Yes, the title is to the tune of Forrest Gump, since I am in the middle of training for a 100 meter race.

I heard you.  Melissa? RUNNING?  It's for a good cause, since I am an athlete in the Transplant Games.

Being a kidney transplant recipient, I participate in this great event since it shows that transplantation works.  Most of these athletes were on their death bed before their surgeries, and now they are participating in events like swimming, cycling, tennis, basketball, and (like me) track and field.

Have I ever been on a track before this?  No.... Do I have a chance to medal? Um, no.... But I wanted to try something new this time, and picked this short dash as my sport. Thank goodness for my girlfriend, Katie Jo (who is a runner), since she is trying to help me not come in last.  And she brings a camcorder to the practice sessions to help show me the way, bless her heart.

But the Games are much more than your athletic performance (even though so many there are hard core), since it's always emotional for me to be there and remember where I've been - and not to forget.  You find, even with a chronic illness, life tends to creep back in your head and you get caught up in schedules and stress.  But going to Pittsburgh will help me go back to 2002 when I received my kidney, and remember all the others in hospitals across the country that are waiting just to be there with us.

Best of all my cousin Pam, my kidney donor, will be there.  Since she lives in Oregon I don't get to see her enough, and I look forward to our spending the week together and her getting to meet Katie Jo for the first time.

But back to the comedy.  Check out my running progress below if you dare....but please don't think less of me. 

The Beginning

Part Two

UPDATE:  Did I think I had a chance to medal? No.  Did I? YES!!  Check on the final race below where I came in 3rd and won the Bronze!! Thanks, Katie Jo.  As usual, you save my butt from embarassment...

The Official Race