Why I'm Running the New York City Marathon

A couple of years ago, I walked uptown to Central Park on one of those perfect November days. The air had a bite to it while the sun shone bright. It was the day of the New York Marathon and I thought it might be fun to watch the runners nearing the finish line. So, I joined the crowd about a half-mile before the race's end at Tavern On The Green. With my arms resting on the cold cordon, I saw an incredible spectacle of people pushed to the very brink of collapse. I expected exhaustion, but what I didn't expect was to see just how much these runners had to EARN their prize. It was emotional. The pain was etched into their faces so deeply, you'd swear they'd spend the next 3 weeks looking like Abe Vigoda. I saw guys coming in to finish with bleeding nipples. Why in the hell were their nipples bleeding? People were crying. People were limping, hobbling, screaming, crawling. But most importantly, people were experiencing a sublime rapture that I couldn't even hope to understand. They were touching something magical no stalk-still mortal simply watching the race could comprehend. These people had accomplished something real. At that moment, with all the energy, inspiration and passion swirling through the crisp autumnal air, I breathed in deeply and decided something: I'd never fucking do that ever, ever. What in the fuck were these idiots thinking? Bleeding nipples. Bleeding. Nipples.

Two years later, by some tragic backwards prophecy, I find myself signed up to run in the New York City Marathon. Every other day I train. I run like a bastard all morning. Not since the discovery of Junior High School has a torture been so effective. Why on earth would I willfully do this? On behalf of my Father, Jim Reynolds, who's spent the last 15 years in a life or death struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

Let it be known at the outset, I am not a runner. I am a running joke. Waking up at 4:30 am and jogging anywhere from 11 to 23 miles has been nothing short of horrifying. Although, I've never given birth to a professional basketball player through one of my tear ducts, I can't imagine a worse way to start the day. Conversely, some people have real problems. I digress...

A year and a half ago, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Michael J. Fox. Like so many before me, I found it impossible not to be touched by his story of overwhelming strength, passion and relentless commitment to help those afflicted with this insidious disease. The man is inspiration exemplified. Plus, he was in Back To The Future. Which was, well, awesome. In a moment of extremely poor judgment, I offered to do something big for him--I offered to compete in the New York City Marathon. Which was, well... dumb.

While I'll probably never fully understand Michael's struggle, I've had a first hand peek behind the curtain of Parkinson's. I've watched my father -- a strong and proud person who successfully raised 4 arguably insane children - slowly, cruely stripped of his independence. His golden years robbed without explanation. It quite obviously sucks. Witnessing my Dad suffer over the years galvanized my need to step up. On November 2nd, I'll join thousands of other men and women to march in lockstep solidarity toward searing psychic pain and physical humilation.

One of the reasons I chose RUNNING specifically, was because (as Murakami so eloquently put it) my competition is the most formidable foe of all; ME. The person I have to beat is the guy I was last week. The person I was yesterday. Indescribably worse, those affected by Parkinson's wage a similar war in their own bodies every single day. Unlike a marathon, their struggle won't end in a shallow pool of vomit just outside Tavern On The Green while waiting for an ambulance. They continue day in and day out, silently battling away in the most personal of struggles.

Yes. I'm asking for a donation. I don't do this with any degree of levity. I know we're in rough times and there are literally millions of causes worthy of your hard earned cash. It's my hope the story of my father combined with my own goal of becoming the first person in history to sob uncontrollably for 26.2 miles straight, may inspire you to give something too.

Please know that NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL - and certainly, no donation is too large. And If you don't give anything at all, maybe I've primed you for a future donation in someone else's name. For someone else's cause.

If you visit the site below, you'll be directed to my page on the Team Fox Website. Michael's foundation has raised over 100 million dollars in the fight against PD. On my page you can leave a personal note of support or mockery along with your donation.

In the end, no matter how much I mythologize this run, no matter how much I choose to romanticize this campaign against my own will, lungs and ambition... there's always going to be that guy who finished the marathon on a pair of prosthetic legs. And there'll always be my Dad. And Michael. And Millions of others who bounce back off the ropes against all odds. So, I promise I won't congratulate myself too much.

Finally, if you happen to be in New York on November 2nd, come down and watch. Feel free to bring a smile, automated defibrillator, or a fresh set of nipples.

Click here for my Team Fox page

On behalf of Me, my Father, and everyone struggling with Parkinson's, our endless gratitude.

Comments

[kellymel13]

Ryan:

2 words: BODY GLIDE. Seriously, the best invention, maybe ever.

Good luck & Godspeed.

[nycwerewolf]

Bravo, Ryan! Definitely will be there and thanks for supporting Sen. Obama for President. It means alot to so many of us who have been with his campaign since the beginning.

[ProfessorDuh]

The actor I saw playing a Marvel super hero in that Blade movie shouldn't have any trouble running in a marathon, Ryan.

[Eric Morse - Huffpost Blogger]

Congratulations and good luck! This is a really touching piece.

To add to the chorus of "me too"s, I'll be running alongside you, in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. As you suggested, when you start to break down, all you need to do is think about those people who live with this (Parkinson's, cancer, etc.) every day and never give up. Such an inspiration.

