I never had the pleasure of knowing Ed. Sadly he passed away after being registered for the Kingwood Marathon that is run each year on January 1. His wife graciously donated his running bib to a runner who had cancer. That runner was my husband John and he ran that race in honor of Ed. That was John’s very first race and he was still in the early weeks of recovery and he ran in just under 3 hours. I have no doubt that the spirit of Ed helped John finish like he did.
Here is what Ed’s wife Marcia told us about him:
Ed had colon cancer that metastasized to his lungs. He had run 5 marathons before his diagnosis. In 1993 he had a 30 foot fall that stopped his running for a few years. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. That's when he decided to run again. After his diagnosis he ran 30 marathons, 13 half marathons, 3 Pikes Peak Ascents, and numerous smaller races. Ed felt that running gave his control over his disease. He wore a sign on his back that said "Running Down Cancer One Marathon at a Time", and most of his races were run with ulcers on his feet ,other medical challenges, and while he was on chemo. His last race was the 2009 San Antonio Half Marathon. He had hoped to run the full marathon, but at the last moment changed to the half. His speed was not what he hoped for, but he managed to finish most of his races (one Pikes Peak Ascent he had to turn around because he didn't make the time needed at the second turn around, so he ended up doing 20 plus miles instead of 13.1).
Ed would be honored that John will be running the race. I know he will be there in spirit cheering you on. Good luck to both of you with your running. Ed's doctors agreed with him that his running helped prolong his life. Medical complications, not cancer is what he died from.
I think both of you can identify with a quote Ed liked to share. "I hope to show people that adversity is not the end of the world. It's going to happen to everyone sometime during his or her lifetime. It's how you deal with it that's important. You can give up or fight. If you believe in yourself and keep fighting, it can make you a better person."
Marcia Nagle
Here is what Ed’s wife Marcia told us about him:
Ed had colon cancer that metastasized to his lungs. He had run 5 marathons before his diagnosis. In 1993 he had a 30 foot fall that stopped his running for a few years. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. That's when he decided to run again. After his diagnosis he ran 30 marathons, 13 half marathons, 3 Pikes Peak Ascents, and numerous smaller races. Ed felt that running gave his control over his disease. He wore a sign on his back that said "Running Down Cancer One Marathon at a Time", and most of his races were run with ulcers on his feet ,other medical challenges, and while he was on chemo. His last race was the 2009 San Antonio Half Marathon. He had hoped to run the full marathon, but at the last moment changed to the half. His speed was not what he hoped for, but he managed to finish most of his races (one Pikes Peak Ascent he had to turn around because he didn't make the time needed at the second turn around, so he ended up doing 20 plus miles instead of 13.1).
Ed would be honored that John will be running the race. I know he will be there in spirit cheering you on. Good luck to both of you with your running. Ed's doctors agreed with him that his running helped prolong his life. Medical complications, not cancer is what he died from.
I think both of you can identify with a quote Ed liked to share. "I hope to show people that adversity is not the end of the world. It's going to happen to everyone sometime during his or her lifetime. It's how you deal with it that's important. You can give up or fight. If you believe in yourself and keep fighting, it can make you a better person."
Marcia Nagle
Hi there! :0) I found your blog through the DNation website...I ran last year and was browsing the website and stubmled across your blog.
ReplyDeleteWOW Ed's story is amazing....truly inspiring! I love that you are running for Ed as well as 12 others who are fighting/fought with this terrible disease. Keep up the awesome work!! :0)