Missy's Journey to the Walt Disney World Marathon
June 15, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
Well, I’ve gone and done it...I have signed up for a marathon. Not just any marathon...the Walt
Disney World Marathon. And I am running it for Team Diabetes.
For some of you (those that know my truly bad self), this will not come as much of a surprise.
However, I hope that all of you will find my reasons for deciding to run this marathon interesting.
Why do I want to run a marathon? Well, why not? Doesn’t continuously putting one foot in front of
the other for 42 kms or 4 ! hours sound like fun? No? What about black toe nails, blisters, or
stone-stiff muscles... the inevitable consequences of running nearly a thousand miles in the next 6
months while training for the aforementioned joyous event? Need more? What about being able to
sit on a patio enjoying a few beers and pizza without worrying about gaining a pound?
Alternatively, I could tone up my legs, flatten my abs, and firm up my buttocks if I do not enjoy too
many of the aforementioned beers and pizzas! Have I recruited myself a few teammates?
On a more serious note, I have always said I wanted to run a marathon. There is something deeply
gratifying about challenging and overcoming your physical and mental limits. Sometimes the
journey is less than pleasant, but the end result is immensely rewarding. So yes, part of my desire
to run this race is about my personal goals or crazy ideas depending on who you ask! However,
having previously completed several half marathons and a half ironman, I recognize that all the
beer and pizza in the world are not going to be enough to get me through the training required to
complete this event. Which is one of the reasons why I decided to do this race as a fundraiser.
I am relying on the fundraising commitment to seem overwhelming in the hopes that training for
and running a marathon will actually seem doable. So, when I am out in the scorching heat/ driving
rain/ winter wind, asking myself “what am I doing?” I will remember everyone who is cheering for
me. I hope that I will also reflect on the fact that I am subjecting myself to this torture for
something bigger than mere personal achievement.
My mom was diagnosed with diabetes over 40 years ago. It is easy to become complacent about a
disease that appears to be managed fairly well with medications. But the truth is diabetes is a
serious disease with devastating complications. Heart, kidney, vision, digestive, thyroid, and skin
problems are among the complications my mom has been struggling with for years. This spring, my
mom underwent an aortic valve and coronary artery replacement. The surgery and recovery has
gone well, but it served as a real wake-up call to the seriousness of this disease. I can’t fix my
mom’s feet so she can walk more, I can’t make her heart stronger so she can play outside with her
grandson, I can’t prevent the inevitable long term consequences of this disease that will necessitate
further tests, hospital visits, and treatments. So maybe I am running this race because it is
something that I can do. I can finish this race for my mom. I can raise money for diabetes research.
I can raise awareness about a disease that not only affects the life of my mom and our family but
the lives of over 2 million Canadians.
While, much of the preparation for this marathon will necessitate my spending unrealistic hours
alone on the roads and pathways of Calgary, I cannot achieve my goals without the help of my
friends and family. I am reaching out asking all of you for your financial support and
encouragement. I am committed to raising at least $4,500. My first fundraising deadline is
$1,500 by September 1st. Donations can be made at www.teamdiabetes.ca, by mailing a check
(made out to the Canadian Diabetes Association) or credit card donation form to me at 22 Mc
Hugh Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7R7, by phoning me at (403) 220-0805, or in person.
Part of my fundraising strategy includes a website I have set up to document the happy trails to
race day. The website address is http://marathon4diabetes.pledgepage.org. I will post information
about upcoming fundraising events and progress (i.e. garage sale and bottle drive). In addition, I will
continue to send out regular emails keeping my fans updated on my training progress and reminding
people to donate to the worthy cause. I encourage you to forward my emails and website to anyone
you think would be interested in supporting me in this endeavor. I am also looking for any tips and
advice on how to meet my fundraising goals.
So what’s in this for you? Lots of laughs as you follow me in my journey to run 26.2 miles and
raise $4,500. You will also feel top-notch knowing that your donation helped me to achieve my
goals and make a difference for people affected by diabetes without having to break a sweat. Not
to mention, you will receive a nice tax receipt in exchange for your donation over $15.00 (and don’t
we all enjoy pulling out those nice deductions at tax time!).
Thank you in advance for your support. I look forward to hearing from you.
