marathon training

Hello all, I'm in marathon training mode right now and running 12 miles on my Saturday long runs. 12 miles takes some time when your're a "clydesdale". For any non-runners out there, if you're over 200 lbs than you're put in the "clydesdale division" for races like this. I am starting to really enjoy the shorter runs during the week, however. Reed's Lake trail at 5:30 am usually has more rabbits than people and the sunrise on Reeds Lake starts your day with a colorful welcome.
The whole reason for doing this however, is to raise money for the Anticancer Fund. You might be thinking : "I've donated money for cancer research already". The truth is, if you have given to the Americian Cancer Society, the majority of that money goes to finding a cure for cancer, and for technology to detect it. I firmly beleive that these are good causes and I am happy that so many runners already raised money for this. But with 90% of cancers being environmental (smoking, diet, air and water quality, etc), it makes more sense to find what is causing the tremendous increase in cancer rates, than to find the magic pill to cure it.
Why are there so few studies to find the cause? Follow the money. Finding out the cause of cancer means that there is no pill or technology that the company can patent and make money on. What company will invest money in this? Like it or not, our health care system is commercially based, and that is not likely to change. There are already tremendous financial incentives for companies to find the next drug, chemotherapy, or radiological advancement to help outcomes of those who have cancer. I hope they continue to do so.
But let's not forget that knowledge is power. If we know what types of lifestyle and environment is more likely to cause cancer, it will empower us to take our health into our own hands.
Please consider a pledge of a dollar or more per mile. Call us at (616) 301-3000. I will be running 26 miles. Money will be collected after I run. This will ensure that I do my part and complete the marathon. Thank you for your time and have a great day.