May 24, 2016
Hello friends and supporters of my Team in Training adventure!
I have been overwhelmed with the support I have had this year. My goodness! I've raised $5,814 already. That puts me over the $25,200 mark for the past 5 years. Thank you so much!
My training is going surprisingly well. I am facing my longest run this Saturday. I will run 20 miles. After that, we will be tapering to get our legs some rest before the full marathon on June 18th. Please send your good thoughts to me on June 18th. This will be a stretch for sure. I am excited and fairly confident that I can achieve it. There are a few things I worry about - my feet which are always a pain, literally, and the heat. I am hoping for a 40 degree temperature at the start of the race with no hotter than 60 degree at the end. I'm guessing that is not very realistic, but that is what I hope for.
My 19 mile run went very well but there were perfect weather conditions that day. I feel strong, though. It is amazing what one can accomplish if you just set the goal and raise the bar just a bit each week. Team in Training is great at setting those goals for you.
Thanks again, everyone! Go TEAM!!!
Rachel Arntson
Mar 19, 2016
Well, it is March 19th, and I have run up to 10 miles so far. That run was tiring, but went fine. I am so grateful that I have not had any significant injuries, just aches and pains and stiffness. I look forward to getting into the longer runs now just to see how I do. I have never run more than 13 miles before, so after next week, our long training runs will be farther than anything I have ever run before. How will it go? I have NO IDEA!
But I often think about people currently having treatment for blood cancer and just how sick they feel with a total lack of energy. I think of kids who have gone through chemo-therapy, and how they have no control over what is happening to them. I run for them!
Thank you to those who have contributed to LLS through my marathon journey. And what a journey it has been! I have doubled my goal from $2,500 to $5,000. I appreciate any donation!
Take care. Running with my heart and soul!
Rachel Arntson
Oct 27, 2015
WELCOME TO MY TEAM IN TRAINING (TNT) HOME PAGE!
Well, I'm doing it again! This time I am going all out and running a full marathon in an effort to raise funds to fight blood cancer. I would be thrilled if you would consider contributing to my fund raising goal of $2,500. Better yet, though, please consider joining the team yourself by running or walking Grandma's full or half marathon on June 18, 2016. If interested, go to http://www.teamintraining.org/mn/ for information and to sign up.
This marathon will not be easy for me. When I run half marathons, I am exhausted at the end of them. But because TNT chose Grandma's Marathon as a team event this year, I knew I had to try running the full. After all, I turn 60 on November 4th, 2015, and I became a grandma for the first time this year. What better way to celebrate having a healthy and happy grandbaby than to run "Grandma's" marathon when I'm 60???
And what better way to celebrate a healthy and happy daughter who survived leukemia 18 years ago? Yes, Kelsey is 18 years post diagnosis. She got married this summer, and it was a glorious day, full of emotion and total joy. When Kelsey was sick, my husband and I talked about those major milestones that we hoped would happen for Kelsey. Getting married was one event at the top of the list. That is another reason that running this marathon is so important to me. I have met many, many families who have not been as lucky as we have. I will continue to fight for them.
Why do I choose to run for TNT? There are so many reasons, but it is mainly because I CAN!!! I am healthy. I can move. I am not on nasty drugs like chemo that zap my energy. I really have no excuse (other than about 30 extra pounds) - no good excuse anyway. I also love training with a team of wonderful people. I love the support. I love that we have common goals - to raise money for LLS and to do endurance races. I love that we don't have to be fast but just that we do our best. 
Your donation will help fund treatments that save lives every day; like immunotherapies that use a person’s own immune system to kill cancer. You may not know it, but every single donation helps save a life with breakthrough therapies such as these.
Patients need these cures and they need your support.
Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help get us all closer to a world without blood cancers.
Thank you!
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.