It's hard to believe that 2011 is already upon us. A year ago, if someone told me that I would transform into someone who was excited to get up early on Sunday mornings to train for a marathon, I don't know if I would believe them. Last week, we had our ninth practice with Team in Training. We are up to running 10 miles, and I feel awesome!

I recently read an update from my beautiful friend, Leah, who is probably one of the strongest women I know. Her mom is currently battling lymphoma, and even though the process is awful and scary, I was reminded of the resilience and strength of our hearts, our souls, and our bodies. I am so thankful to have such an amazing friend in my life.

I am grateful for each person who has offered words of support, donations, and their blessings as I've been training for what feels like the craziest adventure ever. Your support means everything to me, and together, we are making positive steps to find a cure for blood cancers.

Cheers to 2011!

Week 3 of our Team in Training practice was awesome! This week, our honored teammate was a 6 year old boy who has been going through chemotherapy for Leukemia for the past year and a half. He has such a joyful spirit in spite of all of the challenges that he goes through on a daily basis. My hope is that I will be just as joyful every single day, even when we start running those 20 mile practice runs!

I am so thankful to all of you who have donated to my fundraising goal so far. I still have a long way to go, but I have faith that I'll make my fundraising total (and more!) by the time the LA Marathon rolls around. More than anything, I am so grateful for everyone's words of support.

I received a book from our Vice President for Student Affairs, a woman who I admire greatly. The book, "How to Expand Love" by the Dalai Lama, has been a delight to read so far. In the margin on one of the pages, she wrote, "learn this lesson well!" The passage reads:

"Foolish selfish people are always thinking of themselves, and the result is always negative. Wise persons think of others, helping them as much as they can and the result is happiness. Love and compassion are beneficial for both you and for others. Through kindness toward others, you mind and heart will open to peace."

Each day since I started training for this marathon, I am reminded of all the patients and survivors that Team and Training and the LLS helps through the donations of generous friends like you. This week, I have been getting up at 5:00 am to run in the mornings. That hour gives me time to reflect on the day before, and I ask myself if I did everything I could to be positive role model. I know I have a lot to work on, but each day is a new opportunity to become a better me.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I hope you will take some time to be kind to someone, and I hope that the simple act of kindness brings you peace and joy.

As a "thank you" for your generous donations, I am giving away some of my original Polaroids as well as prints of any of my photos.

• For every $15 you donate, choose any photo, and I will send you a 5x5 or 5x7 print.
• For every $30 you donate, choose any original Polaroid, and I will send it to you.
• For every $50 you donate, choose any original Polaroid, and I will frame and mat it in a 9x9 frame

You can view my photos at www.flickr.com/chinako

Feel free to mix and match, and let me know what you would like. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Please keep checking back for more updates!

This past Sunday, one of our mentors shared a story of one of her close friends who lost her battle with Leukemia. She shared that her friend's story is a sad one, but as we continue to raise awareness and money, we are making strides to find a cure for cancer. It was poignant and touching moment that I have been thinking about since our last practice.

Since I started my training, I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of so many people. As we approach Thanksgiving, I wanted to start a little bit early and express my sincerest thanks to all of you.

• My wonderful, crazy (in a good way) family who will always support me in good times and in bad
• New friends, some who I haven't even met in real life, but they encourage me each and every day
• Old friends who I love like family
• Colleagues who are more than just co-workers. They are my mentors and inspiration.

I knew that this journey would be amazing, but I wasn't quite prepared for this overflow of kindness and love.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

I'm training to participate in the LA Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. If you know me, you'll know that I'm probably one of the least coordinated people around. As I get closer to my 30th birthday, I've made a commitment to live a healthy life: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Running the marathon is a huge step in faith for me, but it's a challenge that I'm so excited to take on!

All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event 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 will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!