My name is Debbie Persaud and I am running my first ING NYC marathon in honor of my fiance, Jimmy "SuperFang" Fang, who fought a courageous 2 yr battle against his GBM grade IV brain tumor.  At age 33, Jimmy was scheduled to run his first ING NYC Marathon 2007 but his dream was cut short after two grand mahl seizures and tumor growth in the cortex and fourth ventricle took away his ability to walk and resulted in his death 7 wks later on December 1, 2007.  Jimmy and I were friends for 14 years, dated for 12 years, and lived together for 9 years.  We were to be married on June 14 2008, but I had a memorial celebrating and honoring his life instead on that date.  Prior to his passing, I promised Jimmy that I would complete his goal of running the NYC marathon.  I often still long for Jimmy and running has now been apart of my grieving process.  When it is hot outside, humidity is so thick that it is hard to breathe, and I don't think I have the energy to take another step...I think of Jimmy and all that he has taught me about LIVING.

A reporter once asked him, "What has dying of terminal brain cancer taught you about yourself?"  Jimmy replied, "I am not dying of brain cancer but LIVING with brain cancer.  Whether you have 50 yrs, 5 yrs, 5 days, 5 hrs, or 5 minutes left on this Earth:  You need to live your best life anyway.  Time is irrelevant.  Therefore, I focus on living my best life every day.  I may not have control over whether my tumor grows or shrinks, but I do have control over how I react to my situation.  I believe that my Attitude determines my Altitude in Life.  I choose to be happy and have fun every day.  I feel as though the Brain Tumor was an uninvited guest that I needed to accept as a part of my life.  I know that at the end of this battle only one of us will remain.  I plan on winning by not allowing my tumor to take away my happiness and purpose for living.  Life is important.  Most importantly, it's YOUR LIFE.  You only get one shot at it.  No excuses.  Get out there and LIVE IT!!!"

---Jimmy "SuperFang" Fang (1974-2007)

Sergeant and Civil Affairs Specialist in the US Army Reserve, 353D Civil Affair Command (1994-2000)

US Army Worldwide Civil Affairs Soldier of the Year 1997

Brain Tumor Awareness Activist for the Central NJ Brain Tumor Support Group (CNJBTSG)

Debbie's Box Score

Last marathon:  Watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy on my couch.

Today's Run:  10 miles (following Bob and Shelly Glover's NYC Marathon "First-Time Marathoner" training schedule)

Total miles completed this week:  20

Injuries to date:  None