Sarah Presley is training for her 10th Marathon...again.

Nobody Ever Said Marathon #10 Would Be Easy

Last year I embarked upon training for my 10th marathon -- the 2008 Nike Womens Marathon. I asked my friend, Kevin Hatch, if I could run in his honor. Kevin had been a supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Team In Training program since 2004. He had been undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma since October 2006. Kevin accepted my request.

Unfortunately I developed a knee injury a month before the event. With my doctor's recommendation, I withdrew from the race. I told myself that I would run my next marathon in honor of Kevin.

In the meantime, I started questioning if I wanted to do any more races with Team In Training. For various reasons, that last season was a very difficult season. In addition, with each passing season, fundraising had become more and more challenging. I don't need Team In Training to run a marathon, I ran with them because I support the cause - to improve the lives of people suffering from blood related cancers. I still adamantly supported the cause, I just didnt know if I had the mental drive to do more seasons.

Then on April 24th at about 6:30 PM, things changed. Kevin lost his battle to Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Even though I knew Kevin's health was rapidly declining, I was still caught off guard by his passing. Kevin was young. Kevin had so many life goals. When Kevin and I first met he told me he was planning on doing a FULL ironman triathlon once he hit remission. Kevin had a strong personality. He was a fighter. How could this disease claim the life of someone like that? I also felt guilty. I had told him I was going to run a marathon in his honor. I had described how I was going to decorate my running singlet for race day. It never happened.

Less than 24 hours after his death, I contacted Team In Training and started the registration process to train for another marathon with them. On October 18th 2009, I will be running The Nike Women's Marathon in memory of Kevin Hatch. I know running this race will not bring Kevin back. But, the money I raise will benefit people who are suffering like Kevin did.

Please donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Your generous donation will help save the lives of people suffering from Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma. 75% of what I raise will go directly to the cause. 25% pays for Team In Training, the outstanding program that will send me to the marathon. Your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Thank you very much for your generous support!