Test # 1

Tonight's practice was a test- a 5K run at race pace, to determine a baseline to mark our progress throughout the season.  The race pace can also be used to estimate overall finish times for longer distances like half and full marathons.  I was hoping to be able to run a bit faster than in Saturday's 4 mile race, seeing as we knocked 0.9 miles off the distance tonight, and surprised myself again with 9 minute miles!  Now we have 6 weeks of hill training (argh!) to complete before test # 2.

The recommitment deadline for the Nike Women's Marathon is fast approaching.  This is where TNT participants have the chance to assess their fundraising and training progress and decide whether to recommit to the program for the rest of the season.   This afternoon we received a 'mission moment' from our race coordinator that I'm sure inspired all of us to keep at it, and I wanted to share with you...

For those hot days when you ask yourself- why  am I doing this?

 “At 7 am this morning (July 20, 2010), our 5 yr old grandson Mikey went to heaven very peacefully with his Mom and Dad at his side. Mikey’s spirit and joy for family and his "friends" was infectious. It is almost impossible not to feel his enthusiasm, quick and hilarious wit and joy for everyday things.”- Mikey’s grandmother

Michael was battling a rare form of leukemia-(Acute Myelogenous Leukemia-AML) for the past year. He was waiting for a bone marrow transplant, but he wasn’t able to fight any longer.  He was diagnosed at age 3, remained in remission after a year of treatments, and lived a relatively normal life up until about 4 months ago.

This is why you are getting up early on weekends and are sweating through this very hot summer to train for your event. Every dollar that you raise is so important. No family should have to watch a child suffer and lose their battle with Leukemia or any other blood cancer.

It's stories like this that keep us on track through early starts, long runs and heat waves- these are nothing compared to what patients and their families go through every day.  Thank you all again for your support and donations- together we really can make a difference!