A very special thank you to Dr. Weiner and the entire team at Livingston Animal Hospital for their support!  For the past 18 years, we've taken our pets to there and we are so grateful to the entire staff for taking such great care of us.  They love our pets as if they were their own and that is what makes Livingston Animal Hospital so special to us.  Please visit them at www.livingstonanimalhosp.com.

We just got back from Alexandria, VA and I’m even more excited than ever for the BIG race on October 25th.  I ran the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River and saw many of the sights I’ll be passing during the marathon:  Key Bridge, 14^th Street Bridge, Pentagon, Capitol Building, Washington Monument and more.  (Pic below was taken during a sunrise run along the Mount Vernon Trail.  The National Harbor is in the backgound.)

I also ran with the local Team in Training group on Saturday morning so I got to meet many of the DC/VA participants and coaches…what a great group and I look forward to seeing them again over event weekend.

I’m still on my “Healthy Living Journey” and feel stronger, healthier and, yes, 10 years younger!  Many people have asked me about my journey, so of course, I started a blog.  Please look me up and like/follow me on Facebook (A Healthy Living Journey) and my blog at www.ahealthylivingjourney.com. 

By the numbers…

• Day 180 of my healthy living journey is right around the corner - 6 months of making healthy choices in an effort to be a better version of myself.  
• 58 days until race day
• 59 lbs shed
• 13.1 miles completed at the Chicago at the Rock n Roll Half marathon
• Long run to date: 18 miles
• I’ve run 735 miles since March 9
• Only 320 planned miles to go until I cross the finish line
• Over $5,400 raised to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Only $1,100 more needed to reach my goal of $6,500

What’s coming up?

• Two 20-mile runs
• I’ve refined my goal for The Marine Corps Marathon:  Sub 4 hours!
• Beat the Blerch Half Marathon is in Morristown this September
• The inaugural Brooklyn Rock n Roll Half Marathon is in October where many of the Team Pfizer colleagues will be participating.

Please take a few minutes to check out the following two links:

• My fundraising page (the purpose of this email is not to solicit donations!) – This site explains what motivates me to run with Team in Training and support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Dan's Marine Corps Marathon - Part II Website
• Ever wonder what organizations do with the money you donate?  Of the many things, LLS provides funding for cutting edge research.  See LLS funding at work:  https://vimeo.com/54668275

I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support, encouragement, kinds words (and donations)! 

Marathon Update #3 will be coming mid-October, so stay tuned.  Make sure you continue checking my site and blog for additional updates.

GO TEAM!!!

A very special thank you to David, Theresa and the entire staff at David's Jewelers for their incredible support!  Mila and I have been going to David's Jewelers for years not just because of their selection of beautiful jewelery, but because we feel like family every time we walk into the store.  

The next time you're looking for a special gift or just a little something for that someone special, please go to David's Jewelers.  Let them know Dan sent you :).

David's Jewelers is located in Florham Park, NJ.  Visit their website at www.davidsjewelersnj.com.

Three years ago this October I ran the Marine Corps Marathon.  It was an experience I will never forget...I still get the chills when I think about the crowds, music, sights, all the TNT participants/coaches and especially crossing the finish line (see pic on right...I guess I'm the only one that thought of doing a "cross the finish line" pose).  In 2014, I ran (using that verb VERY loosely) the Rock n Roll Seattle Half Marathon.  Another great experience with the TEAM in an amazingly beautiful city. 

2015 is going to be a very busy year:  I'm turning 45.  My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.  My kids will turn 16 and get their driver's license.  I'm running three Half Marathons: Chicago Rock n Roll Half in July; Beat the Blerch Half (Morristown) in September and Brooklyn Rock n Roll Half in October.  The 40th annual Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October...Yes, you've read that last part correctly.  I'm going to run the Marine Corps Marathon AGAIN! 

I'm extremely honored once again to be running with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training in memory of Superman Sam.  While training for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012, I found out that my friend's son was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)…a very concerning form of Leukemia for children. He underwent months and months of treatment, including a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, over a year and a half after diagnosis and despite all the treatment, Sam lost the battle in December 2013.  You can read Sam's story at http://supermansamuel.blogspot.com/.

