Hello, MMRF teammates! My name is Tammy Light and I'm from Southern Illinois (Salem). I am 38 years old, married to Steve, and have two boys, Zeke and Lucas.
My mom was diagnosed with MM at the age of 49, and she died five years later in 2003 just days before our son Lucas was born. I am running to honor her - on her birthday - and to raise money to help fund research for a cure for MM. I am also running for Mike Mobley, a good friend of ours who lives in Salem and who was recently diagnosed with MM. (His son Luke and I are both running for team MMRF!)
I started running in January of this year when my neighbor invited me to run in a half-marathon with her in May; she has run 3 prior marathons (including Boston) and was planning to run the 08 Chicago marathon. Prior to January, I had only run two 5Ks last year! In order to gain some race experience, I visited the MMRF's website searching area fun runs, and I came across information about their "marathon charity program." I learned that MMRF was forming a team for the Chicago Marathon, and clicked on the link for more information. Well, as soon as I learned that the Chicago Marathon is on my mom's birthday, the deal was sealed and I knew I'd be running my very first marathon in honor of my mom.
I don't know about the rest of you, but this has certainly been an exhilarating and emotional journey for me! First of all, I'm amazed that my body hasn't fallen apart yet -- HA!!!! (I give Tom Holland and his Beginner Marathon training program all credit for that!) I am also very touched by the outpouring support of family and friends -- they have been with me each step of the way.
I've been keeping a blog, if anyone's interested, entitled "Marathon for Mom" at www.realbuzz.com/?pageID=1997&blog=9165 .
I'm looking foward to meeting each of you. Good luck with these upcoming long runs!
Tammy
