Monday, July 22, 2013

Marathons, Diabetes, and Big Changes



Now and then, I mention my husband Robbie around these parts.  I'll briefly mention his job, I talked about our wedding back in 2011, and sometimes I'll share something cool (or not-so-cool) that we did together.  He's not one to have his picture all over the blog, he's definitely not obsessed with social media (like his wife may or may not be), and he makes fun of me for documenting things like what we ate for dinner on Instagram. So I don't gush about him here - although I easily could, because he's a pretty wonderful person. 

Well today, I'm going to break the silence.  I'm going to gush.  Because I'm proud of this dude. Not because he's been amazing during my pregnancy (he has), or because he's going to be a really rad dad (he will), or because he's just an all-around fun, bad ass person (he is).  I'm proud of him because on October 13th, he's going to run the Chicago Marathon.

Let me tell you why this is so incredible to me.  First of all, Robbie has made some big changes to get to this point.  You see, he and I used to be 'ragers.' When we met, and for the first few years of our relationship, we liked to party.  As much as possible.  We liked to be constantly social, we liked to drink vast amounts of beer and tequila and dance until the sun rose (every weekend, and often on weekdays too), and we liked to chain smoke cigarettes.  We didn't want to miss anything, and despite the fact that we always ate somewhat healthy, we didn't treat our bodies very well.  It was fun, and I don't regret any of it.  But we grew out of that period of our lives. And although it all seems like such a long time ago now, there was one vice that continued to rear its ugly head in the aftermath: nicotine.  I was never a heavy smoker and really only smoked socially, so it was much easier for me to stop.  For Robbie, it wasn't so easy.  He'd been smoking for a long time, and smoking a lot, and a job in the music industry on the road didn't exactly provide the best environment for giving it up.  But six months ago, he did.  And he declared that in celebration of this achievement, he was going to fulfill a life-long goal - he was going to run a marathon.  He's been training ever since.

The second reason for the awesomeness of this is that Robbie decided that instead of just running for himself, he wanted to run for a cause.  He looked at several different charities, but one stood out to him - the Chicago Diabetes Project.  He has watched my dad deal with Diabetes and its complications on a daily basis for years.  His old roommate and several of our friends struggle with this disease as well.  So he made the decision last week to run for them.  (The CDP team is called 'Cellmates on the Run.'  How clever is that?!) He signed the contract and the deal was done. I am so proud of him.  And my dad got all sorts of choked up when we told him that Robbie would be running in his honor.


So there you have it.  Those are the reasons why this is especially amazing to me.  I also wanted to share Robbie's fundraising page with you guys.  I'd love for you to check it out, and if any of you feel inclined to make a small donation, it would be more appreciated than I can put into words.  Truly.  This is such a wonderful cause and I'm so excited for Robbie to be affiliated with it for his very first marathon!  To donate, just click 'Sponsor Me' and enter any amount (even $1 is fantastic!).  Or if you'd rather not donate and just want to read more about Robbie's motivation behind this or about the organization, that is appreciated too.  Just click here.  

Thanks for letting me brag about my dude for a minute.  It's about time I paid him some tribute on the blog.  I really am so, so proud of him.  He's going to have one seriously obnoxious cheerleader screaming from the sidelines on marathon day.
Top photo by Chad Smith

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17 comments:

  1. Go Robbie go! We're so proud of you! This is major! Jen

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  2. I quit smoking about 10 years ago after seven years of smoking (I started young :)). t was so hard but such an accomplishment. Congrats to Robbie and to both of you on the pregnancy!

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    1. Thank you Gina! And congrats on smoking. 10 years ago or otherwise, it's something to continue to be proud of because it's not an easy feat. xo, m

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  3. Glad to hear you both made such positive lifestyle changes, and that is wonderful that Robbie is running for a great cause!

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  4. Seriously, I know you're way proud of him, but I hope he knows that his achievement in quitting the smoking is AWESOME to not only you and your family & friends. You sharing it on the blog could bring inspiration to others that are struggling with the same thing. It's not easy, especially in his profession and having to travel so much. I applaud!!! I'm not a smoker, but my hubby had to quit, and it was so tough.
    And then to go and sign up for a marathon, a marathon for a good cause that hits close to home for you both (and so many others) - even more AWESOME. I will visit the fundraising page and donate what I can. Tell him thanks for letting you post about him. =0)
    ~Kim

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    1. Such a sweet comment Kim! I hope it does inspire others to quit smoking. It is NOT easy. Congrats to your husband for quitting as well. And THANK YOU for the donation. Robbie thanks you as well! It's such an important cause that affects so many people. xo, m

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  5. Oh this is so wonderful! My dad has Diabetes as well, people don't realize how common it is! Tell your husband mad props for giving up cigs and running a marathon, especially for such a great charity. =)

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  6. such an awesome post! he sounds like a pretty great guy.

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  7. Great post! And good job on the lifestyle changes. Are those bacon socks?

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    1. They are! I'm a vegetarian, husband's a bacontarian. ;)

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  8. Your hubby sounds like a pretty great guy, and how cool that he quit smoking and is doing something to raise money for others!! I just made a small donation and will be cheering in spirit for you guys during the marathon!!! :-D

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  9. Thanks for your comments and support you guys! Robbie read them all and says thank you as well, and big, big thanks for the donations! You are the best. xo, m

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  10. What a wonderful post! Very inspiring!
    Jesse is the same way with me posting him all over my blog and FB. I usually have to ask permission first...lol :)
    Off to check out Robbie's page!

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  11. That is really awesome to run for a cause!
    But since I am not allowed to do any sport I need to look for other opportunities to help :)
    Sandra

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  12. this sounds amazing, and your husband sounds like an amazing person. I still feel like I am going through my "party" phase and hoping I get sick of it soon, having so many years of being unhappy kind of opened the door for me to have fun this year. I am so happy about your pregnancy too, such beautiful things happening sis! <3

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  13. big thumbs up to robbie! that is awesome that he quit smoking, especially given to being surrounded by it at work. plus he's treating his body so well, and running for something important. hooray! :)

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