Thank you for visiting our fundraising page! We would love it if you would sponsor us even if it's just $1.00 per mile that we run ( a marathon is 26.2 miles). ANY donation is greatly appreciated - give what you feel led to.
We will be posting videos on a weekly basis as we train for the Nashville Country Music Marathon to be ran on April 25, 2009. You can see these videos @ http://www.youtube.com/2slowrunners .So stay tuned. Please subscribe to our youtube channel!
Denise's father died of lung cancer and she will also be posting letters to her father on a regular basis to this website at the bottom.
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Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Sincerely,
Annette & Denise
2 Slow Runners
THE FOLLOWING ARE LETTERS FROM DENISE TO HER FATHER
February 5, 2009
Dear Dad,
As a child, when I would awaken from a nightmare I always knew that you would make it go away, no matter how scary the monster. I would crawl out of bed and scamper as fast as my stubby little legs would carry me into your room and awaken you with a whispered “Daddy I’m scared”. Although it might be 2:00 am, you always picked me up, wrapped me in a warm hug and I wasn’t scared anymore. You made me feel safe; nothing bad could happen to me because my dad wouldn’t allow it.
You were my first hero and not unlike most little girls I thought you were the strongest, smartest, bravest, and of course the most handsome dad alive. You were invincible. Nothing could take you down.
In your (mostly) quiet way you instilled in me a love of beauty and a respect for the skill of the craftsman, whether the woodworker, carpenter, mechanic, electrician, plumber or the sculptor, potter, or artist of any kind. You gave me the ability to appreciate the work of skilled hands by allowing me to watch and sometimes help with your many projects. I treasure those times together and will always remember the beauty you crafted with your wonderful hands.
The years went by, and as I grew older, you remained my hero, even though I didn’t always let you know. I was always proud when family would say that I had you wrapped around my little finger. Not because I could get away with misbehaving or because I could have my way, but because if you thought me special, I felt special too. Who doesn’t want to feel that?
Life teaches us many lessons and one of the lessons I learned was that although maybe you weren’t the strongest and smartest dad alive, you were the strongest and smartest dad I could ever want and I would challenge anyone to find a more brave and caring father. To me you will always be the most handsome man that ever lived. The saddest lesson I learned was that you weren’t invincible. I love you and miss you.
Denise
Jerry Edward Stevens
February 27, 1933 – October 28, 2001
February 18, 2009
Dear Dad,
Annette and I are training for the Nashville County Music Marathon, April 25, 2009. We are training using the Jeff Galloway run/walk method and it’s a good thing because if we weren’t I would either have to strangle Annette or get a scooter! (Could this all be a devious plot devised to do me in?)
We ran the Bass Pro Marathon route, at least about 19.5 miles of it and that’s the farthest I have ever run. I should clarify “run” as I use that term loosely. What we actually do closely resembles the waddle of agitated penguins…. maybe not that fast. Anyway, it was a lovely day for a long run and other than my feet falling off later that evening, I survived it with no lasting ill effects and was able to run again!
I guess I should tell you that we decided to run the Nashville to raise money for cancer research. If we were going to spend this much time training, maybe it would be helpful if we had a cause; might keep us motivated. We selected the National Lung Cancer Partnership because of their dedication to public awareness and lung cancer research. We are attempting to raise $5,000 dollars before the marathon and maybe even encourage people to continue to donate to this worthy cause.
Our quest will be accompanied by video updates showcasing our training progress and will include, of course, my letters to you. I wish you could be here to see it; it’s quite a sight.
I miss you and love you.
Denise
Jerry Edward Stevens
February 27, 1933 – October 28, 2001
Here is the video link from our 6 mile run on Feb. 14, 2009
Dear Dad,
Annette and I managed another training run (7 miles). We took advantage of the beautiful day and it was a really good run. For February, you couldn’t beat the weather; it was in the mid 60’s and breezy. We ran at Galloway Greenways Trail and considering how great the day, not too many people were out and about. Of course it was the middle of the day on Friday and yes I did play hooky from work but I couldn’t resist the beautiful day and the weather was not expected to be good on Saturday (too cold!).
As Annette and I run, we talk about many things; sometimes current events, sometime our kids, sometimes things happening in our day-to-day lives and often about things from our pasts. On this run, one of the things we talked about was horses and some of the silly things that happened while riding. Annette filmed part of that conversation…maybe for reasons of blackmail, I’ll know later. I don’t think she got any shots of my butt this time, I’ll know that later too. I must devise a plan to get her video camera for some filming of my own! I wonder if her camera films in wide screen format?
As it gets closer to the marathon, I reflect more and more on how through your influence and example, I gain the strength and motivation to continue training even when the weather is bad and I’m tired and don’t feel like running. This training is nothing compared to what you endured and never with any self-pity or complaint. You inspire me today to keep going and to be grateful that I am able to breathe in deeply and run! For you, I will keep on running.
I love you and miss you.
Denise
Jerry Edward Stevens
February 27, 1933 – October 28, 2001
Here is the video link to our 7 mile training run on Feb 20, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lelop6_R44s