854893

That is my entry number for the non-guaranteed entry to the 2012 NYC marathon. Their website indicates that they expect to take between 8% and 12% of applicants to the lottery. Too bad I didn't run my half marathon in under 1:37, and I could just pay my dues and get my bib.

No matter.

I intend to fund raise my way in either way. I never wanted to run a marathon. When I left my last half mary and waited at a stop light for a break in runners working their way through the full, I turned to my husband and said, "I am SO glad I am not doing that!" Almost immediately, a friend put the bug in my ear, but I said no. Then another friend asked me if I would consider throwing my name in the hat. I don't know him as well and didn't just want to say, "No thank you, I suck", so I told him I couldn't qualify. He then told me about a fund raising exemption.

I didn't reply right away. I thought about my grandomther who died of pancreatic cancer a few months earlier, merely 17 days after her diagnosis. I thought about her being told, "You have stage IV, inoperable, untreatable cancer, here is the number for hospice." I was thinking about trying to raise awareness. Making a difference. Actually DOING something after feeling so unbearably helpless. I didn't say anything, I wasn't sure I was up for that kind of challenge. But the friend wrote me back and said, "If it is all the same to you, I would like to run for pancreatic cancer awareness, as my mother-in-law is a survivior."

Um.....are there any options at that point? YES, my friends! There are options! You don the purple and go the distance!

The lottery for the marathon opened on January 2nd, and I threw my name in. But just to make it all feel more official. The fund raising for Pancreatic Cancer Foundation doesn't open until March.

Until then, check out pancan.org.

And this is my grandmother, and my now seven year old daughter, back in 2005. 17 days people. 17 horrifying days.