Happy trails,
Melissa (Missy) Skirten
Dear Friends and Family,
Well, I’ve gone and done it...I have signed up for a marathon. Not just any marathon...the Walt
Disney World Marathon. And I am running it for Team Diabetes.
For some of you (those that know my truly bad self), this will not come as much of a surprise.
However, I hope that all of you will find my reasons for deciding to run this marathon interesting.
Why do I want to run a marathon? Well, why not? Doesn’t continuously putting one foot in front of
the other for 42 kms or 4 ! hours sound like fun? No? What about black toe nails, blisters, or
stone-stiff muscles... the inevitable consequences of running nearly a thousand miles in the next 6
months while training for the aforementioned joyous event? Need more? What about being able to
sit on a patio enjoying a few beers and pizza without worrying about gaining a pound?
Alternatively, I could tone up my legs, flatten my abs, and firm up my buttocks if I do not enjoy too
many of the aforementioned beers and pizzas! Have I recruited myself a few teammates?
On a more serious note, I have always said I wanted to run a marathon. There is something deeply
gratifying about challenging and overcoming your physical and mental limits. Sometimes the
journey is less than pleasant, but the end result is immensely rewarding. So yes, part of my desire
to run this race is about my personal goals or crazy ideas depending on who you ask! However,
having previously completed several half marathons and a half ironman, I recognize that all the
beer and pizza in the world are not going to be enough to get me through the training required to
complete this event. Which is one of the reasons why I decided to do this race as a fundraiser.
I am relying on the fundraising commitment to seem overwhelming in the hopes that training for
and running a marathon will actually seem doable. So, when I am out in the scorching heat/ driving
rain/ winter wind, asking myself “what am I doing?” I will remember everyone who is cheering for
me. I hope that I will also reflect on the fact that I am subjecting myself to this torture for
something bigger than mere personal achievement.
My mom was diagnosed with diabetes over 40 years ago. It is easy to become complacent about a
disease that appears to be managed fairly well with medications. But the truth is diabetes is a
serious disease with devastating complications. Heart, kidney, vision, digestive, thyroid, and skin
problems are among the complications my mom has been struggling with for years. This spring, my
mom underwent an aortic valve and coronary artery replacement. The surgery and recovery has
gone well, but it served as a real wake-up call to the seriousness of this disease. I can’t fix my
mom’s feet so she can walk more, I can’t make her heart stronger so she can play outside with her
grandson, I can’t prevent the inevitable long term consequences of this disease that will necessitate
further tests, hospital visits, and treatments. So maybe I am running this race because it is
something that I can do. I can finish this race for my mom. I can raise money for diabetes research.
I can raise awareness about a disease that not only affects the life of my mom and our family but
the lives of over 2 million Canadians.
While, much of the preparation for this marathon will necessitate my spending unrealistic hours
alone on the roads and pathways of Calgary, I cannot achieve my goals without the help of my
friends and family. I am reaching out asking all of you for your financial support and
encouragement. I am committed to raising at least $4,500. My first fundraising deadline is
$1,500 by September 1st. Donations can be made at www.teamdiabetes.ca, by mailing a check
(made out to the Canadian Diabetes Association) or credit card donation form to me at 22 Mc
Hugh Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7R7, by phoning me at (403) 220-0805, or in person.
Part of my fundraising strategy includes a website I have set up to document the happy trails to
race day. The website address is http://marathon4diabetes.pledgepage.org. I will post information
about upcoming fundraising events and progress (i.e. garage sale and bottle drive). In addition, I will
continue to send out regular emails keeping my fans updated on my training progress and reminding
people to donate to the worthy cause. I encourage you to forward my emails and website to anyone
you think would be interested in supporting me in this endeavor. I am also looking for any tips and
advice on how to meet my fundraising goals.
So what’s in this for you? Lots of laughs as you follow me in my journey to run 26.2 miles and
raise $4,500. You will also feel top-notch knowing that your donation helped me to achieve my
goals and make a difference for people affected by diabetes without having to break a sweat. Not
to mention, you will receive a nice tax receipt in exchange for your donation over $15.00 (and don’t
we all enjoy pulling out those nice deductions at tax time!).
Thank you in advance for your support. I look forward to hearing from you.
Happy trails,
Melissa (Missy) Skirten