Racing to Save Lives

I'M RUNNING A MARATHON!!!!

While crazy, the above statment is totally true. I, Naomi Wolf, am running in the New Jersey Marathon on May 3, 2009.

Why?

Well, for starters, I thought it would be a great challenge and a fun way to get myself in shape.

But more importantly, I'm training and running through a program called Team In Training, where I will also be fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

This society is incredibly important to me for 2 reasons: my mom, who was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and is currently in remission, and my dear friend Elissa Froman, who is currently battling Hodgkins lymphoma. It is in honor of them that I am running this race.

As members of TNT, we are all raising money to help find a cure for leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma research, and patient assistance programs. This year alone, approximately 110,960 Americans will be diagnosed with one of these diseases, and more than 55,100 will lose their lives. This is where Team in Training comes into the picture. As the world's largest endurance sports training program, it has done its part in trying to find a cure for cancer by bringing over 380,000 volunteers together and raising more than $900 million since its creation in 1988.

So please make a donation to help me reach my goal of $2,600 to help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress.

Thanks for your support!

UPDATE #1 (12/6/08): It's been 3 weeks since training started, and today I ran 5.4 miles! That is officially the longest distance I've ever run. And, despite the tendonitis in my knee , it was surprisingly not that difficult. Only 20.8 miles to go!

UPDATE #2 (12/20/08): Today I ran 5.5 miles in the slush and snow. Luckily it wasn't still snowing while we were out for practice at 8:30 am, so only my feet got wet. I'm beginning to think I picked the wrong season to start training. On the plus side, Central Park is beautiful when it's all white and snow-covered.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far!!!

UPDATE #3 (1/11/09): Yesterday I ran in my very first race! A nice 5 mile run with a couple thousand other people - it was so much fun! And I did much better than I expected. I felt really good the whole race and definitely fed off the energy of all the other runners out there. That definitely got me even more excited about my marathon.

UPDATE #4 (2/12/09): I've officially survived my first (and hopefully last) injury this training season. Apparently I was inches away from a stress fracture in my right foot but, luckily, I caught it in time. After a few weeks of rest I was back out there this past Saturday - 8.6 miles! My goal for this week is to hit the 10 mile mark. Luckily this nice weather is making it all a bit easier.

UPDATE #5 (3/2/09): Two weeks ago, we ran over the GW bridge. one of the most beautiful runs i've ever done. and by far the longest - 14.5 miles! to push myself even further, this past saturday i ran a whopping 15.5 miles around brooklyn - from my apartment down to the bottom of brooklyn, from manhattan beach to sea gate and back. it was quite a tour. only 2 more months til the marathon!!!!!!!!

i'd also like to add that there is now a 3rd person i'm running in honor of - Rachel Rothman. At 11 years old, Rachel, a family friend, was recently diagnosed with Hodkins lymphoma. i will be thinking of her, along with my other honorees as i continue to train and run my marathon.

UPDATE #6 (4/6/09): ONE MONTH TIL THE MARATHON!

this past saturday i reached the peak of my training - i ran 20 miles! i found a great route, from brooklyn to manhattan and back, via the brooklyn & manhattan bridges. it was a beautiful run, and there was lots to distract me during that long, long run. but i did it! i can't believe it. now i start tapering off my training to save up some energy for the big day.