It's not that you have the courage to finish the race; it's that you have the courage to start. ~ unknown
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, The Leukemia Lymphoma Society Team in Training held our big kickoff meeting at the 5 Seasons Brewery in Atlanta. It was an awsome meeting with TNT staff, coaches, alumni, mentors, new recruits and Our Honored Hero, Jessica ~ a three time survivor of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, which is what Fred fought so hard to conquer. We are all members of the Fall Training Season for one or several endurance events: Rock n' Roll Savannah Marathon & Half Marathon; Nike Women's Marathon~ A Race to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, San Francisco in October and The Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October. There were purple shirts everywhere and soon I will be wearing one also! My first impression was, "look at all the young people here giving up their valuable free time to train for their endurance events". They could have easily registered to do their events on their own just paying a registration fee, but by choosing to train with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Team in Training they also commit to raising a designated amount of money for the LLS.I would be the first to admit that I am not an athlete and never have been. For me to commit to doing a half marathon (13 miles), even walking it, is way out of my comfort zone. The members of my "team" ~ North Fulton/Forsyth ~ were so encouraging. "You will do it." "It is fun." "We'll be with you all the way and at the finish line." All reassuring to me, a 65 yr old grandmother of three, who's only experience with walking is the daily walk my little Jack Russell Terrier, Spencer, and I take once or twice a day. When I think of how Leukemia patients are out of their comfort zone every single day being poked and prodded, filled with deadly chemo, enduring spinal taps and bone marrow biopsies. I WANT to do this. Even if I limp over the finish line last....I WILL FINISH!
If you think walking a 5K, 10K or any event just requires showing up (yes, that's what I thought!) and doing the event, then by all means follow my blog! I was so surprised to learn there actually is a "training schedule" to follow day by day, nutrition to adhere to, fitness and skills clinics, shoe clinics to keep your feet happy and healthy, clothing and equipment expectations and meetings with professional coaches. We will all learn together.
You are already part of my Team just by being here. I hope you will subscribe to my blog posts and follow me on my journey to Savannah. Leave me comments and encourage me when you think I am falling behind. It is sure to be "Anne's Wild Ride" with twists and turns, ups and downs, tears and joy but most of all dedication to raise funds for research and patient services.
Thank you for starting this journey with me; for your love and support and for donations you have pledged on my behalf. My fundraising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/rnrsav12/asmithvint
GO TEAM! ~_~ Anne
