WORKOUT –
Walked dog – 3 miles
Upright bike – 30 mins
I kinda sorta planned on taking a rest day today so I walked the dog in the morning. Then I went to the mall, found a dress (more on that tomorrow), ran into my homie and shopped and talked circles around Target.
After getting some mall walking mileage in, I went over to the 24 Hour Fitness location at the Irvine Spectrum and peddled pedaled away for 30 minutes on an upright bike.
I don’t bike that often, but I felt like it was a good, short workout. I firmly believe that you can get a good workout from any exercise (even walking!) if you push yourself hard enough. Even the dang elliptical which some people like to hate on.
You don’t have to grunt like a dude banging free weights around and you don’t have to wear a skirt and lipstick either; all you gotta do is put in some effort.
SERIOUS STUFF
Today I want to share with you guys reader Heidi’s story about loss and the power of running, in her own words.
Rachael and Heidi – read the complete post here
We all know that running makes us feel good. We run for many reasons- to be healthy, to look good, to manage stress, or to prove ourselves. Sometimes we feel great while we’re running, and sometimes it sucks while we’re pounding the pavement, but we feel awesome when we’re done.
For me, running is like that little miracle tool that I keep in my back pocket for when I need it… and last month, I needed it. My beautiful 26-year old Delta Omicron sister, Rachael Streich, passed away after a battle with melanoma. I felt like my world was crumbling beneath me.
In 2010, I ran my first marathon in her honor, and I spent many miles thinking about her and praying for her recovery. I spent so long being positive about her condition that her death caught me by total surprise. Our Delta Omicron sisters were at her bedside until the end.
After she passed away, I barely left my house. I slept and cried and worried about my own mortality. THEN, my running friends came to the rescue. Those "sole sisters" that I’ve bonded with over the years convinced me that running would help me get through it. While I didn’t want to get out of bed, let alone run, I knew they were right. The first few runs were tough- I ran and cried and ran some more… and eventually, the running got easier, and I felt better.
Losing Rachael reminded me that I am so lucky to have this amazing ability and that I can always lean on my "sole sisters" and the running community. If you’re going through some rough times, you can lean on us, too. Running helps. 
If you don’t have a "sole sister" and want one, I’m here for you. Look me up!
I’m running for Miles for Melanoma in Rachael’s memory. If you would like to donate to the Melanoma Research Foundation, you can do so on my page.
Twitter
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
It breaks my heart when anyone has to suffer from cancer, but especially when it is someone so young. As a physician resident, I see a large amount of young people with cancer. It’s always a reminder to be thankful for good health….and also a reminder to wear sunscreen when I run!
Running for a cause is such a wonderful feeling. I run for Team Odyssey in Pittsburgh. We are raising money for Neuroblastoma. I love that my passion allows me to do some thing good too. Good luck on your fundraising!
Wow, thank you for sharing this. I am going to go donate now. This hits home because I had melanoma when I was 25, pregnant and a one year old at home. Very scary stuff and unimaginable to lose someone to this or any cancer. It was a wakeup call for me.
How terrible – melanoma is so scary and when it strikes a young person, it hits closer to home. As a fair skinned, sunscreen needing person, thanks for bringing attention to this.
Oh and the trail race thing – no. There is a 100% chance I’d trip and fall. But, it might be fun.
Oh so sad. I wonder just how many started running because of a cause I did and I don’t really consider myself a runner yet but it keeps me going thinking about so many that suffer all day unlike the short time I am out there.
Yeah melanoma is scary as hell…….
Another blogger was JUST talking about how she was diagnosed with it recently and had surgery to remove it. Scary stuff.
*pedaled
thanks. you got to the heart of the post.
What a great cause. It’s so sad to see people so young pass away. I blogger I read frequently recently got diagnosed, so I went and got a full skin cancer screening last month. Life is too short to not know!
Melanoma is so scary. I have known lots of people who have recently been diagnosed and have had to have a “small” spot removed. The small spot turned into needing multiple surgeries to correct facial deformities. As a lover of the sun, I’ve changed my ways and am a sunscreen lover and hat wearer from now on. Thanks for the passing the word along!
Sad…but powerful. Running is there for a lot of us. It has definitely been there through the loss of my mother and my sister (different times). I found that running is a true friend who is there exactly when you need her to be. She just waits patiently for us to go out with her and talk to her or just run in silence. Not matter what, she is there for us.
Thank you for sharing something so personal and meaningful, and here’s to remembering Rachel and everything she stood for, even though I didn’t know her personally.
Such a touching story! So glad that she has such an amazing support group of runners like herself.
Trail running is no joke btw! I ran my first 25k over the wknd and it was a very humbling experience! I didn’t fall – that is a victory in itself!!
Sunscreen, ladies!!! What’s your favorite one? I like Clinique City Block.
i use mission skincare, the spray can for when im running and a face lotion for when im not.
Beautiful post… Very sad, but it’s great to hear that running has had such a positive impact on Heidi’s life and that it helped her to get through such a tough time. There are so many unhealthy ways of dealing with grief, I’m glad she found a positive thing to help her through. And running in Rachael’s memory is such a nice idea! I’m sure she’s very proud watching over somewhere. Thanks for sharing!
I too run many of my races for Miles for Melanoma/MRF.
My husband died of Melanoma 4/19/99. He was 29 years old.
When I crossed the finish line at the NYC Marathon this past November (my first) i cried and smiled at the same time. To honor someone’s memory, fund raise and run a race at the same time is a beautiful thing. I’m glad that heidi’s sole sisters got her moving. And I sure can bet Rachel’s pretty damn proud. Thanks SR for sharing this story.