1K Miles of Hope | Ep. 01: First Day

I decide to run 1,000 miles over 100 days against cancer.

On my birthday, February 17th of this year, I receive a call from my parents. I can tell they're excited, but looking at their faces, something isn't right. My mother opens her mouth and says: your cousin died. That hits me in a way I never expected — even though I've never met him in person or really known him. It could have happened to me, and this plan to run 1,000 miles would have been cut short. Disease doesn't wait. It takes away our dreams, our desires, our future plans, and brings grief to everyone around us. I'd heard in passing that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but I never imagined he would die — he was only 26 years old. And I'm turning 27 that same day. That's why I'm here. For more people like my cousin.

I barely sleep. I'm too anxious for the hours to pass. I go to the nearest park and activate the GPS on my watch. The first 2km go well — until they don't. My conditioning is bad. My heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest. My shins are burning. My knees can't hold up. I take a 7-minute break to see if my body recovers.

Standing there, I think: how does someone come up with the brilliant idea to run 17km a day for 100 days without doing any physical preparation first? Me. I can't even remember the last time I ran — or walked, for that matter.

After the break, I decide to keep going, even if it's just walking. If I can't walk, I'll crawl. I stop a few times along the way, watching elderly people pass me like rockets. That's how I make it to 15km. I leave the park and walk home, which adds another 2km — bringing the total to 17. Walking.

I feel embarrassed about that. I committed to running. But I know there's something bigger at play here, and I'll improve over the coming days. My body will adapt. I'm sure of it.

Result: 3h10 walking. Another day done.

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I used to hear that prevention was enough — but then I found out it isn't. There are far more variables than we can imagine. My cousin was young and healthy, yet he got prostate cancer and died in no time at all. The best path forward is a cure. Make your donation. Let's be part of this together.