As many of you know, I trained for and completed the Nike Women's Marathon in October 2008 through Team in Training (TNT). It was one of the best experiences of my life. The fundraising was hard, and it took me until the last second to get all the money in. The running was a physical and emotional roller coaster. But when it was all over, it was one of the happiest moments of my life (even if my finish line photos don't seem to express that!). Not only had I just finished running 26.2 miles, I had raised $4,200 to help fight blood cancers. It was a huge accomplishment in my life.
While I had sworn off running for several weeks after the race, I was hooked on TNT. I met so many wonderful people during my training, and heard so many inspiring stories. Almost everyone on my team was running in honor or memory of a personal friend or family member. Hearing their stories, and how the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's funding had helped them, kept me going. I ran because I could, and because I knew I could make a difference in the lives of those fighting blood cancers. And I didn't want to stop.
I was struggling with when I wanted to do my next TNT event. Afterall, it seems like just yesterday that my friends and family were supporting me emotionally and financially to get to that finish line. Was it too soon to start again? I just wasn't sure...and then I went to lunch with a friend. During lunch, my friend mentioned that she was going to mentor a TNT group for the Moab Century Tour, which is a 104 mile bike ride in Moab, Utah. This really peaked my interest. It was a different endurance event, and I love Moab and riding my bike. And I'd be doing it with a friend.
I still went back and forth for a couple of weeks on whether I wanted to do it or not. Was it too soon to start fundraising again? Could I raise the money? I didn't know. And then I was on Facebook doing the usual...looking at photos, reading updates, etc. As I was looking, I noticed a lot of comments on one of my high school friend's updates that said things like "We are praying for you", and "You are in our thoughts and prayers". So I went to her page to see what was going on. When I got there, I saw the news...in April her husband, John, was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma (click here to read John's story https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnharris/). That was my sign. So I went to the information meeting and signed up.
So here I am. Riding because I can. And because I know that no matter how hard it seems to pedal that bike for miles and miles, and up big hills, it can't even begin to compare to chemo. As John begins his fight against lymphoma, I will pedal my heart out for him and his family. He will be my inspiration when I think that my legs are going to fall off and I can't pedal anymore, or that I won't make it up that big hill.
I've started this blog to keep all my friends and family, and whoever else may be interested, updated on my training and fundraising progress. We have kickoff next week, and I'm guessing we'll find out our training schedule then.
You can also check out my fundraising progress and make donations at my official fundraising site http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/moabtour09/cwardbgtef. I have to raise $2,400 and every little bit helps! And for those of you in the Denver area, look forward to more fun fundraisers!
If you would like to learn more about TNT, check out their website: http://www.teamintraining.org/.
Cassie =)
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