We had a great group run this morning at Salem Lake. Last time I was here it was raining and 32 degrees but today it was sunny and beautiful and got to see a very cool owl, sitting right by the water in a eye level branch. It was pretty amazing. He just sat there and stared at us, until I tried to take a picture and of course, he flew. Then a while later I looked down into the water, right by the shoreline, and a huge orange koi was sitting there. He had to be at least 16" long. Now I'm thinking he might have been 2 feet, but don't want to tell any fish tales. :)

We had a group of about 10 people and Taylor and I broke personal records by doing 12 miles! Each of us had only done about 10 previously, so we were very happy to see the end of the trail today. Just 2 weeks left until the April 28th Nike Half Marathon in Washington DC! And only 2 more days of fundraising. Thank you everybody for caring and cheering me on. I wish my Dad could be here to see me cross the finish line, but I know he'll be watching from above.

Last week I was in Texas for work (a big antique show) and found some quiet time to run with the locals. It was peaceful. When I got back to North Carolina yesterday, I was happy to find that that Spring had snuck in while I was away. It was a long winter of training that felt like it would never end. Hearing the songs of the birds reminds me that the circle of life continues. I miss my Dad terribly, but I hear him in the wind, and I see him in the hawk that flies over head. I am lucky to feel his presence with me as I run and run and run. 19 days until the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I can do this. Thank you for your continued support.

If you go back to my first post you will see a photo from my first 5 mile run in January. Although I ran the same path this week, it's looking a little more springy, despite the 30 degree mornings.

Thank you PetsUnlimited.com for your sponsorship of my run and of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training!

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This weekend I ran 4 miles in Delaware on Saturday and 6 miles in Manhattan on Sunday. I love NY!, especially at 7am on Sunday morning when you can run through the streets and not see another living soul. Even in the freezing cold, the trees are starting to bud.

Thank You for your continued support! You are amazing and your donations WILL make a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer. Visit www.LLS.org to see how. I can hardly believe your generosity! Together we have raised over $7165.00!!! Let's see if we can make it to $8000. We have until April 15th!

Looking forward to April 28th in Washington DC!

"Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...

"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine..."

— Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden)

My sweet sister Julian Stacy Kinney has generously offered to match any donations made by her friends and co-workers, up to $1000. (Update... make that $2000.!) So if you work at JM&A Group, know my sister through the auto industry or are friends with her, your donations will be matched!!! How awesome is that!?!?

I am so proud of her and all that she has acomplished. She works hard and loves her friends and family with the kindest of hearts.

The past few months have been a difficult and sad time for our whole family. I might be the one physically running the race, but my sisters, Jame' and Julian Stacy, my brother Mark, my Mom, Mandy, and my boyfriend, Michael are working hard behind the scenes to raise awareness and money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I'm grateful for each of their personal gifts and talents that are making it possible for me to train for this event.

Thank you for continuing to support me in my training and for the donations you have made to help fight cancer! Your thoughts and prayers will keep me strong and no donation is too small to make a difference in the life of someone that is fighting to survive.