2003

February 2003

Hello everyone. I hope Everyone had a safe and happy New Year. I am two weeks out from my first marathon. I won't lie, it hasn't been easy. I've run at 4:00 am to get it in before work, I've run in 8 inches of snow, I've run into 30 to 40 mph winds, It hasn't helped that it's been the coldest winter in years. Running at 4:30 am in 7 degree temps, you have to question your sanity. But people sponsored me, people believe in me, and people have sent me names of family and loved ones to run for. It's a lot to carry, but when I want to quit or slow down, that keeps me going. I know crossing that finish line in two weeks will be one of the highlights of my life. It'll mean that I can accomplish anything if I set my mind to it. It is a fitting tribute to friends lost.

      I haven't been so gung ho about the bone marrow drive this year. It is a lot of work from raising money, to getting people out to be typed. But a friend of mine came up to me. She heard a local lawyer speak about his experience when he was called as a donor. She wants me to let her know when the next drive is. So it needs to be done. I just hope that some of the other interested parties step up to the plate.

          They have contacted me about LTN 2003. The local walk. I guess I've been officailly assigned to a committee this year. They've put me on the entertainment committee. We'll see how that goes.

       TNT's new season has started, there were so many people at the informational meeting word must be getting around. It's a long way from when I started and attended meetings with only 6 people there. They had 12 sign ups. The events are the Nashville half, The San Diego Rock-n-Roll, The Alaska midnight run and Tahoe bike ride. They will still be taking sign-ups for a little while, until the training window closes. They had their fist run yesterday. Some went two, some went 6, I wishhed they could have gone all 16 with me. Getting lonely out there.

March 2003 Newsletter:

Hello everyone. Just want to update everyone on my marathon experience. We arrived in New Orleans February 14 at @4:00pm. local time. It was 75 degrees, while virginia was getting pelted with snow and ice. We spent the evening in the French Quarter. Got up and did a 2 mile "shakeout run". spent the rest of the day sight seeing. Some of my family showed up at @noon. Later that evening we had the pre-race pasta party. Several speakers including a seven year old boy with Leukemia. I must say it took a great amount of courage for him to stand in front of 545 participants, thier families, coaches and friends and give us a motivational speech. When he was done there wasn't a dry eye in the house and he received a standing ovation. We awoke at 5:00 am to walk to the start at the superdome. At 7:00, we were still waiting for the start. We finally went off at 7:30 and 3:58 later I crossed the finished line 26.2 miles later. I can't explain all the emotions you go through during a marathon. Even more so because of what it meant to me. I'll just say it was long and hard. When things got rough I just told myself "You could quit if you want to. Nobody would think any worse of you. But after all the work you put in, and all the people fighting this disease who can't just walk away because they're tired, or their in pain." these thoughts got me through. We spent the evening dancing and celebrating. All in all it was a great experience. I met some great people from all over the country, and we raised over 1.7 million dollars for The Society , and we all accomplished a great feat. I've kept running and plan on Marine corps in D.C. in October, and the inaugural Pheonix Marathon in January. 3 in one year. Keep your fingers crossed for me for injury free running and successful fundraising. It is coming up on the year anniversary of my friend Jennifer's death. If you could and you read this, please remember on 5/19 to say a little prayer for her and the people she left behind. Sometimes when I'm alone on the trail doing a long run, the only sound are my footfalls and the steady rythym of my breathing, I think I feel her along with me. Till next month.....