Yesterday I paced with 3 other gals who I've run with all season. One of my friends took a picture of the lake we run at around mile 4. The weather was one of those perfect spring days you wish you could bottle up and savor.

I ran 13 miles. It was tough as my body just wasn't feeling it and mentally I had a hard time pushing myself on. That's the beauty of pacing with teammates. They're not going to leave your ass on the pavement. They push you through and keep you mentally focused.

Even though I've run 13 miles a hand full of times prior to, I needed to mentally finish yesterday so that I was confident walking into race day in 3 weeks. There's no better feeling than walking back to your car knowing that before 10am on a Saturday morning you've got a long run finished and logged.

There were miles I was clear-headed and in a zone. There were miles I was foggy-headed and dreading every next step. In the end, the payoff was worth it. Knowing I'm doing this for the thousands of people who can't helped get me to that final mile.

And the beauty of running around a lake here in Dallas isn't so bad either.

Today marks exactly one month before I lace up my (new) shoes and hit the pavement in DC running in Kelli's honor.

Thus far I have 73 donors who have taken a few minutes and spent a few dollars helping me with this cause. I cannot thank you all enough. Truly. The out pouring of support has been incredible and it is a daily reminder that I have surrounded myself with wonderful folks in my life.

I. AM. BLESSED.

So blessed.

Running for me is not something I love, but I do love the commraderie I have with some of my teammates and I love the feeling after a long run knowing that I am doing something to better this world in terms of eradicating blood cancers. Not to mention, I feel physically better each month I have dedicated to training.

I'm not the fastest.

I'm not the slickets.

But I am a runner.

Thoughts during this weekend's runs:

1. Probably should replace my running shoes given there is little tread on the bottoms and the roads are slick and I am one step away from busting it.

2. Why didn't I purchase new shoes already? Because I am MO-ron.

3. Do they sell my preferred shoe brand in pink? Wait, I don't need to draw attention to myself while running and making a fool of myself.

4. I really do run super slow, are the chances of injury really that great?

5. What shall I have for lunch? Ghees, I am starving....cheeseburger? Maybe a buffet is more my style given my stomach feels like I haven't eaten since 2012.

6. Running sure beats having to sit in a chemo lounge. Why do they call them a lounge any way? I still need new shoes though.

7. Next month I will have been officially training to be classified as a long-distance endurance athlete for 12 months. At least the guy at the inspiration dinner I attended in June classified us runners as long distance endurance athletes so I'll take the lable.

8. 2 years ago I would have laughed at someone had they bet my salary I would be a "runner" by the age of 36.

9. I can't give this up. There are too many folks out there that need more funding and treatments to help them kick cancer's ass.

Saturday's run was cathartic. Needed. Spiritual. Gorgeous. Cold. Tiring. All of those things rolled up into what I call the goodness of a run.

I paced with a gal who I met quite a few months ago, but something brought us together on this particular day and we just clicked. Our pace was the exact same and we learned more about each other and found out we had quite a bit in common. She is running in honor of her father who is a CLL survivor and I told her about my loved ones who I am running in memory of honor of.

Sometimes it is nice to just run with one other person and not in a group format. Sometimes you need the entire group to pump you along. Sometimes you just need to hit the pavement on your own. I never know how my longer runs will unfold and don't hold much expectation for them. I usually just let them happen. I supposed that is how running is supposed to be - you just let the run happen and your body and mood adjust as such.

The weather was chilly but the beauty of the morning was the clear blue sky that greeted us as the team met just before sunrise. How can a run on a day this gorgeous not be powerful?

Thanks to all of you who have supported my efforts. I think about each of you often.

Today';s run was one of those you wish you could bottle up and savor for weeks to come. The weather was brisk but the sun was shining down on me and my sinus infection which I have been fighting for a week now some how subsided for the 3 miles I pounded asphault.

I had so many reflections during my time alone out there. Mostly about those who so quickly responded to my plea for donations for this wonderful cause. I'm amazed at how lucky I am to know there are so many wonderful people in my circle of friends who are cheering me on.

And, I thank you for the comments on my home page. I'll reflect upon those thoughtout the season and will carry them with me across the finish line.

Sharing a couple of pics with you from this past seaon where I was a mentor. These are some of the wonderful folks I met and had a great time getting to know out there for miles upon miles at a time. A couple of them have been asked to come back and mentor for next season as well and I couldn't be happier about that.