[Alternoid]

OK, Ryan, thanks for the chance to remember by grandfather, Phillip Hughes, who died with Parkinson's. I make my donation in his name, and praise your worthy endeavor.

[JohnShank]

There are no good deeds so honorable as those good deeds done sans publicity.

[leftcoastindy]

He is asking for donations so the publicity is kind of important.

[JohnShank]

I am not talking about him. I 'm talking about the broader sense of the vagaries vis a vis the triangulated messages given daily by those who would no more understand than lend a hand. We are not a nation of wile people, although caution is almost always a sensitive are where the fragmentation of the electorate is all together unnecessary and I would say it's rather scary.

[aprilfresh]

Listen, anyone who can eat drywall and fight off bloodsucking vampires (and I'm not just talking about Anna Faris in Just Friends) can run a marathon. And don't give me that crap about movies not being real. There's only so much you can CGI.

I ran my first marathon in 2001 in Honolulu, and it taught me a few things, so I'm going to share them with you and our fellow readers:

1. When you do something you think you can't do, it makes you question what else you think you're incapable of. The house of cards that is self-doubt will shake at its foundations.
2. It is a long-ass run, Ryan. I'm not going to lie. You will be at mile 12 and realize you are not even halfway. But push on, brother. Push on.
3. There is nothing like the feeling of crossing that finish line, and even if you can't do anything about your father's condition, you can do that. Keep that in mind.
4. I found that having a little Celine Dion available for mile 19 helped.

So that's all I got, kids. The $262 is on its way to Mr. Fox.

[HurryUp1212009]

Coming off the 59th Street Bridge and around that corner into a wall of cheers is an experience like no other!

[NikkiB]

Ryan,

You have my donation and my best wishes.

[cincity]

Good luck Ryan I'll be routing for you. You rock congrats on your wedding.

[Shieldmaiden]

Good luck! You're running for a great cause. My friend's father has both Parkinson's and Alzheimers which is such a horrible twist of fate so thanks so much for what you're doing. And congrats on your marriage :)

[blondecuban]

Very touching and inspiring. I will go to the site and donate.

Now, if you don't want your nipples to bleed, then buy nipple covers. Women put them on when they don't want their nipples to show through their dresses or bras. These will cover your nipples to keep them from become raw, due to the motion of the tshirt rubbing against them. You can get them at this website.

http://www.senselingerie.com/c-17-nipple-covers.aspx?gclid=CPe3rtHhmpYCFRIcawodXUp_5w

[mcyina]

Good luck. My friend in my church choir thanks you for your effort. Remember to breathe and take it one step at a time

P.S
My friend just finished running the Breast cancer marathon and is doing a half marathon next week. I just want to urge people to support as many cause as they can afford to whether by volunteering or raising awareness. or money. I have this theory that if more people get involve because the want to and not because they have to more positive karma will surround these issues. That will help inspire my fellow scientist to not give up ( research is very difficult).

[cke]

Damn. I hate it when people make it so I have to donate. Just like I hate it when I find I can taste the difference between cheap wine and good wine (now I have to spend more money). Or when customer service is so good that I have to buy expensive crap from them instead of their competitors (Apple this means you). Or that fat clear pearl really does look better than that pinkish small one (even though my wife was telling me that all along). Or a performance moves me so much I have to look like a fool extolling some artsy musical group to all my friends (Groovelily Striking 12). Genuine inspiration is damn inconvenient. Anyways, my checks in the mail.

[Melheart1]

Me too. I'm doing the marathon as a member of Team in Training, an organization that raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm running in memory of my friend Mike. It's too late to help him, but not too late to help the 823,000 Americans suffering from blood cancers. You described my love/hate relationship to training perfectly. Good luck and I'll see you out there.

[RealityBeatsDenial]

BodyGlide:  an absolute must for feet - nipples - anywhere you might chafe or blister.

Ryan, it was like the story of your initial inspiration was taken right out of my head!  I had an almost identical experience many years ago in Central Park of cheering on those incredible, crazy! people of all shapes, sizes, and ages approaching the finish line of their 26.2 trek (remember: not 26 ..... 26.2!).  Their faces and bodies-in-agony are indelible in my mind.  It took me 16 years before I did it myself .... but I did it - 2 years after having had neck surgery! 

The stories of personal inspiration abound!  And your choice to spread the inspiration by bringing focus to such a worthy cause is fabulous.  I have no doubt that you will find, as you make your way through the hills, turns, and bridges of the route, thinking that you ARE crazy to have done this - that just the reference in your mind of the struggles faced by your father, and Michael, and so many others - will carry you through all the way to the end.  It's like having flittering dragonflies lifting you along for the journey (OK - so your legs won't be feeling that visual - but it's the mind that takes over!  Really.).

All the best to you and your family, Ryan.

Enjoy every moment of the run .... just to be out there livin' life beyond limitations - and with a purpose of helping

[RealityBeatsDenial]

Whazup with the addition of "?"s??

I really wasn't sending subliminal messages of doubt to you on your mission!

And that should have been .... "a purpose of helping others!"

Cheers!