Montour Trail half-marathon: Post Race

Today would have been Aaron's 31st birthday. It is amazing that only a year ago we got a phone call at 8 pm letting us know the chemotherapy seemed to be working and we would celebrate his 30th birthday with a day-long celebration. How much has changed over the course of a year. I have felt the heavy grief at the loss of Aaron, the uplifting joy of watching my son grow and learn, and the peace of knowing that my God is in control of it all.

 

Today I write about the longest race on my race schedule. I ran it last year because Aaron encouraged me to do more than I thought I could. This year he wasn't there to give me a high five or hold Ben or cheer me through the finish line. He wasn't there to call me crazy for running the distance we drove to church. However, he was there last year, though pain and exhaustion. His fight with cancer reminds me that through God we are all capable of much more than we think.

Montour Trail half-marathon

13.1 miles! That is just under the total distance of my first 4 races combined! There is only a walk and one more run left. Total race distance so far: 59.6 miles given for families and organizations. Wow!

The warm up is very important, Mamma. Let's get you warmed up by snuggling!

Of course my #1 fan and coach was there to cheer me through the race. I was blessed that so many friends from our church in Pittsburgh also planned to run. It was so encouraging to be surrounded by these women before what I thought might be an emotionally difficult race.

This was the first half-marathon for four of the women from our church! I am so proud of all of you!

Prayer before the race. Ben even joined in with us. So blessed by these friends!

Not only did I get to see friends from church, but Adam, Sarah, Grace, and Baby came as well. I met Sarah through the Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma committee. We started talking about our cuties and became instant friends (kids will do that to you!). Her husband, Adam, also serves on the committee and celebrated 5 years cancer free in November, 2012! He ran his first 5K since his surgery to remove the tumor from his pelvic bone that day and finished in 32 minutes carrying Grace across the finish line!

Love this family!

Ben was excited for the juice box...er...I mean to see Grace and watch the race.

Ben and Grace fueling up for the race. It's a hard job to be a spectator!

Our cheer team hung out around mile 4 (going out) and mile 9 (coming back). There were ready with chairs, snacks, and signs. This is the one spot I was really nervous to go through. This is the exact same place they set up last time and I knew Aaron was not going to be there. However, the Lord gave me strength physically and emotionally and I was able to joyfully think about seeing him last year and seeing my boy and friends this year. God's ability to sustain and heal amazes me constantly!

Cheering is serious.

"13.1 Only half crazy!" "Run like the wind!"

Surprisingly, my half-marathon was my best race yet! I felt really strong the whole way through and actually enjoyed the race! My goal time was under 2 hours since I finished in 2:07:32 last year. I cut off 11 minutes from my time and finished in 1 hour 56 minutes and 32 seconds (8:53 min/mile pace)!!!! It was an emotional finish for me, full of joy and relief! That night, some of us went out for frozen yogurt to celebrate! We got to the yogurt place to receive homemade medals made by one of the runners daughters. We wore them with pride!

Race medals!

I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who have prayed over the 13 in 2013 race initiative, donated, ran/walked, and shared my story and the stories of these families. 13 in 2013 began as a way to give structure to my chaotic new life and allow an outlet for healing. God has used you to turn it into something truly amazing, impacting lives of those who are hurting and in need. As of today, the total amount raised through this initiative is $10,335! I am still stunned as I let that number sink in. $1,000 would have surpassed my expectations, but more than $10,000 completely knocks me over. That is money to help with medical bills, research funding, groceries, a family adopt a child, spread the gospel, and so many other blessings. Thank you!

Mamma, can you believe this!?

No, Peanut, I can't believe it! God continually surprises me!

Coming up:
October 13: Step UP for Down Syndrome walk in Grand Rapids, MI. I will be walking in honor of Ellie Helmus.

November 2: Give Kids the World 5K Gingerbread Run in Kissimmee, FL. I will be fundraising for Give Kids the World.

