2009 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon: Our Heart to Start

They say there’s a first time for everything…and so here it goes. I’m starting a journey right here, right now into the unknown and seeing where it takes me. Isn’t that what life’s about anyway!? I registered last night for my first OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon-13.1 miles. Do I know what to expect come May 2, 2009? Sort of. I spent nearly five years as the Festival’s Director of Communications – pitching stories to media about the nation’s largest half-marathon, its record sell-out participation, its entertainment and training tips prepared by running coaches. But, the training tips and stories will be pitched to capture my attention this time. I’ve stood at that finish line and watched elite athletes from around the world beat record after record, but it was the every day people that really inspired me…sometimes to my own tears as they’d cross the finish line in all shapes, sizes, ages and motivations. I’ve been sweat on, puked on, fallen on and cried on at that finish line…and I want to experience that joy they felt in the midst of their challenge.

My life-long friend, Jay Jay, and I made the commitment to one another for several reasons. We’re 38 and we want to complete this race before we’re 40 – next year is our only option to meet that goal. We’re united in our struggles with weight and exercise and we’ve met up with our unkept promises. My 62-year-old mother had her third and fourth heart attack this year, the fourth just four months AFTER quadruple bypass surgery. Now, her ticker keeps accurate pace with a defibrillator and pacemaker. She’s recovered well after nearly losing her life – but that doesn’t take away the family risk of the disease for me. She quit smoking to start living. Me – I’ll quit sitting to start living.

It’s the "Heart to Start" tour for Jay Jay and me. 500 Festival VP of Operations, Terry Powers, my former boss, suggested this blog for us first-timers. As a journalist and communicator by trade, I wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that!?” John Bingham, a running columnist, frequently says, “The battle is not finishing the race – it’s getting to the start line.” It’s so true. We’ve registered and paid, but it’s up to US and our courage, drive and heart to make sure WE get there and cross that start line.

I’ll participate in honor of my mom’s survival, my own health, to complete it with Jay and probably a few reasons I don’t even know yet. For Jay – it’s setting a good example for 7-year-old daughter, Chloe and 4-year-old son, Gavin. Chloe recently asked her, “Mommy, why don’t I ever see you exercise?” (I’m a firm believer that housekeeping, cooking and raising a family IS exercise now matter how you put it!) But, what a joy it will be when she gets to witness Mommy crossing the finish line and hang that medal around her neck.

So, we’re soon going to take photos of us on New York Street – in the area where the Mini’s finish line will be. That will be a good match photo of the actual finish photo come May. We’ll be “back of the packers,” but I hear the party’s back there anyway! The Mini is recognized around the world as one of, if not THE BEST, half-marathon. It’s an experience and every one of those 35,000 participants has a story. Each have had the ‘heart to start’ at some point. Ours is right now!