It just can't be. #FitFluential #GirlsGoneSporty #SweatPink #cancer

Jim, David, and Chris

I must apologize to any family members reading this that I have not yet talked to personally. To learn this kind of news in a social media format is unsettling to me but after several calls to my sister, my brother David, and texts with other family members, it was and is just emotionally too much. 

Besides....There is just no good way to say it. No easy way to say the one thing you hate to tell anyone. 

My big brother Christopher has cancer. 

I learned the news two weeks ago, but it was confirmed this past Wednesday after a full body scan. Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer, and though it is present in his lymph nodes, it has not yet spread. Though that part is good news, the doctors have indicated that we are likely facing a terminal illness. 

Some of my initial thoughts on this: Screw that. Screw cancer. Hey universe, you got it so wrong this time. It is just NOT FAIR! Why? Why him? Just to name a few of the more "PC" thoughts I had. 

I don't think any of us really have digested this news. I guess that whole denial thing is pretty tough stuff to get through. The only time I cried was the day I got the news on the body scan and I lost all my contacts on my new phone which I got the night before, replacing the one with a bogus touch screen.  I could not call or text anyone that wasn't in my call or text log. I drove in a fury to the Sprint Store and ran in, handed my phone to the guy at the desk, and said with tears in my eyes "I need to use my phone, please fix it now." I was so frustrated, angry and annoyed at my phone but when I look back on it, I know that wasn't the real issue. 

A little background on my brother: Chris served in the US Army. He is in the picture posted here, on the far right. He served during the Gulf War when I was in high school and was also a recruiter after that. I have always had an utmost respect for anyone that serves in our nation's military. The sacrifice they make is enormous and a lot of us take that sacrifice for granted. 

My brother also used to play Army with me as a kid and every time I run an obstacle course race I remember the days of our "army battles" in Canada at our grandparents home, one of only a few memories I have of their home there. I used to steal his tinker toy set and play with it, likely losing the pieces in the process. Typical kid sister antics and usually the stuff that you always remember long into adulthood. 

Each year I have registered for the Veterans Day Run in honor of both my brothers that served and only missed one race due to injury and illness. I always write each of their names and the branch in which they served on my legs so that I feel like they are there with me. My brother Dave has been ill as well for the last few years so for me this is a small, but meaningful, way for me to honor them. 

I did receive the okay today from both my brother and his wife to write this blog for my website. My plan is to research a charity that raises funds for cancer research or helps veterans and their families and in conjunction with running a half marathon. I will do this in honor of my brother and our family. 

I would love to run one of the Disney races for a charity and have my eye on the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2015 since the Avengers Half is sold out and none of the charity partners listed are offering what I want. The Princess Half gives me a lot of time to prepare, identify a charity (or two) that I trust, and to train properly. This race would also allow me to have an opportunity to see my BFF Carlee and her baby girl Arianna, who is due to grace the world this coming May. 

I am currently raising funds for Susan G. Komen of Southern Nevada, as I do each year and am doing currently (see my website at runwithk.com). Once the Komen race is over on May 3rd I will start delving in to this idea further. 

If you have suggestions on charities I could partner with please let me know. I am open to ideas. So far I am looking at both the Gary Sinese Foundation and Livestrong. 

In the meantime, I simply ask for your continued thoughts and prayers for my family as we embark on this journey. 

Much love, 

Karen