Each TNT participant, goes to an event in honor or in memory of loved ones and or friends. Who I honor is of course in memory of my Grandfather Andrew Rabiansky. But I am also running in celebration of two of my friends and in two of my friend's daughters. I will never stop trying to find a way to cure cancer becuase sometimes there are much bigger things than ourselves and grow as compassionate human beings. -BECAUSE THIS IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN ME!

There will always be their names and even pictures on my jersey. But every year the list of people that I know who have been stricken by the disease seems to grow and this is when we have to make a stand and do something to stop this deadly disease.

My grandfather was a very compassionate person who cared so much about others and would give you anything he had for a family member or friend. He loved to laugh (even loved to immitate Donald Duck) but most of all he loved spending time with family. The way this disease took his life was not pretty and no one should have to go through with that!! Even with those who do survive, they never know if the disease will come back or not. My mission (even though small) is to raise $3000 for LLS

The pink Flower stand for this:

Gratitude.

To Endure

To Unite and Connect

To Admire, to Love

To honor a hero, and to be a hero!!!!

My Grandfather was my HERO and so are the many kids and friends who fight cancer every day!! There needs to be a cure! Becuase I personally am sick of hearing more family and friends being diagnosed with cancer. LLS has helped bring new chemos to many cancers.

So, I ask you to help support me in this fight.

It isn't about any 1 cancer. It's about them all.

Why do I run? This year's run is very special to me because I love to run but never to this distance. I am doing this for a very special person in my life, my grandfather. I loved him dearly and he was such a hard working man and loved every moment spending time with his family. He always made us smile with his "goofy" impersonations. I miss him alot and this year I run and train in his honor and to help raise funds for Leukema and Lyphoma (the disease which killed him). Nothing gives me more passion that enjoying a run and accomplishing BIG goals, but this time its about being able to do something for others and hoping to help patients currently diagnosed with the disease or helping to find a cure.

In Loving Memory of my Grandfather, Andrew Rabiansky

On the cuspid of a 10 mile run on Saturday, I thought this was appropriate!!! Thanks to all have donated thus far!!!

So today was a good run even though I had to run twice in the rain. Did I mention it has been raining for 20 days straight! However, sometimes to succeed there must be some challenges along the way.

While I was running I remembered about a friend of mine and her daughter. She has struggled all her teenage life, first with breast cancer and health issued related to it. Late last year she decided she was strong enough to do something she has always wanted to do but could not-RUN. She really never ran more than a mile or two around her block. But she was not wanting to do a 5K, she wanted to do a Marathon. She wanted to prove to herself that not only did she kick cancer but she wanted to prove she was healthy and strong!! However 2 months into training she tripped and broke her leg. Today she is stil trying to mend. At the time it happened, she was very depressed and felt like giving up (sometimes we all feel like this when we run). However, she is very strong and hopefully soon she will be back to fullfilling her dreams. But this proves a point, there are some out there who would love to run but maybe lost a limb, or battling disease and are too weak. So for me there is not excuse when things get hard because someone every day is fighting for their lives or can not run but would like to or dreams of it!! To me a bad day of running is much better because I can at least say I am healthy enough to run and I can do it!!! Thanks to God and my supportive Friends and Family!!

So today I know was going to be a challenge w/the heat and humidity (the only saving grace was that the weather was overcast and did drizzle on us just for a few moments). I was not sure that I was going to make it to 8 mlles. The first five miles was just getting into the grove but there was that one mile stretch of hills. By the end of the 5 miles, I was already wet from sweat (and I really do not like sweating this much). As we departed for the 3 mile loop (those doing the marathon), I was not feeling the greatest. So I started running with Denna and we started up a conversation and the first 1.5 was fine but then when we turned the corner for the last 1.5, I really wanted to stop. But she had a good even clip and she told me somethign she saw that kept her going on her first marathon-She saw a shirt with Dory from Finding Nemo and it said JUST KEEP RUNNING!! So with her talking me through it and the words just keep Running...We made it all the way to the end both me and her and about 5 hills. I was very happy and I was determined to beat the heat and humidity and complete the milage. Sometimes I am weak when it is hot and humid -NOT THIS TIME!!! I am stronger than I thought it just took a good friend to TALK me through it!! Thanks Dena