Running Past Cancer
By Jacki Donaldson
E
very time I run — like this past weekend on the beach, yesterday on my treadmill, and tonight through my neighborhood — I feel an invigorating surge of inspiration about my continued journey with breast cancer. I think it’s a combination of the loud music pumping into my ears and the physical challenge of pushing my body to limits it never knew before cancer that makes me feel empowered, strong, alive.
It’s been more than two years since my cancer diagnosis. And the further away I get from the words spoken over the phone to me by a surgeon — you have cancer — the better I feel about my ability to outrun a disease that was once a fierce opponent.
Every time I run, I feel like I am crushing cancer, like I am leaving bits and pieces of the disease in my dust, like if I keep pounding the pavement I will one day run right past the very thing that never leaves my thoughts.
I keep running because it’s good for my body. And because I can’t stand the thought of losing ground. I keep running because I plan to never allow cancer to catch up with me again.
Jacki Donaldson lives in Gainesville, Florida, with her husband, John and sons, Joey and Danny. When not freelancing and working on her personal Breast Cancer blog, she likes to spend time with her three guys, get crafty with art projects exercise and volunteer her efforts to the fight against cancer.
Visit Jacki at jackidonaldson.com, Hope Starts Here, The Cancer Blog
and
That's Fit.com"
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