In the “Marathon of Life,” success in life calls for dedication to the goal, perseverance, compassion for my fellow man and faith in God! – JOHN A. KELLEY, Sixty-one-time participant in the Boston Marathon (two-time winner)

Last issue, I wrote about running in the Carlsbad Marathon as part of the Running to Cure Huntington’s Disease team. It was my first attempt to finish a full marathon, and Itrained for the run for months. People have asked me how I prepared for it? It is as much mental as it is physical. Runners were required to finish the run in six hours.

The week of the marathon, I read some motivational stories from books such as Chicken Soup for the Soul and specifically picked out stories from the Live Your Dream and Overcoming Obstacles sections of the book.

One particular story, “Run, Patti, Run” stood out. It is about Patti Wilson who was an epileptic. This did not stop her from achieving her goal of running from 3,000 miles, from Orange County to the White House. She wanted people to know that epileptics are normal human beings with normal lives.

The question is, if Patti Wilson could accomplish this, with epilepsy, what can you do to outperform yourself in a state of total wellness? My answer was to run at least 26.2 miles!  A couple of days before the marathon, I came across a quote made by cyclist champion Lance Armstrong, after he finished  his first New York City marathon in 2006.

He said running a marathon is, “the hardest physical thing I have ever done”—even more grueling than his worst days on the Tour de France. That made me a little nervous.

I thought about other ways to get inspired. I decided to dedicate every five miles of the run to a certain person or group of people who have touched my life and who have also inspired me. I imagined all my friends and loved ones waiting right there on the finish one, cheering me on. I thought of the Huntington’s Disease victims and their families, of my friend Bill Johnston and his wife, Mona, who has HD. She used to run marathons, but she is now in assisted-living facility, and Bill visits her daily when he is not away with San Diego Chargers where he works as public relations director.

With all of the above and armed with will and determination, I finished the run in 5:31.25, better than I imagined I ever would.

I want to thank all those who helped me raise money for HD research, cure and care. Thank you  to all those who cheered me on.

As part of my efforts and to bring more HD awareness (I wore my Running To Cure Huntington’s Disease shirt), I also ran the Bidwell Classic Half Marathon in Chico (near Sacramento) on March 7, 40 days after running the full marathon. I finished the run in record time, 2:33.31, but with a small injury: a slightly swollen ankle. I am just glad that my next half marathon will probably not until later in the fall.

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America—San Diego Chapter has several fundraisers throughout the year, and our Shoot to Cure HD (featuring San Diego Charger players) is one of the most exciting events, scheduled on June 5. Please log on to  www.hdsasandiego.org for more information about HD and Shoot to Cure HD.

My daughter, Amelia, who lives in Seattle recently met Sue Nebeker, a woman from a non-profit organization called American Hero Quilts. Sue started with 100 quilts, two hands and a tragic tale.

Amelia wrote, “She does an amazing service for injured soldiers, deceased soldiers’ families and the familys of service persons who die ‘dishonorably’ because of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder all over the nation. They are in serious need of donations, and I thought you have the perfect network around you to bring some attention to this beautiful cause.” The website is  www.americanheroquilts.com and click on “Our Story,” to find out more about how this organization was started and its mission to help the wounded soldiers and their families.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, so I want to thank all you volunteers who continue to give your time to help out organizations or people in need. For instance, there is a group of about 50 resident volunteers (including about 20 Recreation Committee members) in the active senior community of  Rancho Carlsbad who work very hard in putting together events for their neighbors. Dave and Judy Jenks and Barbara Bevis are the co-chairs of the Recreation Committee. Dave is also the volunteer chef for Rancho Carlsbad, and prepares and cooks spaghetti dinners, and breakfasts, for 100 or more residents. Volunteers are unsung heroes. Please take time to thank a volunteer, not just in April, but every time you meet one. The survival of our communities relies on these volunteers, especially with our nation’s current economic struggles. Volunteers are more valuable now than ever.

Read The Views online at www.theviews.org. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Passover, Easter and Spring!