What does it take to run a Marathon?

What does it take to run a marathon?

A exponetially amount less than it takes for a parent to have to bury their child. I can't even hardly type the words. I can't imagine, I don't know what it feels like, I can't even fathom the pain and the heartache.

But I can tell you this. For me personally, it takes an awful lot to run a marathon. At 265 pounds I will probably be close to the heaviest person running. I will not finish in time to enjoy any of the post race food or awards. I will be lucky to finish before the 6 hour course closure. I will struggle at times, I will suffer at times and I will for sure have moments where I want to quit and I will feel pain all over. It will not be easy for me, even though I have trained for it. Some people run marathons with ease. I am not those people. It's far from easy.

But I am sure it is nothing compared to what the Alswager's have gone through in the past few months. You see Michelle lost her son Jesse to diabetes, at age 13 just 3 short months ago. A disease that has no cure. I have known Michelle since high school, but really hadn't had any contact with her until I saw her profile on the Parker High School 1987 20 year class reunion page. I discovered that she had done an Ironman (which I had decided then I wanted to do). I ran into her at a 5K/10K run and talked to her and discovered she had pretty much dedicated herself to fundraising for Juvinile Diabetes Research. I don't even think the word dedicated comes close to her devotion.

Over the past couple years I have gotten to see her work first hand and see how much she really cares about others. The tireless work she has done and the thousands of dollars her family has raised to fund research. My wife and I were saddened when we heard about Jesse. My brother and his daughter (my niece) are both type 1 so this really hit home. Why do bad things happen to awesome people?

So what can I do? I'm not rich. I'm just one person. What difference can I make? WWJD-What would Jesse do?

So here is my chance to do something. On May 30th, I will run the Madison Marathon in honor of the young man who inspired so many and did more in his 13 years to help others than I think I ever will be able to do in my lifetime, Jesse Alswager.

I am not asking you for donations for me, I am not asking for you to feel sorry for Michelle and her family and I am not asking you to feel sorry for me. This isn't about me. Not at all.

What I am asking you to do is to do whatever you can to help find a cure. If you can donate money to the JDRF, then do it. If you can volunteer at a diabetes walk, or ride, then do it. If you can ride or run to raise money, then do it. If all you can do is keep them in your prayers at night, then do it. Support politicians that favor research.

On May 30th I will take a 26.2 mile run in honor of Jesse and his family. They have made a difference. I hope someday I can make a difference and inspire as much as they have inspired me. But this isn't about me.

Let's help find a cure.

Thanks for taking time to read this.

Godspeed Jesse.

Mike