I Walked The Line For Charity

Larkspur-Corte Madera editor Derek Wilson writes a column called "Tick Tock..Time of My Life" that chronciles his days living with Stage 4 carcinoid cancer. Here's his latest entry.

--

I am not a hardcore exercise enthusiast or triathlete like some of my Patch coworkers. Like anyone trying to get in shape, I need real motivation to get out there and exercise. Usually, that means a good meal at the end of the road. Sometimes, it means fighting for a cause.

I just like to take a leisurely walk or bike ride. As my wife can tell you, when I say leisurely, what I really mean is slow. I'm one of those people who enjoys the journey and figures I'll get there when I get there. That's why I kind of rankled when Tracy kept calling Friday's event a race.

I signed both of us up for a charity 5k walk along the Palo Alto Baylands as part of Team Caring for Carcinoid Foundation. With parents carrying their children and with dogs straining at leashes, it certainly didn't seem like a race. I knew we wouldn't be the first across the finish line, but I also figured that didn't matter, just as long as we finished. For the record, we finished the 5k (3.1 mile) loop in one hour.

What really matters is we've already raised $324.23 with more money coming in toward our goal of $500 for the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation. Tracy and I would like to thank all our friends, family and coworkers who have supported us in this cause. There's still time to get involved if you want.

With some good music and good snacks, Tracy and I were ready to party when we walked into the ballfield at the Palo Alto Baylands Athletic Center. DJ Alan Waltz was already spinning some classic rock at 5 p.m., an hour before the walk started. Event sponsors Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, LYFE Kitchen and others were handing out fresh fruit, crackers and everything else a runner would need to eat.

Dogs of all types were playing in the grass, rolling over and waiting for belly rubs. One big Irish setter wanted to play with a toy poodle, but the poodle didn't seem to like the size difference and walked away with a bark.

The course took a few hundred walkers along a narrow levee at the baylands, wrapping around the Palo Alto Municipal Airport. It was exciting enough to watch twin prop planes taking off right in front of us as we passed by the end of the runway. The thrills ramped up when we saw the evening sky explode during a fierce lightning storm. The storm itself was miles away, so there was no danger to us, but it evoked a lot of "oohs" and "aaahhs."

Tracy and I crossed the finish line back at the ballfield hand in hand, arms raised in victory. I'm so proud of her for giving up her weekend to help me in this fight to help find a cure for carcinoid cancer. Together, the Team CFCF members raised $9,414 ahead of Friday's event.

The real competitive 5k and 10k races came later in the evening with crowds of runners taking over the roads in the Palo Alto business district. Tracy and I, already tired from a long day, chose to head back to our hotel for some much-needed rest.

I have found my motivation to keep going after participating in the Relay for Life in Novato on July 30 and Friday's 5k. I still take time out to enjoy the journey, but the goal of stopping cancer keeps me moving forward. For myself, for Tracy, for my family and friends and for everyone who's been affected by cancer.