See Awo Run...The SunTrust National Half-Marathon- March 29, 2008!
Huffing and Puffing to Save Lives...
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
Yes, it is true! I am training to participate in the SunTrust National Half-Marathon in Washington, DC on March 29, 2008 as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. I know you are probably surprised- I never considered myself a runner either. This will be my first half-marathon... and my first time running without the intent of escaping imminent danger :). As excited as I am at the exhilaration I know I will feel as I cross the finish line, I am 'slightly' petrified at the challenge that training presents, especially during the winter months. I am however motivated by the fact that in completing this endurance event, I would have contributed to making the search for a cure for blood cancers a reality.
All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this half-marathon in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
In the past year, I have had four friends lose loved ones to cancer. Patients with cancers, especially blood cancers and their families have to go through the physical and emotional pain of knowing that there is nothing anyone can do for them. But you and I can change that! We can partner with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their quest to find a cure. Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission. My goal amount was $1,500, but I'm now aiming for $1800! Additionally, all your donations are tax-deductible. I am more than happy to send you a receipt for tax purposes.
When I started training in late November, I never actually believed I could raise the funds or complete training for the race. However, last weekend (03/08), in the middle of a two hour run in 27 degree weather, all I could think about how GOOD it felt to overcome self-imposed limitations. The progress I have made has blown my mind and I couldn't have made it without the support and encouragement of everyone who's visited this page! In the course of training, I run two 5K races to qualify me for the National SunTrust marathon. On the weekend of 02/09/08, I run my first 5K . My finishing time was 34.12 minutes, which was not enough to qualfy me. A week after that, (02/16/08), I run another 5K and managed to shave 3 minutes off my total time, this time qualifying for the National marathon. So, it is OFFICIAL!!! I will definitely be running on March 29th in the National Marathon in approximately 2.5 weeks!!!
The financial support that I've received from everyone has been overwhelming! But I still need your help to reach my goal amount of $1,800. No amount is too little!!
My fundraising deadline is March 14th, giving me till the end of the week and half to come up with almost $600. I hope you will consider supporting me in my efforts as I:
TRAIN- for the longest 13.1 miles of my life
ENDURE- the joys of shinsplints, plantar fasciitis and ITB syndrome
ACHIEVE- a lifetime goal
MATTER- to those living with blood cancers
See you at mile 13.1 :)!
Awo
