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Bob Reflects on Running 50 Marathons

Posted: February 16th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Children's Tumor Foundation, fundraising, motivation, NF Hero, races/destinations, Run for a reason | Tags: , , , , | 17 Comments »

Completing 50 marathons was a goal I set three years ago. I thought this kind of commitment and effort would demonstrate my strong desire to raise money for treatments and a cure for NF. I wanted “to be the change I wish to see in the world.” I have been raising money as a member of the NF Endurance team since 2000. (This was back when we were wearing green running singlets instead of the sporty, sleek, neon yellow ones we have now.) I needed to raise the bar higher to keep my donors attention and interest. I took a cue from Shakespeare, who wrote:

Then marvel not, thou great and complete man,
That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax;
Since things in motion sooner catch the eye
Than what not stirs

I decided that I would set a goal of running 50 marathons and raising $50,000 to catch the eye of my donors. I do RUNFOR A REASON. Go to: www.504NF.com (smile here) and you will see several of my reasons.

For every marathon, I paced myself, finished strong, and never forgot that it’s not the speed but the purpose of the journey. This really kept me motivated and helped me to avoid a running injury. I also want to say that for every single marathon I picked up the pace at mile 20 or 22 , felt the warmth of God’s smile, experienced an almost overwhelming sense of freedom and joy, and an intense emotion of feeling alive. I thought I was the happiest person in the world! Yet there were some times during the run when the lives of my NF heroes came to mind. I thought of their struggles and pain living with NF, and I literally cried. If someone asked me my finish time, I would have to say, ”Well, it could have been better, but I stopped a few times to shed some tears.”

Having now achieved my goal, I will candidly say that I’m elated, or let’s say relieved and grateful for the gift of running and the gift of my health. I also find myself thinking, “What’s next?” I certainly want to keep running until a cure is found, and after that will want to raise money to make NF treatments affordable. The answer? My running never ends!

Well, marathon 51 was last weekend at the Surf City Marathon so only 49 to go for 100. Woo Hoo!

Bob Skold
Team Development

17 Comments on “Bob Reflects on Running 50 Marathons”

  1. 1 Melisa Callison said at 5:12 pm on February 16th, 2011:

    Bob,
    You are an inspiration and a true NF Hero. We love you. Thank you for all that you do.

  2. 2 Roxanne Thomas said at 5:30 pm on February 16th, 2011:

    Thank you for sharing your joy and the gift that running can be……running towards a goal, running beyond yourself, and taking so many others along on your journey with you. To Bob, who is definitely a master runner now. Awesome!

  3. 3 Tracy said at 6:11 pm on February 16th, 2011:

    You are friggin unbelievable! My 17 year old daughter has NF2. You are a true inspiration and I will make a point to try to do my part!!!

  4. 4 Name (required) said at 6:42 pm on February 16th, 2011:

    Bob,

    Your candor brought tears to my eyes. THANK YOU for using your good health to help our daughter, and so many others, gain good health. You are our hero, too.

    The Vacanti family
    Becky, Dan and Ashley

  5. 5 Sarah Tremont said at 7:49 pm on February 16th, 2011:

    Congrats Bob. You are truly an inspiration.

  6. 6 Bart Yasso said at 6:59 am on February 17th, 2011:

    Congrats Bob !!! It’s an honor to call you my friend.

  7. 7 Tracy Draper said at 7:46 am on February 17th, 2011:

    Beautifully put and intensely heart-felt. It would b such an awesome thing to NOT complete the other 49 because the cure has been found! We so love you, Bob!

  8. 8 Jim Schmick (and Bethany) said at 8:42 am on February 17th, 2011:

    Bob, you are our hero. We love you, thank you, and wish you 50 more marathons! God bless, Jim, Lyndi, Bethany, Andrew, Hannah and Yabsira Schmick

  9. 9 Andrew Hamilton said at 10:06 am on February 17th, 2011:

    Thank you Bob! Thank you for your passion and commitment! Thank you for sharing your words with us.

  10. 10 Anne & Todd Weaver said at 11:50 am on February 17th, 2011:

    We are so inspired by your deep commitment to finding/funding a cure for NF as well as the joy by which you live your life. Thank you Bob. We are so thankful our paths have crossed.

  11. 11 Pat Stewart said at 1:24 pm on February 17th, 2011:

    Thank You! Thank You!

  12. 12 John Risner said at 2:32 pm on February 17th, 2011:

    Great post Bob.
    Thank you for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do!
    Denver, NYC or where ever in between I look forward to seeing you again when your paths are fortunate enough to cross.
    Best regards,
    John

  13. 13 Mary Skold said at 12:18 pm on February 18th, 2011:

    From your proud mother!

  14. 14 Diantha Velasquez said at 9:39 am on February 22nd, 2011:

    Bob,
    You are by far one of the most inspiring men I have ever known! I am proud to be able to say I know you and even prouder still to be your friend! Thank you for all you do and for inspiring ALL OF US to keep going every day! God bless you my brother!
    Diantha

  15. 15 Joe Gunn said at 9:43 am on March 16th, 2011:

    You are awesome Bob!

  16. 16 Kim Nelson said at 12:51 pm on April 8th, 2011:

    You brought tears to my eyes. You are an inspiration to us all who have NF or who have children with NF.

    Thank you.

  17. 17 Julie Anderson Schorr said at 8:32 am on April 12th, 2011:

    Bob-thank you for all you do for the NF community. You bring us all hope and inspire us to keep moving!! “It’s not the speed, but the purpose of the journey.” Amen!

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