For all of you who have lent your kind words to me, I will continue to update you on my "Big Day", November 5, 2006. The ING New York City Marathon, is just ONE MONTH away, I can not belive it, myself. This marathon awaits me, I feel so small in this so very big event! I have wanted to participate for quite some time - just being an avid runner - albeit I am not a very fast and experienced runner. I love that I can "feel" the seasons here in the Northeast. Today was a brilliant autumn day, perfect for my 5 miler - cool temperatures and slight breeze, the smells of leaves and grasses, the deciduating leaves on the road. I have to watch out for the acorns though, they fall freely and wouldn't that be something if I slipped on one or twisted an ankle? I really should be winding it down now. My long run, a 20 miler, was completed 2 weeks ago in Central Park. I have another long run this Sunday, perhaps 15-18 miles. I have decided not to complete a 26 miler prior to the marathon. I feel it is not necessary and will "save myself" for 11/5! After this weekend I will rest up and go easy. I keep this entire CysticFibrosis.com site in my mind as I am running - for the pure motivation that I can actually contribute something personal to all of you at the site.

I am thrilled at the contacts and partnerships we have formed this year. The Boomer Esiason Foundation being one of them. Team Boomer has been initiated by the BEF as a cause run for "Exercise For Life". I met with Jerry Cahill, 50 with CF, Founder of "Exercise For Life", volunteer for the Boomer Esiason Foundation this week. For those of you who know Jerry, you know that he is a most amazing individual. He, like most of you, has overcome many obstacles, and continues the fight. I can tell you personally that Jerry is a vibrant, humorous and dedicated man. He is passionate about exercising - a marathoner himself - and believes that promoting education and awareness about the importance of daily exercise in the young lives of CFers - will most certainly prove benficial in the long run...he is 50! Jerry has founded the "Exercise For Life" program and will award a male and female Cystic Fibrosis patient next June with at least a $10,000. educational scholarship each. It is my goal to help raise funds by starting with the New York City Marathon. I will let you know of my success when I complete the run (although, I think my family and friends are so supportive of my efforts, that in their minds I have already won the race and they will contribute even if I should not finish!).

Let me share with you what Jerry had said to me back in April, it affected me so greatly that I decided at that moment, I would run for this outstanding porgram. He said (I am paraphrasing), "Sarah, imagine you have CF and that you have an average life span of 35 years (I turned 35 this year). Imagine that you don't care much about education because you assume you either won't live to finish school, or, you won't live to have a career. What do you do? You don't place enough emphasis on a strong education. Now, ask yourself - if you can live longer, isn't it wonderful to know you could and should plan for your education? Sarah, this program, "Exercise For Life" allows individuals a chance at education and a promising future! Imagine that we can offer a means to academic dreams? Awesome! So...sign me up - as long as I'm running, I'm running for you! Jerry is a total and gifted inspiration and I am honored that I can contribute. For more information on the BEF's "Exercise For Life", please visit them at http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/team_boomer.html.

I have also posted a letter at my blog for you, friends and family. I am keeping everyone up to date on my personal efforts and my count down.

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Administrator
CysticFibrosis.com

Edited: 10/05/2006 at 03:41 PM by SarahK

Sarah, I just read this and I'm so impressed by your spirit and enthusiasm. Let alone your committment! I'm also very proud of you, both as your role of administrator of cysticfibrosis.com, and as a representative for us all here. Just remember when you're running, that it will be all of us running with you (like that cellphone commercial that has a horde of people working for you, the cellphone user). Look back over your shoulder--yes that's us rooting you on! Good luck and God bless you.

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**terri--grannie to Kaylee, 6 w/cf, and Jaykub, 10 wo/cf