?” I thought…and just like that, the game was changed. Sure it was pouring and the wind was blowing…but I was cooler and the bugs had disappeared and now the adventure was on! I was on the trail…mother nature sheltering me in the woods and I was 12 again…running free, soaking wet and no one yelling at me to come inside. I played and ran until I had to stop and eat. Can’t wait to go back out.

“Cancer survivors talk about the ‘Gift’ of Cancer, some even saying if they could go back and not ever have had Cancer they would say NO. They live more fully, love more deeply…and today inspired me to look at what was being given to me…not what was being taken away.”

Steve’s appetite returned and he ate a big lunch, and then after another stretch of running, he ate lunch again. The rain passed by 1:00 p.m. and left oppressive humidity in its place. Steve kept running and at a remarkable pace.

Jarred and Donna did some laundry and shopping. It was nice to get some of the chores finished, but there are several other problems that have cropped up. The RV roof leaks. Most of the running gear got soaked and then there was the smell of burning electrical. Jarred shut down the electrical, which meant the AC was gone. He hopes that maybe something just got wet and that the entire system isn’t fried.

Donna finished up her work around 4:30 and then put on her gear to run with Steve for the last part of the day. She was surprised to find out that he was only five miles from done. She ran with him and he made it to mile 26 around 7:10 p.m., which is the earliest day finished, yet.

While they ran, he made a couple of comments that made her think about the parallels between ultra running and cancer patients. He seemed to forget how many miles he had run. The soul crushing humidity had worn Steve out. It reminded her of the brain fog chemo patients have after treatment. She wondered if they, too, needed to be told how many more treatments were needed.

Steve didn’t eat much dinner. He went to bed. Donna and Jarred stayed out of the RV, to let him rest. They went down to the lake and watched the sunset. It was beautiful. Hopefully, the rain has run its course, so Steve can run his. At least, he will have a long night’s sleep.

Fundraising = $25,438.

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