I had seen signs for the Rock’N Race before, but never knew what it was about. We’d go downtown to get something to eat, and there wouldn’t be a parking spot anywhere. “Oh, that darn race is today!”
Wow — has my perspective changed. I wish everyone, near and far, could experience this event. The Rock’N Race is so much more than your typical 5K!
In September 2017, I had a small twinge in my right shoulder. It wouldn’t go away. I finally made an appointment with my PCP, and he did a blood test and X-ray. Within an hour of leaving that appointment, he called and asked if I could go back to the hospital for a CT scan. That’s when it all started: Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
It was during one of my chemo treatments that my nurse asked me about the Rock’N Race and whether I was going to participate. Then it clicked. “That darn race!” I had to learn more. I had already used many services from the HOPE Resource Center — Reiki, aromatherapy, meeting with the oncology dietician, Megan Ryder for a cancer-fighting diet, and talking to social workers about living through my journey. That’s when I found out that the proceeds from the race supported all those services I was currently using.
My chemo treatments ended in March, and I set a goal to walk in the 2018 event that May. I had never done a race of any kind before — nothing. Instead of 26.2, my bumper sticker would have said 0.0! I started asking my family and friends if they’d walk with me, and I had 15 teammates that first year. I was overwhelmed by the support everyone gave me.
Then came race day. It was much harder than I expected, given my condition.
I’ve always been pretty athletic — playing basketball, softball, skiing, biking, and golf — but this really drained me. My time was 1 hour and 36 minutes. My wife, Martha, was by my side every step of the way. I would have quit without her.
At first, I was embarrassed and frustrated by how long it took me to finish, but then my family and friends helped me realize what I had just done. My body was depleted from all the chemo. I couldn’t eat because my tongue had lost all feeling. I sat on the wall of the State House after crossing the finish line, just taking it all in. My feelings changed to pride, joy, and a sense of determination to beat this thing.
Credit: Courtesy
I missed the Rock’N Race in 2020 because of COVID, but since that 2018 event, Martha and I have put a team together for every race. It has become one of the highlights of my year, and it’s now a celebration of beating that terrible disease.
I’m usually downtown by 4:30 p.m. on race day, taking it all in — gathering my team together and listening to the great music. As we walk, I can’t help but look around and think about the people beside me. Where are they in their journey? Are they where I was eight years ago, walking because they are currently fighting cancer? Are they walking in support of a loved one in the middle of their battle? Or are they walking in memory of someone no longer with us?
To honor those loved ones and friends who have been impacted by cancer as I have, I wear their initials on my Rock’N Race shirt during every event. I also ask my donors if they’d like me to honor someone in their lives who has been impacted by cancer, and I add their initials to my shirt as well.
I’m now able to complete the entire course in less than 50 minutes, walking. I don’t run anymore, even if someone is chasing me. Even with cancer chasing me, I turned around and faced it head-on.
This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of the author’s last name.