Signed up and ready to run!

Yesterday (November 14, 2009) I stepped into a room that would not only change my life but hopefully the lives of millions battling cancer! At 10am I walked into my first TEAM in Training meeting in Arlington, VA to learn about what it is going to take to train for a half-marathon and to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am excited to say that for the next 5 months I will be training for the 2010 Country Music Marathon in Nashville, TN.

The most important piece of my journey is my goal to raise $3500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by April 1, 2010. To run in Nashville, I need to raise $3000 but I would like to shoot for at least $3500. Although I have not lost a loved one to Leukemia, I have lost a Grandmother to brain cancer. I was never given the chance to see all of her amazing qualities, but I have seen first hand the pain my mom and her 4 sisters have gone through in their loss. On April 24, 2010 I will run not only for the pain my Mom and aunts have felt, but for the pain of all those who have lost a loved one to cancer.

Through this blog I hope to share my ups and my downs, my blisters and spandex stories, and about all of the amazing donations being made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Training kicks off December 5, 2009-- that means three more weeks.

During those three weeks I have some awesome things going on... This Friday I am heading off to Iowa with my boyfriend Neal to attend the last University of Iowa football game. It'll be great to see his family and to visit Iowa for the first time! For Thanksgiving, my sister will be coming into town from Texas. We're looking forward to our yearly traditions; including arts and crafts, Thanksgiving Day movies, and Black Friday shopping! Although I have a really big exam in Hebrew Bible the Monday after Thanksgiving, finishing it will brings me just a few days from Neal's and my trip to NYC! Neal has never been to NYC and I am overjoyed to visiting during the holiday season.

These three weeks will fly by and I hope to begin to spread the word on the journey I'm about to embark on! Please keep me in your prayers and stay tuned for updates!!

Ashley