Can't slow down

Life has a way of moving into fast forward and time slips by so quickly.  Seconds to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days - well, you get the idea.  Somehow I got caught up in the whirlwind that is my life and when I stopped moving for just a moment, I discovered that it's 6 weeks until Light the Night!  SIX WEEKS!

When I set my goal, I determined that I would have run 400 miles to make my goal of $2,000.  It didn't seem that outrageous a feat at the time. Thus far, I've run 45 sponsored miles and 67 unsponsored miles.  I've now got six weeks to run 288 miles!  That's 57 more 5 mile runs - 57 more $50.00 sponsors needed or

ONE REALLY BIG SPONSOR! 

You can't blame me for putting it out there!  I do have a half-marathon coming up on August 28.  There's still time to get a name printed on my running shirt!

The past few runs have been fun even if challenging.  Running Buddy and I tried running back to back days this past week and let me tell you, that just didn't go well. Our legs were tired from our efforts the day before and someone forgot to bring her rescue inhaler along.  Ok, I didn't really forget.  I've gotten kind of cocky lately with my inhaler and I left it at home.  A few months ago, I would need to use it somewhere around mile 3, but it'd been getting to be less and less of an issue, so I stopped bringing it along.

Monday was a warmer day, humid and we ran later in the day. I think the combination of the tired legs, the humidity and the allergens in the air made it harder for me overall. I'm embarrassed to share that our time was close to 13 min/miles.  My chest hurt and I couldn't do my deep calming breathing.  I hate that feeling.

Whine, whine, whine. 

I have to come back to the reason why I'm doing this. 

I'm running for my teammate who lost his daughter to leukemia in February and another who lost her son 3 years ago this month. 

I'm running for Kent who lost his mother two years ago to lymphoma.

I'm running for Mike, recently diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia.

I'm running for Cole, Charlotte, Noah, Heidi and Jon, who have all fought the battle and WON!

I'm a strong, healthy woman, blessed with a wonderful husband, great kids and even more amazing grandkids. 

I want it to stay that way

and so I run.

A little something about my first 5 mile run sponsor...

Almost feels like I'm kicking off a commercial! First, thank you, Vicki K. for being my first run sponsor!

I have to tell you somethings about Vicki. 

She got involved with LLS through her employer and her first event was a jello slide. (Way, way easier than running 5 miles)

She continues to support the mission of LLS and in particular Light the Night as a volunteer.  She has schlepped more hot dogs than a New York street vendor and now, along side her husband Greg, is part of the Balloonatics Crew.  (Way, way more fun than running 5 miles)

She has lobbied in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (Way, way scarier than running 5 miles)

She is the former president of the MN Chapter Board of Directors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society having been involved with the Society for almost 20 years. (Way, way - okay, I got nothing to compare with this kind of dedication and commitment)

She is my inspiration and my role model.

She is my baby sister.

Thanks Vicki for all you have done and all you continue to do! Love you!!!