It's October! Do you know what that means? Yes the state series is vastly approaching but also it's Breast Cancer Awareness month. All across the nation we will soon begin to see pink ribbons and pink everything being promoted.
I'd say the Lake Nona girls take "Pink-tober" very seriously. Breast cancer has affected many friends and family members of my coach's life, therefore they have affected our lives. October on our team is held to a different standard, one where pink means more than just a color we are wearing.
This week my team and I raced up in Tallahassee for pre-state. All overnight trips usually consist of silliness, good food, lots of talking, and a team meeting to wrap up the night.
This team meeting was different in a way. There was a sadness aura about the room that impacted our team. My coach laid out all of the logistics for the next day and then she began to tell us about what she experienced a couple hours ago prior to our meeting.
My coach began to tell us that she saw a woman when we first arrived, she was bald and, to her, had appeared to be fighting cancer. A couple hours later my coach saw a guy wearing a pink shirt that said "I wear pink for my wife." My coach turned the corner and there was the same lady that she saw earlier.
As my coach is telling this story, our hearts were saddened. Since, no one went up to her, we gave her a name -- Betty.
"Run for Betty" my coach said.
Strength in Running for Something Greater than Ourselves
The next morning, after the last time climbing that uphill before the finish, my other coach screams "Run for Betty!"
In that moment, it didn't matter that I was in pain and didn't feel well -- all that mattered was that I was running. I was doing something that Betty probably cannot do, and so I'm going to push with all I have for her.
Often times, we are faced with things we do not want to do. Whether it's going to work, school, finishing a 5k when you're in pain. We take for granted the everyday things, and we forget to realize how special they are.
Life is full of tiny little things or decisions that impact our attitude and our memories -- some that many do not have the opportunity to experience.
Wearing pink for us Lake Nona girls is not about the color but about our ability to run, to cherish everything we do no matter how minuscule it may seem -- to fight for those who can't.
I encourage you to limit your complaints (I know I need to!) and enjoy the abilities that have been given to you. Be jovial about the little things in life because not everyone has the ability to experience them. Run for Betty.
As always, run fast, keep the faith, and remember you are beyond blessed!