Superman Sam's battle is an inspiration to me.  I'm going to carry him with me across that finish line in Arlington, VA but I need your help to get there. Over the years, many of you have supported me through donations totalling over $15,000.  I hope that you will continue to join me in my effort by donating whatever you can to help me reach my goal of $6,500.  When you donate, your support goes to finding a cure for blood cancer and for patient and family support for those already battling this terrible disease.

• Check out this brief video, “Fire with Fire”.  The research was funded by LLS:  https://vimeo.com/54668275

I have made a commitment to run this event and bring us 26.2 miles closer to providing hope and peace to individuals and families battling blood cancer. I am hopeful you will join me in this fight. Please donate as much or as little as you'd like...Every bit counts!  

Remember, your donation is 100% tax deductible. Also, if your company has a matching gifts program, your donation can go even further.

Thanks for your consideration and look for updates over the next several months.

Dan

A BIG thank you to Beige + Blanc Salon and Spa for their personal support and willingness to be part of this amazing journey.  My family and a number of friends have been going to this incredible Livingston salon for many years and we're so delighted each and every time we visit.  Joey Poto (owner + sytlist) and the enire staff are great!

Please visit their site at www.beigeandblanc.com and make an appointment.  You won't be disappointed!!!  Be sure to let them know Dan sent you. 

(Beautiful early morning run along the East River in NYC)

As you know, once I’ve made up my mind, I commit 200%.  However, like many people, it does take time to find the strength deep within to get to that level of commitment.  I finally got there on March 9, 2015.  Why March 9^th?  For no other reason than it was time.  Also, like many people, I need to set goals to keep motivated, engaged and driven.  So I set two:

• Goal #1: Lose weight through what I’m calling my “Healthy Living” journey…healthy eating, making healthy lifestyle choices and exercise
• Goal #2: Be ready to run a half marathon in July

Within the first 30 days of working my plan, I started feeling more energized.  So of course, I added a longer-term goal: Goal #3 – run the Marine Corps Marathon (for a second time) in October with Team in Training.

Around day 60, I was feeling great.  I was shedding weight, needing new clothes and, once again, finally having fun running.  I was still going strong with the plan.  So, I added Goal #4: Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Brooklyn in October (with Team Pfizer) AND Goal #5: Beat the Blerch Half Marathon in September.  

So, this brings us to today…by the numbers:

• Today is day 130 of my “Healthy Living” journey and I feel 10 years younger (nice to be thirty something again)
• I’ve lost 52lbs so far (picture below: Feb 2015 and June 2015)
• I’ve run over 460 miles (this averages just over a 5k per day) since March 9
• Only 500 more miles to go until I cross the Marine Corps Marathon finish line
• I’ve raised $4,200 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of Team in Training (see link to my website below) for the Marine Corps Marathon. 

What’s coming up?

• The Marine Corps Marathon is in October…I’d like to beat Oprah’s time!  Can anyone guess how long it took her to finish?  Hint: She beat my time by 1 minute!
• I’m running the Chicago Rock n Roll 5k and Half Marathon in July with my friend Andy Cohen from LA in memory of Superman Sam.  Can’t wait to see our friend Mike Sommer at the finish line!
• Beat the Blerch Half Marathon is in Morristown this September…My goal is to finish in 2 hours.
• The inaugural Brooklyn Rock n Roll Half Marathon in October is going to be such a fun run.  Many Team Pfizer colleagues will be running this race, so if you’re in town, I hope you can cheer us on – October 10.

Ever wonder what organizations do with the money you donate?  Of the many things, LLS provides funding for cutting edge research.  See LLS funding at work:  https://vimeo.com/54668275

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support, encouragement, kinds words (and donations)! 

Stay tuned for Marathon Update #2 later this summer and continue checking my website for updates throughout my “Healthy Living” journey.

Incredible experience in Chicago at the Rock n Roll Chicago 5k and Half Marathon.  Had a wondeful time with old and new friends (Michael & Phyllis Sommer, Andy Cohen and Tricia Goldfarb)  It couldn't have been a better weekend!!!

After Saturday's 5k. With Meb Keflezighi - Olympic Medalist and 2014 Boston Marathon winner!

Pre Half Marathon Dinner with the Crew

Before lining up in the coral on Half Marathon morning

Mile 5 and going strong...

Half Marathon FINISHERS!!!