Completed Races:
Montour Trail Half-Marathon (13.1 mi) - 1:56:32   Donation total - $10,335
Red Carpet Run (5K) - 25:05
Gopher the Gold (10K) - 55:12
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Walk/Run (5K) - 25:15
Volkslaufe (10K) - 55:21
Caledonia Kilt Klassic (5K) - 24:20
RHGYC Trail Run (5K) - 24:28
Kona Run (10K) - 51:22
Fifth Third River Bank Run (10K) - 51:37
MOM 5K Walk/Run (5K) - 24:14
Run with the Cops, not from them (5K) - 24:32
Passion for Life (5K) -  26:27

The Montour Trail half-marathon benefiting the Gideons International

100th post right here!!! What a change since the first post! This blog began as a way to keep everyone updated on our little Peanut

November 2012

then to updates on Aaron's health

July 2012

and now to updates on my races and fundraising efforts (and I promise I will get back to adorable pictures of Ben!).

13 in 2013

It is amazing to think how different things are now, how our lives have changed during the short time this blog had been up. So much has been learned, mourned, loved, feared, rejoiced, and molded. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us this:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How true this is! There are many things, like Aaron's pain and cancer, that I would never in a million years have brought in to our lives. In the same breath, I am unable to deny the beautiful blessings that have come through these fearful, heartbreaking events. Through Aaron's death and the ability to understand the shoes cancer patients and their families are walking, the 13 in 2013 series was birthed. Out of a need to do something, to heal, to have some normalcy, I began to run hoping to make a small dent in the dark that surrounds cancer. Little did I know that God had plans to use this little healing process in a big way! 

Saturday will be my 12th race! That means there will only be one left. Wow. My 12th race will be my longest at 13.1 miles (half-marathon). All of these races have been in memory of Aaron but this one is special. 

My guys before the half-marathon

After his PET CT scan on July 17th, we found out that the cancer was back. Actually, it wasn't just back. It was back and had spread from his spine to his sternum in only 6 weeks, radiation and surgery were no longer options, and chemotherapy was a long shot. It was the first time we were told that the goal was not to cure the cancer but to give Aaron as many days as possible. Aaron overheard a friend "nagging" me to consider running the Montour Trail half-marathon and Aaron encouraged me to sign up. I had not been training, the race was 10 miles longer than I had ever run, and we were going to get really busy with chemo and appointments. That was exactly why he wanted me to run. He wanted me to have something that was focused on something positive, something healthy, something other than cancer. Race day came and Aaron and Ben came with dear friends to watch me run. I still remember running by around mile 3 or 4 to him sitting in the back of a van feeding Ben powdered donuts...while I ran a half-marathon.

Powdered donuts are the natural snack of choice for a half-marathon

He stood under an umbrella holding Ben in the pouring ran at the finish to cheer me through. It was such a special moment for me and so speaks so powerfully of his love for me. 

Don't mind my face. I just ran 13.1 miles...

September 28th would have been Aaron's 31st birthday. 

Aaron's clue cards for his 30th birthday surprise day!

When I would have leftover gift money, Aaron would ask me to donate to the Gideons International, which is a Christian organization working toward sharing the gospel. Aaron loved God, understood his need of our Savior, and desired others to know Him also. God gave him the gift of compassion. Aaron was able to meet people where they were and share how he was able to live each day with joy, freedom, confidence, and faith. The Gideons International has the same desire to "go in to all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15)." In honor of Aaron's birthday month and the race he encouraged me to run despite my doubt of my ability, I will be fundraising for the Gideon International this race. 

Our big gifts for Christmas 2011 were Bibles with our names engraved in them

How can you help?
1. Donate: By Check - Please send a check written to the "Aaron R. Moeller Memorial Fund" with "Gideons" in the notes section. If you need my mailing address, please email me or leave a comment with your e-mail address so I may reply privately. Online - Please go HERE to donate. If you choose to donate online, please remember to send me an e-mail so I can continue to keep track of how much is raised through this race series. I will be taking donations for the Gideons International through the month of September.

2. Run: Yeah, I would call me crazy, too! Except there are so many friends coming to run or cheer at the race! You can register HERE or find information on where to cheer!

