Hi everyone!

I'm baccccck and ready for round two with Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Some of you may recall that in 2010 I trained for and ran the Shamrock Half-Marathon with Team in Training to raise money to beat leukemia and lymphoma because CANCER SUCKS. In fact, you can even holler at my fundraising page from the first time around.

Yeah, you try looking hot at 5am.

I also made Brett run the half with me :)

I had such a great experience with TNT my first time around - I transitioned from a total couch potato to a half-marathoner and changed my life and health forever. So I’ve decided to come back for more. And this time, I’m coming back for a MARATHON.

Yes, you heard (read?) that right. On October 30, I will be running all 26.2 miles of the Marine Corps Marathon – which should make for a really interesting and painful Halloween the day after.

So let me tell you a little bit about why I am running a marathon with Team in Training (TNT). TNT is a group of more than 32,000 volunteers nationwide. We participate in endurance events while raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Society is a not-for-profit, voluntary health organization whose mission is to cure blood cancers - leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin’s disease-and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The Society provides funding for research, public and professional education patient aid, and community service programs. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

But why me, personally?

A couple of years ago, Jeff – my mom’s husband’s son (yeah, just go ahead and try to keep my family straight) – was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He’s doing well, but I’m raising money for cancer research for him and the beautiful family who loves him. They’re all really cool, as you can tell:

I would so appreciate it if you could make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. That being said, I know times are tough, and many of you donated last time around, and I’m not expecting big money here. Five or ten dollars would go a long way toward helping me to accomplish my goal, and I would be so grateful.

Be sure to bookmark my site and check back! I’ll be updating everyone on my progress and posting really embarrassing training photos. Thanks for your support!