My Journey to 26.2

I'm back for more! Being the classic overachiever, I couldn't stop with just 13.1. I completed my first half marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT) program in January, in honor of my friend Sarah, who was diagnosed with lymphoma last year. She is now cancer-free, and she and her fiance, Tommy (pictured with me after I finished the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Phoenix, along with Sarah's sister Caroline), are now training to run the Mayor's Half Marathon in Ancorage--their first endurance event--and my third. I can't tell you how much it means to mean to mentor someone who has struggled with the very disease I am running to fight.

And seeing the direct impact this little thing that I do has on the lives of blood cancer patients and their families, coupled with the challenge of a new distance, is why I have signed up to run the Chicago Marathon in October with TNT.

I hope you will consider making a donation to support my participation in TNT and help advance the LLS's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Thank you for your support, and please check back regularly, as I will be posting updates about my fundraising and training. And be on the lookout for an invite to an in-the-works fundraiser featuring live music, fabulous silent auction items and more!

In the meantime, check out my new running-only blog at here.

Thanks so much for your generosity!

Week One

I put in a little over 20 miles this week, including a brutal 12 miler last Monday. I raised $250 in my first week, so thanks to all of my wonderful early donors! I picked up new shoes at the Big Peach and enjoyed my first track run in them.

This week, I'm looking forward to a short run and pizza with my Chicago team on Wednesday and a 14 miler (my longest run ever!) and a birthday party for Miss Kate with my Alaska on Saturday. Don't forget to read my blog!

Week Two

I'm up to $700! Thank you so much for your generous donations!

Highlights of last week included meeting members of my Chicago team (Sally, Keith, Andy, Amy, Drea, Mike, Angela and Avi, among others) and completing my first-ever 14 mile run, followed by a wonderful birthday part for our honored hero, Kate. She loved all the Hello Kitty gifts, particularly Craig's press-on tattoos, which we've decided to wear for the Alaska marathon this month. Speaking of which, I can't believe that's in a bit over two weeks. I am so excited. We have a great team, and it will be especially meaningful to run with Sarah and Tommy as well as Kate's mom Carolyn, who is still cruising along, even at thirteen weeks pregnant! And, of course, Craig and Angela, who always keep me entertained, and my other mentees, Nicole and Shay.

Week Three

I wasn't the best runner this week. Poor planning, a busy schedule and the heat kept me off the streets until Friday, when I took my favorite border collie, Zoe, for a short two mile run through Brookwood at 11am. She wasn't thrilled, but was a good sport. Saturday morning, I had a great eight miler through Buckhead and got the chance to run with Lindsey, Kate's teacher. That's how much we love Kate! Everyone who knows her wants to lace up their running shoes!

It was, however, a productive week, fundraising-wise. I'm up to $755 (two are offline donations, so won't post here until I get them into Paycor, our financial services provider) and spent the week preparing 100 fundraising letters, which LLS will mail out this week. I'm hoping that will prompt a new wave of donations. I also talked with Tony and Neal at Aleven Creatives, who are going to work with me on concept and creative for my fundraising event! I'm so excited--they are going to do an amazing job. Also, I talked with Sara and Jenna, two TNT Chicago friends, about joining up for the event, so it's going to be huge! Be on the lookout for a website, postcards, email and more!

Again, I'm so thrilled by the response I'm getting. I was worried about donor fatique, but I've met some new people since then (!!!) who are happy to donate to the cause. But I've had many people increase their donations since last time out, and I am truly humbled to have such great friends, family and work associates. So far, my donors come from six states and range from church friends, former TNT teammates, childhood friends (and their parents) and family to clients, online friends and colleagues of my father's. I am truly grateful for your support and promise to run the best 26.2 I can in October!

Week Four

I can't believe I leave for Alaska in just three days! I've been tapering the runs a bit, though last week I got in a decent speedworkout and a tempo run that included the last few miles of the Peachtree Road Race.

My first checks from my letters came in the mail today! $95 just today, which brings my total raised to $850--more than 20% there! I love reading all of your notes and hearing all of your great stories of recovery--keep them coming.

Be on the lookout for my Alaska post later this week!

Week Five

I did it! I finished my third half marathon! Alaska was amazing. We had such a great team, and it was truly inspirational to run with Carolyn, who ran amazingly well and without complaint, even at sixteen weeks pregnant! She and Angela both ran with pictures of Kate on their backs--an excellent reminder of why we run.

It was the first time I really enjoyed a half marathon and got me really excited about tackling Chicago.--twice the distance!

I came home to $75 more in the mail, bringing my total to $925. We learned in Alaska that our Atlanta team raised over $175,000 and that the nearly 1,000 TNT runners there had raised over $4.4 milliion dollars! Your gift does make a different. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

Week Six

I'm still riding the high of Alaska. It was such a phenomenal experience, and I am really looking forward to getting to know my Chicago teammates and challenging myself even more.

And a million thanks for your generous donations--I am up to $1,405, so I'm a third of the way there in just five weeks! I love being able to share my friends' stories with you and hear your stories in return.

This week, I'm looking forward to running my seventh consecutive Peachtree Road Race, an annual Scholz father/daughter tradition. So look for me in purple!

Weeks Seven and Eight

After a great Peachtree (a little bit over an hour) and a good speed workout last Monday, I've been sidelined with an injury. Just a minor foot issue, and hopefully, I'll be back on my feet (literally) in the next week or so.

In the meantime, I'm hitting the bike and elliptical for cardio and sticking with my Pilates and yoga to keep my body strong.

I'm also gearing up with fundraising. I'm nearly halfway there--up to $1,720 as of today--and I'm hoping to reach the halfway mark by the end of month.

Think about it--$26.20 is $1 per mile, and probably what you spend one night a week on a dinner out.

The design and planning for my event are coming along really well. I can't wait to launch my web site and share with you all the wonderful bands and auction items.

Thanks for your love and support!