3. Spread the word: Please share this with your friends and family through e-mail, posting this link on your Facebook...

4. Pray:
* Prayer that that Good News, the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be shared with many through the work of the Gideons International
* Praise for organizations, like the Gideons, who focus on reaching many for Christ
* Pray for me - that I would be bold like Aaron and that God would emotionally and spiritually sustain me through this race
* Praise for the many loving friends who will be there to run
* Pray for the runners and the fundraising efforts of this race and race series

Red Carpet Run for Hillman Cancer Center: Post Race

Red Carpet Run

11 down, 2 more runs and a walk to go until I'll have actually run 13 races in 2013 and raised way more money that I ever imagined for families battling cancer and organizations to help people in need! Doing all these races has kept timing clicking right on by and given me a productive way to heal and help. That being said, I am thankful for things to slow down this month.

The Red Carpet Run was such a blast! I will surely be doing this race again next year just for the glitz and glam of it!

Another race with "Mr. America"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought the small dog was a nice touch

 

I have so much respect for this guy! He ran in a full tuxedo!

I had the pleasure of being joined by two friends for this race! My sweet friend from high school, Carla, and new friend from church, Cindy, joined me for this fun run! I'm pretty sure it was the chance to run in a dress and on a red carpet that got them there.

Naturally, the president of my fan club and running coach attended the race:

He also got to run the red carpet. He's a natural!

We each rocked the race, especially since it was an evening race in the beginning of August and hot, hot, hot! I really felt for the women who were wearing floor-length dresses. I was sweating like crazy in my mini-skirt! I ran the 5K in 25:05 (8:03 min/mile) and placed 4th in my age group!

In true red carpet fashion we got major bling for placing!

Carla enjoying her well-deserved glass of champagne...and water!

Cindy, mom of 7, in the fabulous multicolored dress beaming as she completes her first 5K race!!1

They had quite a spread for us! No bagels and bananas at this post-run feast! Fruit, cheeses (including brie), and fancy crackers awaited us. As we crossed the finish line we were handed a bottle of water and a glass of champagne!

More than rocking the race, we have been rocking the fundraising! The 13 in 2013 race series has raised $9,660!!!! Can you believe that!? Less than $400 away from hitting $10,000!!! That is just mind boggling! I never imagined seeing this type of pouring out on people in need. I thought that I would run to keep myself sane and have a healthy way to heal and maybe raise $20 for a couple to go on a date night while I was at it. Your generosity has helped to relieve some of the worry of being able to pay for necessary treatment. Thank you!

I am still taking donations for the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh through the month of August. This center was such a blessing to Aaron and me as we journeyed through life with cancer. It has continued to be a blessing to me as I journey through life as a widowed single mother. Hillman continues to be a blessing to those who walk through their doors as the staff, nurses, oncologists, surgeons, and researchers have one goal - to give their patients the best care and quality of life possible until a cure is found. Please consider how you can help support this place of care and compassion through a donation, prayer, and passing along this post.

Hymnology with Chris Jones

Last week, my brother-in-law asked me to check out a podcast he has been producing called Hymnology with Chris Jones. I felt so special!! My first review! Does this mean I'm a real blogger?

I love music. It is such an intimate experience, especially when it is used to convey and saturate the heart and mind of God's truths. I was very excited to listen to this devotional, to learn about God through the hymns that have been written to express His character and our worship of Him.

As I listened, I realized that I had already developed some assumptions before Chris spoke his first words. I expected him to tell me about a popular, well-known hymn, the lyrics of the hymn, when the hymn was written, the composer and their spiritual walk. I expected facts. Chris surprised me and did all this with a twist. He gives the expected information in the first few minutes of the podcast. For the remainder of the ~15 minute devotional, he leads you into the lives of artists, like Cat Stevens and Rick Wakeman, who have interacted with the hymns, like Morning has Broken. These stories are interesting and give a sense of Chris' extensive musical knowledge and interest. However, Chris doesn't just tell interesting stories for 15 minutes. That wouldn't be a very enriching devotional. He uses these stories to share the gospel and grace of our Savior. Through the lives of musicians, he shows us the effect of the gospel and always leads his listeners back to Christ, what He has done for us and our need of Him.

Not only are the podcasts interesting and filling, each podcast is about 15 minutes long. It is about the limit of focused listening time I have with a talkative 2 1/2 year old son and adventurous 9-month old niece running around the house yet enough time to allow Chris to share stories and the gospel.

