We continue our training for the Twin Cities Marathon taking place on October 1. This will be the first one for Sarah. She has done numerous half marathons, but never a full, stating over the years that she is only “half stupid”. This will be number 15 for me. We are doing this for a very special cause. We are running for Team FARA, Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately one in 40,000, affecting the spine, brain, and can also affect the heart. There are 4 individuals in Watertown alone who are affected by this disease, several of which are cousins of mine. One of those cousins has already passed away from this. Our group of runners on the Watertown Area Run Club are joining together to raise money for research to help with this. There is no cure, but that does not stop of from working on it. One of our run club members, Tom Batta, has a daughter affected by this. We run for them because they can’t. Today we had a 20 mile training run, and then breakfast at our house following this.
We are planning, strategizing how our training is going to go, and working on helping each other achieve this goal, with the plan to raise as much money as we can for this cause. As runners, this is our other family, and we support our families in many ways. The following pictures are some of the people participating in this event, either in the Marathon, or the 10 mile they have.
Erika and Owen stretching after the 20 mile run this AM.
Paula, giving us her “20 mile” symbol as she was just getting done.
Jill giving us the thumbs up as she was coming in.
Bob and Tom relaxing after finishing the run as well.
This picture was a shot of the group as we were beginning this AM, with a mix of those doing the marathon and the 10 mile. We are all running for a cause…an opportunity to run for those who can’t, and to help our own community of Watertown as well. We as a “family” stick together. We support each other, and help in whatever way we can. In the process we may be benefiting our health as well, but the reason we are doing this now is not for us…but for those who can’t. I would like to ask any of you who read this to consider donating as well. If you google “Team FARA 2017”, it will bring you to a link that you can click on, Team FARA 2017–Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). Then you will see a list of teams who are participating. Our team is the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and 10 mile. If you click on this, you will see a list of all of the team members who are participating. You can make a donation on behalf of any of them running. Overall, we don’t care who you donate the money too, as we are all one big team. One big family! We just ask that you please consider donating! Any amount is appreciated. Sometimes the overall reward we get in life is by doing something to help someone else. To run and be active, and exercise for someone who can’t. I have no doubt you could ask any of the people with FA, and they wish they could run as well. We will do the running, if you will please donate! Thanks!
Keep moving everybody…and appreciate the fact that you can!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3620
