If running could help find a cure for leukemia, how far would you go ? One local man plans to run 500 miles from San Diego to Phoenix starting on January 1st.
With every single step, stretch, and breath, marathon Mike Sheehy is a man on a mission.
"I'm running from San Diego to Phoenix to create awareness for leukemia lymphoma society in 17 days running 50 K a day," he said.
50K translates to about 31 miles per day. 31 miles would be considered a years worth for many people, but not for Mike, who's run marathons and 100-mile ultra-marathons.
"It's been a lot of training. I've run several hundred miles to prepare for this, lots of weekends I've spent doing back to back runs. So, I'd get up on a Friday, run 30 miles, go to the office on a Saturday, run 35 miles, wake up Sunday, run another 30," he said.
Mike is running on behalf of an organization called Cures Rock. It's an organization that brings awareness to certain blood cancers like leukemia.
Sheehy's trek will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Cancer Survivors Park at Harbor Island. Throughout his 17 day journey, he'll travel to Carlsbad, Temecula, Palm Springs, 29 Palms, then cross route 62 into Parker, Arizona, and continue east until he reaches Phoenix. He said he'll run about six hours a day, and after, spend time also with leukemia families and doctors, all in an effort to provide encouragement for a cure.
"...and maybe spread some happiness and cheer, and tell them they inspire us, to make the world better," he said.
Mike's inspiration is his friend and co-worker Julie Westcott. A fellow runer herself, she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 31. She relapsed this year, but now said she's cancer free. And while running 500 miles is hard, Sheehy said it's nothing compared to what her friend, and thousands of others go through.
"I said I can run for her. For the last three years I watched her struggle, and have met tons of other folks that have struggled with different types of cancers," he said.
Mike won't be running by himself. He'll have friends, co-workers, and a relay team from Cures Rock with him throughout the 17-day trek. He said he's looking forward to the challenge, but knows exactly what he's running for.
"All the families, I've met along the way, and all the folks, that really has become my inspiration," he said.
With every single step, stretch, and breath, marathon Mike Sheehy is a man on a mission.
"I'm running from San Diego to Phoenix to create awareness for leukemia lymphoma society in 17 days running 50 K a day," he said.
50K translates to about 31 miles per day. 31 miles would be considered a years worth for many people, but not for Mike, who's run marathons and 100-mile ultra-marathons.
"It's been a lot of training. I've run several hundred miles to prepare for this, lots of weekends I've spent doing back to back runs. So, I'd get up on a Friday, run 30 miles, go to the office on a Saturday, run 35 miles, wake up Sunday, run another 30," he said.
Mike is running on behalf of an organization called Cures Rock. It's an organization that brings awareness to certain blood cancers like leukemia.
Sheehy's trek will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Cancer Survivors Park at Harbor Island. Throughout his 17 day journey, he'll travel to Carlsbad, Temecula, Palm Springs, 29 Palms, then cross route 62 into Parker, Arizona, and continue east until he reaches Phoenix. He said he'll run about six hours a day, and after, spend time also with leukemia families and doctors, all in an effort to provide encouragement for a cure.
"...and maybe spread some happiness and cheer, and tell them they inspire us, to make the world better," he said.
Mike's inspiration is his friend and co-worker Julie Westcott. A fellow runer herself, she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 31. She relapsed this year, but now said she's cancer free. And while running 500 miles is hard, Sheehy said it's nothing compared to what her friend, and thousands of others go through.
"I said I can run for her. For the last three years I watched her struggle, and have met tons of other folks that have struggled with different types of cancers," he said.
Mike won't be running by himself. He'll have friends, co-workers, and a relay team from Cures Rock with him throughout the 17-day trek. He said he's looking forward to the challenge, but knows exactly what he's running for.
"All the families, I've met along the way, and all the folks, that really has become my inspiration," he said.
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