Week 8

Week 8 (12 weeks till Race Day)

Quote of the Week: "You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill

I would like to start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone who came to my fundraiser at Karl's Cabin Friday night - you all made the event EXTREMELY successful! I am amazed by everyone's generosity. And thank you to all of my helpers - I had several friends and family members who were a great help with selling tickets and I don't know what I would have done without them there.

I would like to take this time to say a special thank you to Jeff's kids, Jake, Jill and Jenny who all came out Friday night. Jake and his sisters rallied their friends and family to help make Friday night the success it was.

Talking with Jake reminded me of talking with Jeff. Jake has so many of the same amazing qualities Jeff had. I know Jeff is so proud of the man his son is growing to become. Jake you are an amazing young man, who is wise beyond his years, and I am overwhelmed by your generosity and support. Thank you for everything. I am so glad you have joined me on this journey!

This week I ran 26 miles (I told you I was back on track after Aruba!) My long run this week was 12 miles at Kensington with the team. I felt great and I averaged an 11min. 33 sec. mile - which I was proud of for such a long run.

When we were running, Erin, a fellow TNT participant said, "I think something magical happens out here." I think she is right. Although, I do not think Kensington has any special power, I do however think Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are what have the special motivation! Each Saturday we have more and more people out to run with us. We have our always present Coach Rick. We have our Staff member Sally. We have our honored hero Mike who comes and runs with us. We all have our personal reasons for why we are out there. And with all of these aspects of training combined, it seems to make the miles go by faster and easier. It makes the pain worth it. And it helps you push yourself harder than you ever have before. That is what I think is magical.

It is this magic that has lead me to commit to the FULL marathon instead of the half. I secretly have been training for the full marathon - I just didn't want to tell people in case I couldn't handle the training. But now it's out there - so unless my body fails me I WILL complete 26.2 miles on Race Day.

Thanks again to EVERYONE for everything they are helping me accomplish here. I hope you all have a wonderful week. And please let's all remember the ULTIMATE goal is - a CURE.