Currently, a new episode is being posted each Tuesday and I'll definitely be adding it to my weekly routine! Today's hymn was Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb and was an excellent piece. The story on the artist was interesting but it was the continual returning to the doctrine of grace that was so wonderful. It was a good reminder that the gospel is for sinners, not those who are perfect. There has only been One who is perfect. His name: Jesus Christ. He came to save sinners. Amen!

You can contact the show at HymnologyPodcast@gmail.com. Chris is open to hymn requests for the podcasts.
Check it out of Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HymnologyPodcast

Red Carpet Run benefiting the Hillman Cancer Center in 1 day!

Wow! It's already time for my 11th race...tomorrow!!! I am looking forward to the Red Carpet Run as it is described as "fun and fast" with music promised throughout the course. Plus, people are encouraged to dress up as if they were on the red carpet! I have yet to determine if I'm going to be competitive or just enjoy the run.

3 days after being diagnosed with cancer, we hopped on a plane to WI.

Through this race I am raising funds in memory of Aaron for the Hillman Cancer Center where he was treated in Pittsburgh. We first walked through the door in mid-June. The last time he walked out of their center was mid-December just after we were told there was nothing that could be done.

"And then you'll never guess what Mamma said!" - Taken at the start of chemo in mid-September, 2011

We had a love/hate relationship with Hillman. Hate because we hated the fact that we even had to know the staff there. Love because we loved the staff, the other patients we met, the doctors who considered us family, and even the time we got to spend together. 

The first time I realized Aaron was losing his hair - Sept 24, 2011

You have to have an enormous heart to work in a location where people are trying to outwit death. The nurses had the compassion and amazing ability to treat Aaron just like any other person, recognizing that cancer did not define him. Yet, they were able to show him that they understood that cancer was a huge part of his life and left him with needs, thoughts, and considerations that were different than any other person.

Mid-October, 2011

As I have said before, cancer tries to take everything before it takes your final breath. Hillman was a place where Aaron not only went to be treated, but was around other people who understood what it was like to have cancer.  They were able to share tips about how to keep food down and weight up. How to get comfortable to sleep at night or medications to try.

Eating donuts while I ran my first half marathon

The nurses are not only amazing, Aaron's oncologist and PAs were fabulous! We truly felt loved and cared for every single time we went in. His oncologist wept as he told us the cancer had returned only 6 weeks after surgery. His PA for the last half of his cancer diagnosis stayed late on the night of his 30th birthday, a Friday night, to call us and tell us that the chemotherapy seemed to be working!

30th birthday surprise!!!

This post was really hard to write. It has been a while since I looked through pictures of Aaron's last 2 years - really looked at them, remembered them. Honestly, some of them I don't want to remember. It hurts. Some of them, like the one below, I look at in awe remembering how I thought Aaron looked "pretty good" in the picture.

Trick-or-Treating 2012

Yet, the doctors and nurses in the cancer center choose to be involved in the lives of people with cancer. They choose to place themselves in the very place no one wants to be. They do not do so timidly, but with love, compassion, a zeal to kick cancer's butt!

12/8/2012

Without the Hillman Cancer Center we would have been very lost. How blessed we were to have a sarcoma center only 15 minutes from our home! Not only did they provide amazing medical care, but they were able to connect with us, cry with us, rejoice with us. Thank you.

Christmas 2012

How can you contribute to the Hillman Cancer Center?
1. Donate: By check: Please send a check made to the "Aaron R. Moeller Memorial Fund" with "Hillman" indicated the notes section. If you need my mailing address, please leave a comment or e-mail me so I may respond privately. I will be collecting donations throughout the month of August!

2. Run: Come check out some crazy glam outfits while we run through West Bloomfield, MI! You can register at the race. Please be sure to let me know you are coming so I can look for you!

3. Spread the word: Please share this with your friends and family by posting it on your Facebook or sending the link by e-mail...

4. Pray:
* Praise God that He has moved hearts of people to be oncologists, oncology PAs, oncology nurses, etc.
* Pray for the staff at Hillman Cancer Center that they would be filled as they fill and care for their patients and their families
* Praise that there are centers like this specializing in cancer and even specific types of cancer
* Pray for the families walking through the doors for the first time, the last time, and every time in between.
* Pray for the runners and the fundraising efforts of this race series