Training for the Country Music 2012 marathon is going great! I’ve had the chance to run with several of my Team in Training comrades the past few weeks. You might ask: What does marathon training look like? Well, here’s my schedule for next week:

M- 8 miles, easy pace

Tu- 6 miles, speed work on the track (not sprints, but fast)

W- 6 miles, easy pace

Th-10 miles, easy pace

F-4 miles, easy pace

Sa- 16 miles, easy pace

Su-10 Miles, easy pace

After three years of running, this will be my first 60 mile week ever. Crazy.

I had an incredible run through my neighborhood the other night. It was calm and cool outside. This time I was running by myself, which doesn't happen often now that over 20,000 people are training for either the half or the full Marathon in Nashville this spring. Since I was by myself this time, I went on an unconventional route through some serious hills down streets I had never explored before. The sense of freedom is incredible when you set out on a run like that. I averaged around 8:00 minutes a mile for an 8 mile run. Needless to say, I was feeling good that night.

Then sometimes, it hits me hard. We are not in control. You may do everything to stay healthy, watching what you eat and exercising, but one day, you have something that keeps you from doing what you love. You may not even be able to eat or sleep it’s so painful. Soon enough, you get medication, sleep, and recover. It was just a cold or the flu.

This healing process is not so quick with someone with Leukemia. An estimated 957,902 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Funds donated to the cause help patients and their families financially and help them find support groups in their area. It also helps fund research to cure blood cancers. See for yourself here: http://www.lls.org/#/aboutlls/financialinformation/

Thanks for your help.

Daniel

So I decided to run another marathon (are you honestly surprised?)! Last year I raised enough money to build a well in Africa by running the Rocket City Marathon in Hunstville, Alabama thanks to people like you. The well has been funded and we'll hear more sometime in June 2012 about where it was built and the people it will provide clean water.

This year, I'm running the Country Music Full (3rd time's a charm). I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program, and I'm asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign. My goal is to raise $2000. Honestly, I've thought about this for a good while. My friends Emily and Mark raised money through this fantastic organization while training for their 1st full Marathon. I found out in September my boss' son, Josh Benz, had been diagnosed with Leukemia. He faced it boldly with the support of his Mom, Dad, and little brother Lucas. He lost that battle shortly after being diagnosed and passed away. I'm running this in memory of him and all the others who have battled Leukemia or Lymphoma. LLS will take the funds and put it towards research to treat, cure, and assist the families of those affected by the disease.

Please use the link in this email to give as much as your heart feels or your checking account allows. I'll also be able to update you with my progress on this site.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/tn/cmc12/dhudgin7gl

Each donation goes to support families affected by L&L and also helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.