Ever since I have begun my training with Team In Training, I have felt a lot different than a few months ago. First off, I am more focus on my training, focusing on trying to do things to improve not only my running, but my strength. I have been motivated to exercise more, whether it was to go for a quick jog, or hitting the gym. I have even been more open to trying yoga, since I know it’s great in preventing injuries.

I have also noticed that my diet has change, if just a little bit. I am more conscious of the carbs I consume, and substitute water as my beverage of choice, instead of soda.

But most noticeably has been my attitude. It’s no longer a “Can I do it?” attitude, but more of a “What’s stopped me before?” attitude. The soreness, aches, and pains are all reminders that I am doing something that most people can’t fathom (people don’t think they can run a half marathon, and here I have done 2 and am committed to running a full one in a year)

Is it weird? Yes. But until you actually do something like this, you don’t realize how easy it is (did I just say it’s easy?), what a sense of accomplishment you have once you limp across the finish line.

This year, I am running for a cause. I am raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The knowledge that I have raised money to help find a cure, help a person or family receives the care they need is going to be unfathomable. I can’t wait. I feel confident I will finish with a new PR (Personal Record to you non-running people) but that comes in second always in the knowledge I helped make a difference.

It wasn't that long ago that I began using Twitter. I became courious when I read a Time article and then saw the impact it had on during the Iran politcal protest. Social networking had begun to show what it could do.

As i began using and interacting with Twitter, I began seeing the impact it had on me and those aroung me. Some of the people that this is aimed at may remember the story of Katie and how the geeks rallied around her to show their strength over the bullying she went thru over her love of "Star Wars." One person who raves about the power of social media is a simple girl with an amazing story going by the handle @JenFriel.

Jen has her own little space of the internet where she gets nerds to talk about the world, social media, anything our nerdy little hearts desire. I have tweeted with her here and there, and read her blog posts, enjoying her view of the world, from social media, dating, to big political things. She has me listed under "some very hot nerds" on twitter which makes me blush when I think about it. She is amazing on Twitter and i urge people to follow this spunky girl and her incredible adventures.

Seeing and reading what this girl has accomplished through social media (the girl is going to the Oscars for goodness sake!) I thought, why not tap into the power of this ever powerful new media?

So I decided to throw out a challenge to the Twitterverse. but let me tell you about what I am doing here.

My Cause

October 2010 I had won an entry into the Rock 'n Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon. Going on a lark, i went ahead and participated in my first ever edurance race. On race day, i could not help but notice a sea of purple. As i continued my run/walk, there were supporters all along the course with sign supporting LLS and TNT.

"Who were these people?" i thought.

A bit of research wielded that TNT stood for Team In Training. I remembered them when i registered for the race. I found out they are a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a charity organization raising money for blood cancer research and also to help cancer patients by providing financial assistance. Participants in TNT raise money for LLS, in exchange, TNT provides training for its members.

Interesting.

I went ahead and ran my second Half Marathon in January, and TNT was out in full force. After finishing, the race, i decided that i would go ahead and join TNT, as I had registered for the Rock 'n Roll San Diego Half Marathon. I had always wanted to fundraise while doing an event, having done 5K's for women's cancer. Add the in tremendous support that TNT gave its members was the turning point for me.

Thats it for me. A desire to help, and the ambition to do something crazy like half marathons. And let me tell you, listening to the patients who are not only running with us, but are doing it while they themselves are still going through chemotherapy is amazing and motivating.

I have pledged to train with TNT and raise $2,200 for LLS. Thats's what this is here. A page created by TNT and LLS to let me post, update and ramble on about what i am doing. There will be pictures later, i promise, but for now I am trying to get my message out and raise enough money for a wonderful organization.

My Challenge!

If you made it to this point, congratulations! You went through my rambling just to find out what the challenge i am issuing. I urge you #nerds to take up a cause, ANY cause, and do something for it. That's it. That's all I want people to do. I don't mean just donate to a cause. I mean PARTICIPATE! Get your hands dirty and volunteer, fundraise, raise awareness but GET INVOLVED!! Think about what twitter has done in the last few months. Now think of the times you interact with people on twitter and how often something you tweeted gets retweeted. Imagine what you can do with the nerd brains you have. Nerds, we can change the world! If cancer is your cause, go organize a charity and spread the world! Animal centers your passion? volunteer! Get others to volunteer. You'd be surprise what you can accomplish! I have met people from other states, and they spread the word because they are now friends. the message will spread. And don't stop! keep at it. I want to challeng you to stick to something at least 4 months. Can you do it? Will you do it?

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

I'm training to participate in the Rock 'n Roll San Diego Half Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. 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. Every donation helps find a cure.

I hope you will visit my web site often. I will update my progress here frequently so you can all see how far I have gone. Thank you all for your support!