Here’s where you come in.

So, I figure it’s been a long, long time since I tried to sell you Girlscout cookies or otherwise hit you up for cash. And if you let too much time go by on something like that, people get out of practice. So here I am, asking for money.

In exchange, you get the following things:

1. I will keep you up to date on my training progress in a manner laden with wittiness and self-deprecation. I know, I know, that’s reason enough, but I have more.

2. Your donation is tax deductible. Total rock and roll.

3. Doing this one good deed wipes out a multitude of sins. Even more (several multitudes?) if you email me a list of those sins. Just a suggestion.

4. You can hold it over my head for years whenever you want something. The effectiveness of this remains to be seen, but it never hurts to have more tools in the ol’ belt, right?

5. Training for a marathon is good, clean fun, with little opportunity for mischief. You can keep me out of trouble. You know, on the right side of the law. (Bail money is not tax deductible.)

6. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.leukemia-lymphoma.org) is really is a good cause. They had cancer survivors and folks still in treatment talk to us at the first meeting, and it was clear that this organization makes a big difference out there.

That’s what I’ve got so far. More reasons to come. And amusing anecdotes and quite likely some complaining about how unpleasant exercise can be. So, bookmark this page and check back on me. And let me know if you have any suggestions about how to raise more money.

Oh, by the way, the race is the Marine Corps Marathon (www.marinemarathon.com) on October 29. For those of you who aren't impressed by marines, I am also running the Army Ten Miler (www.armytenmiler.com) for the second year in a row. Hooah.

Thanks,

--Daphne