Okay I've decided to stop lurking and really post. I added a post this morning to the thread for those committed to running WDW 2008 marathon.
I need this forum because I desperately need somewhere to "talk running" -- okay in my case it's mostly "talk walking/running" but you get the idea. Here's my situation. I have been running/walking for several years now -- off and on. I started after my 4th child was born -- I was 41 at the time and wanted to get back into shape. Somehow in looking for a walking program on line I happened onto Hal Higdon's site and the rest was history. That first year I participated in a 5K -- meeting my goal of running the whole way no matter how slowly. The next year I did an 8K -- had the same goal and met it. For about the next 4 years I still ran/walked but not as regularly -- no races. I still read Runners World and dreamed.
Then something happened. I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I had emergency surgery (due to a perforation from the colonoscopy that diangosed me) in February 2006. Started chemo in April (every 2 weeks for the next year) -- I just finished about a month ago. The last 6 months of chemo were not bad -- it was a research drug with few side effects. However, the first 6 months were rough at times. At one point I was so tired and felt so bad that I told my husband (jokingly) "When this is all over I think I'm going to train for a marathon, because I don't think I could be any tireder after 26 miles than I am right now." He laughed and I laughed, but something in me really meant it. So, while I laid in bed recovering after each chemo treatment, while my family carried on all the regular things I was too tired to do --- I dreamed. Then I started to pray about it, and read Marathoning for Mortals, and my dream began to grow and grow and grow.
This is what I decided to do -- train for a marathon, and save for a trip to WDW without telling my family!!! I want it to be a Celebration Run. I feel I am not only a cancer survivor but a cancer victor (I just had an "all clear" colonoscopy this week) and I want to celebrate God's faithfulness by running in the WDW Marathon and giving the gift of joining me to my family as a Christmas present.

I had just finished the "rough chemo" when we went to WDW in 2006 for my daughter's senior trip (we home school so her senior trip was also a family vacation) so WDW is sort of place of celebration for us anyway.
I have confided in only three girl friends, none of whom are runners. I can't talk much about running around the house or my family is going to wonder "what's up with her".
Sorry if this is way more info than anyone wanted, but it's a big part of why I'm running and why I need somewhere to vent.
I'm still figuring out all the smilies and great clippies everyone uses so bear with me. Suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for giving me an outlet.
Dona