David Goodman with his sister Amy (left), and his mother Dorrie (right) in 2002.
The best marathon training plans provide for motivational exercises along with endurance, speed, and strength training. For Get Your Rear in Gear marathon runners, the motivation is a personal cause. A fundraising program through Get Your Rear in Gear allows marathon runners, or athletes who prefer shorter races, to run their own personalized race and raise funds to help prevent, treat and raise awareness of colon cancer. These are three examples of the program at work around the country.
- Matt Carrera: Walt Disney World Marathon
The Get Your Rear in Gear blog has been following the progress of runner Matt Carrera, a Rhode Island chiropractor whose father was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cecum, with neuroendocrine markers. Matt is working with Ask the Trainer running coach Matt Forsman to get in shape for the race, and feels that his running is going well. In a recent update he writes, “my training is going really well, working to build up speed over long distances and stamina to not hit ‘the wall’ as runners find towards the middle of long runs. My goal, of course, is just to finish, but a respectable time would be a bonus as well!” Matt’s dad, Jeff, is also doing well. The tumors have continued to shrink, and he is tolerating the treatments with minimal side effects. Doctors plan to continue chemotherapy, then perform surgery surgery in January or February. Matt is running the Walt Disney World Marathon in January 2011.
- David Goodman: New York City Marathon
David lost his mother, Dorrie Goodman, to colon cancer one year ago. After several attempts to get into the New York City Marathon, David finally got in this year and is using his efforts to raise funds to help prevent, treat and raise awareness of colon cancer. In David’s words, “I’m raising funds for Get Your Rear in Gear, which is part of the Colon Cancer Coalition, who do really good things and are not corporate criminals and I think their name is funny. It’s easy: I run, you pay — a buck a mile (a marathon is 26 miles), or whatever you can afford.” Find out more about David, or contribute to his cause by visiting his fundraising page. But hurry! The New York City Marathon will take place November 7, 2010.
- Amy Crawford: running a personal 5K for a friend
Amy contacted Get Your Rear in Gear because there was no official event in her area, and she wanted to raise funds in honor of her friend and mentor Karen Head. Karen and her husband Forrest were part of a church group that had a positive impact on Amy during her high school years. Karen is currently battling stage IV colon cancer. To show her support, Amy has gathered a number of friends to set up a personal walk/run event in their community, near Jacksonville, Florida. Amy will set up a fundraising page at GetYourRearinGear.com to raise funds and spread the word in the community about the importance of colon cancer screening. More information about Amy and her Florida 5K will be coming soon.