Our Wild and Crazy Journey Begins...

Becky and I signed up for Team In Training (TNT) on Tuesday, July 29, 2008. I’d gotten a flyer in the mail. Sign up for a half-marathon or marathon, train with a local group and coaches, and raise a few thousand dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The events are in January 2009--one in Phoenix, AZ, and one at Disney in Orlando.

I’ve been running for several years now, and the farthest I’ve gone thus far is a 10k, about 6 miles. I’ve talked about going for higher distances, but can’t seem to get beyond my three mile routine. This sounded like a good way to motivate myself to train for a half-marathon, which I was sure I could do with the proper training. I decided to go to the meeting, and mentioned it to Becky, who agreed to go with me for moral support.

At the meeting, we heard many people speak. Everyone who spoke talked about what a life changing experience Team in Training had been for them. Several spoke about how they had never run a day in their life, and 6 months later ran a marathon, thanks to Team in Training’s inspiration and support. We also heard heart wrenching stories of people affected by blood cancers, from lives lost to those bravely fighting to live.

About an hour later, Becky and I gave our credit card numbers for the non-refundable deposit, signed on the dotted lines, and registered for the PF Chang Rock’n’Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 18, 2008. As you can see from the picture on the left, Becky and I are always doing crazy things together. To do this event, we would each need to raise $3,800. By the end of the meeting, I’d decided to go for the full marathon. Becky, always the wiser of the two of us, signed up for the half.

This past Saturday (8/2/08), I participated in my first group run with Team In Training. Everyone was really nice and supportive, and I ran five miles. Theresa, who gave me a ride to the Niskayuna bike path, where the run took place, was my inspiration for the day. After never running in her life, she began training in May 2008—three months ago—and ran EIGHT miles at the group run that day. Wow! The bike path is beautiful, and I’m looking forward to running there again.

And speaking of inspiration, our honored hero for this marathon is Will Armstrong, an adorable 4-year-old boy who is undergoing treatment for Leukemia. He is pictured below. You can learn more about Will at his caring bridge page: www.caringbridge.org/visit/williamarmstrong. We are running and raising for Will and many others who are bravely battling Leukemia and Lymphoma.