Hi all, and welcome to my Team In Training home page!

As most of you know, in June 2010 I ran my first marathon with Team in Training out in San Diego. I have officially lost my mind and decided to go for another, so now I'm training for the January 2011 Phoenix marathon! This time around I'm a Mentor, guiding the newbies through the process. What idiots thought I was qualified to do that, I couldn't tell you, but I am so grateful to be part of TNT to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society again.

The reason I got involved with TNT was for my beloved Grandpa, Dan Dick. Grandpa is my favorite person in the universe - my hero, my mentor, my kindred spirit. When he got diagnosed with AML (acute myeloblastic leukemia) in January of 2010, they wouldn't let me give him my bone marrow or my organs, so I decided to run a marathon for him. He was the wind at my back through every hill repeat, my guiding light during every long run, and my unyielding motivation throughout all 26.2 miles on race day. Every step of every workout was for him. He was so proud of me for finishing that race. I am so proud to be his granddaughter.

In July, Grandpa's health declined and on July 26th, Grandpa passed away, surrounded by so many of us who loved him. An hour after he passed, my Grandma told me he wanted me to be one of his pallbearers. That will remain the single greatest honor of my life. To say I'm devastated by losing him doesn't begin to explain it. I am heartbroken, struggling to live in a world where he's not physically present. Running this marathon helps me to continue his fight, to keep him alive in me. I would've done anything for him, so I will run.

All of us runners at TNT are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from affecting more lives, and I would love for you to be a part of it. Please make a donation to support my Grandpa, support me, and help advance LLS's mission. The number one reason people don't donate is because they aren't asked - please forward to friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, and whoever, and don't forget to ask your employer about matching gifts.

If you're reading this and you're thinking "I don't really know Rachel that well, is it weird if I donate? Is she gonna think I'm stalking her?", please know that I would be proud to run with your support, regardless of your connection to Grandpa or me, even if that connection is several degrees removed. One of the most beautiful qualities about Grandpa was that he always wanted everyone to be included, and I try to live my life the same way.

You can follow along on my Phoenix journey at http://milesforgrandpa.blogspot.com/

I sincerely thank you for visiting my page and donating to this cause. Your support means the world to me, so thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

Rachel xoxo

My Personal Honorees:

• Dan Dick - my mentor, my hero, my soulmate, and my inspiration. I miss you every minute of every day, and I will live my life to make you proud
• Judy Masterman - my amazing stepgrandmother who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2003. I think about you every day and I miss you terribly
• Florence Evelyn Lynch - Nana's sister who lost her battle with lung cancer in 1998
• Jeff Beatty - my law professor who lost his battle with Leukemia in December of 2009. Incredibly inspirational, I am a better person for having learned from him
• Grace Rivera Ruiz - my Costa Rican host mother who lost her battle with colon cancer
• Kevin Clark - Amanda's uncle who lost his battle with brain cancer in April 2010
• Erin Shroyer - SURVIVOR and general ass kicker of thyroid cancer
• Andrea Paladino - John's mom who lost her battle with breast cancer in October 2000
• MaryAnn Parsons - "Gram" to the Parson/Spiess/Brown/Bussey/Hawley family who lost her cancer battle in early 2010
• Bill Sharpe - Jason's dad who lost his battle with cancer in 1996. Raised one hell of a son
• Ron Reich - Amanda's dad, SURVIVOR and ass kicker of throat cancer
• Elvira Gelorma Parisi - Travis's grandmother who lost her battle with AML in 2004
• Rod Culkin - Chrissy's "Pop Pop" who lost his battle with oral cancer in 2008
• Grandma and Grandpa Jia - Jess's grandparents who lost their battles with stomach and throat cancer