26 point 2

I tell you what, this year has felt like a marathon. More specifically,it's felt like the final 1/2 mile in a marathon. The part of the race where you feel like you're too close to give up but too far to feel inspired and driven. The feeling of lead in your shoes and a couch on your back and the thought that shortly, you'll have reached the finish line and a great sense of accomplishment will begin to replace the tiredness in your body.

Not being one for metaphors (was that even one?) on Friday I turned it into a reality. Meaning that in October, I will be running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. Not only did I register for the marathon, but I also registered for The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training^®--the world's largest endurance sports training program. TNT provides training to, among other things, run marathons. They also raise money to find a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma.

As many of you know, Rob and I have a close friend that was diagnosed with a rare form of non-hodgkins lymphoma earlier this year. Through her, I witnessed the miracle of modern medicine and am happy to say that today, six months later, she is in remission. Sadly, we have two very close friends each of whom has a brother who was diagnosed with cancer. One is currently putting up one hell of a fight and we are hoping for his recovery. The other passed away a week ago and we attended his funeral over the weekend.

I hope my participation in this Team In Training and my fundraising might make a small difference in the lives of people who are battling cancer and in the lives of the people who care for and love them. I hope I have even half the strength of these three people while I am running that race.

If you would like to support me in my endeavor, you can do so here:

Kari's TNT Page

If you want me to run in honor of your friend or loved one, I would be happy to.

And, of course, if you want to go on a run with me in the next couple of months, by all means send me an email!