The Big Picture...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1-2

Hey Everyone! Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

Tuesday, November 3 - COME JOIN US! Liane and i are going to be at O'Roarke Elementary School (8455 O'Hare Road 89143) on FRIDAY from 5-8 pm, selling a TON of really great things, with all the proceeds going straight to LLS! We have t-shirts (including the famous "Athletic Supporter" shirts for ONLY $25!), beanie bears, water bottles, cool motivational art pieces designed by us, bracelets, and MUCH MORE! We would LOVE to see you there, and we would LOVE to see our fundraising numbers increase! This marathon is only TWO MONTHS AWAY! Our mileage is increasing every week (last Saturday was 12 miles!!)! THANKS for all your support!

Saturday, October 10 - Liane and I just finished our longest run yet! Liane's pedometer had us clocked in at just over 9 miles! The weather was beautiful and we feel great afterward. This week has been hard because Liane was sick with a respiratory infection, but she has persevered and we still did the run (although a bit slower than we had wanted to go). Each little setback, while before would have sidelined us, only challenges us to do even better. It's nothing compared to what people dealing with cancer have to go through, and we are thankful for our healthy bodies that can endure!

Friday, October 2 - Today is JUSTIN's 11th birthday. Justin is battling Leukemia and is one of the people in whose honor I am running this marathon. He is spending this birthday in Summerlin Hospital getting platelets, transfusions and MRIs, instead of doing what kids his age should be doing on their birthdays... running around with friends, eating too much cake, and staying up late. In honor of Justin's birthday, stop by his CaringBridge Page and wish him well - and please consider donating. How about $11 for his eleventh birthday? How about donating your own age? I am going to donate my age today, in honor of Justin and his fight against Leukemia. Won't you join me?

BE AN ATHLETIC SUPPORTER!

THIS JUST IN! Get a T-shirt that says "Athletic Supporter" with your donation of $100 or more! Help us reach our goal!

Wednesday, September 23 - The runs are getting easier now. Liane and I have been training during the week on the treadmills at her apartment complex, and I have noticed that I have been consistently upping my MPH during the walking (staying steady around 3.5) and going up to 5.5 MPH on the runs. This is a huge improvement over the beginning where I couldn't go over 3.0 or 5.0! This Saturday is another long run. I am actually looking forward to it!

Sunday, September 20 - Thanks to EVERYONE that came out to our garage sale in support of our cause! We raised over $450 for each of us!

Saturday, September 19 - OUR LONGEST RUN YET!! 5.3 miles! YEAH!

September 14, 2009 - I am humbled an honored by the number of emails I have received in support of my event, and even more stoked to see donations coming in! You guys are amazing! Today I got to run with my new shoes and I LOVE them! Liane and I did 3.2 miles in an hour this evening and it felt great. I also got to talk to a couple of former Team in Training runners who really encouraged me in setting this huge goal. THANKS Matt and Kristy!

September 10, 2009 - I got my new shoes from James at The Athlete's Foot! He worked with me one-on-one for an hour ensuring the perfect fit. They are Brooks and very cool. I love the way they feel! THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has already begun to donate! I am honored you are willing to help out.

As of September 8, 2009 my longest run/walk has been 3 miles. It's a start! On September 10th I will get fitted for my first pair of REAL running shoes!

My Story...

I know this might seem crazy to those of you who know me and my ability to run around the block, let alone miles at a time... but I am not one to shy away from a challenge!

I'm training with my sister Liane Medley to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. What endurance event, you might ask? Well, it's the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2010!

All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. In the process, we also learn how to set goals, pace ourselves, and endure through the challenges of pushing our bodies to the limits... because no matter how much it might hurt me to run miles and miles, it is nothing compared to what people battling cancer endure with their treatments.

I am completing this event in honor of our friend Justin Burkhardt and all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team. Reading what Justin has had to go through already at age 11 and what he still has ahead has made me reevaluate my priorities... I know that through the support of friends and family who believe in me to actually complete a race of this magnitude, I can do it. And it is with your support the LLS can cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often, as I will work on keeping it updated with both my training and fundraising progress.

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress, and share this link with anyone who might be able to help! Thanks for your support!