Training for one marathon can take months. It requires a plan and many hours on the trail to build strength, along with enduring aches, pains, blisters, and black toenails from the mileage.
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This challenge would deter most, but not Dr. Larry Grogin. And the New Jersey native isn't stopping at one marathon. He's started his plan to run 26.2 miles 100 times in 100 days across the country.
He's Running 100 Marathons for a Cause
Grogin kicked things off on Tuesday, March 21, his 71st birthday, in New Jersey. He will arrive in Los Angeles on July 3.
According to News 12, he actually planned to run across the country back in 2019. But something happened that changed his life forever. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Endurance sports have long been a part of Grogin's life. He's completed more than 300 marathons and 30 Ironman triathlons. While it may take him a little longer to stretch nowadays, his diagnosis isn't slowing him down.
"I'm inspired to encourage other people to get out and move. We say movement is medicine, and by that, we mean that whether you have a chronic neurological disease like I do, or you're healthy, movement is health-promoting and movement is medicine," he said.
He hopes to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's research and says people are responding to his challenge.
"I didn't quite anticipate that people are inspired and encouraged, and it's very heartwarming. I get emails and text messages from people we never met that said, 'We heard what you're doing, and we're inspired,'" he said.
How Can I Help Larry Grogin?
Grogin is undertaking this lengthy run to raise funds for the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's. But at the heart of this overwhelming cross-country journey is a simple message.
"That anything is possible, that if you dream big, life gets big," he said. "And it's not about beating life, it's about surviving and getting along with it."
If you're interested in following Grogin along on his run, click here. The page details a map of his journey, along with ways you can follow along. There is also a link to donate to the foundation if you'd like.
