Racing to Save Lives

I'm fundraising and running a marathon again as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training. All of us in Team in Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing my marathon and fundraising in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line...a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team in Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you'll visit my Web site often and also share the link with others. I'll keep you updated on my progress, both fundraising and running. Thanks for your support!

Training So Far:

5/23/09

Well, since I'm relatively used to marathons now (I've raced in two and regularly do 20-mile runs), I decided I was up for a new challenge. So, last weekend, I ran/hiked the Grand Canyon from south rim to north rim back to south rim (45ish miles). 23 hours and a little less sanity later, we finished. As testimony to the loss of sanity, I'd be willing to do it again!

6/26/09

I've decided my new challenge with running is to increase my intensity. I bought a heart rate monitor--my new toy--so I can see how much I'm pushing myself. It's definitely helped me to push myself more (and also to feel dead tired after my workout!). But I definitely have noticed a difference. I'm able to run faster, even on my 20-mile runs. We'll see how much I can pick up the pace before leaving for Dublin!

7/25/09

With running, fundraising, work, teaching piano, and other activities, life feels like a whirlwind. Sometimes I wonder how I'm going to fit it all in. My sister gave me a wall plaque that says we make time for the things that are most important and of most value to us. I believe that's true, and I'm glad that I've been able to make time for running and fundraising. Honestly, if I weren't fundraising to support LLS's mission, my running time would suffer; it wouldn't be as much a priority. I feel priviledged to help those with blood cancer and am grateful that it helps me prioritize my life with worthwhile activities.

Fundraising has been difficult this year, but I'm not giving up. Thanks to all who have graciously donated. Whether you've donated or not, would you please share the link to my site with your friends and family? Even if someone can only donate $1 or $5, that amount will make a difference to someone battling with blood cancer. Through the small act of sharing my link with others and making small donations, together we can make a big impact in the fight against blood cancers!