Running Down a Dream

With the race now only 2 weeks away, training has started to calm down quite a bit. Last week was the longest run we'll do before race day; 12 long miles! After that we start what's called "tapering" by running progressively less and less to allow our muscles to recover and give less chance for injury so close to race day. This morning we ran 7 miles in the wind and rain but next Saturday we're down to 4, then the next Saturday it's only 1 because the next day is the half marathon!! It's hard to believe it's here already, yet it seems like it's been a long time coming. 

With so many generous donations from awesome people and the funds raised from our 2ND Annual Run Like Hale 10K this past July, we are just $165 away from reaching our goal of $5,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. How awesome is that?!? If you haven't donated yet, there is still time! Help us reach our goal before the Freep! If you've already donated, thank you again! We really appreciate your support. 

Financial gifts are always appreciated, but I wanted to take a moment to recognize those that have supported us in another, equally as important way. These are the people that have taken time out of their busy lives to spend the night at our home Friday nights so they could be there to care for our 4 children when we left for our group long runs bright and early Saturday mornings. These are the people that come over the afternoon before the race and stay overnight with our children all during the race day as well. Without them, we could have never been able to train together (which is so very important!), or have been able to train so well, or be able to run in the race at all. My mom, Debbie Kerr; Wayne's mom, Carol Wheatley; my step-mom, Susan Mann; and my sister & brother-in-law, Shawna & Jason Bradley, have all been those people. To them we extend our sincere gratitude for their unending and uplifting support, and their tireless love of our tireless children. Wayne and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Race day is just 2 short weeks away. 14 days until I run in my very first half marathon; how crazy is that! An asthmatic with crappy knees who hated to run is lacing up to go 13.1 miles before the sun comes up with a bunch of other crazy folks. That's what the inspiration of knowing you can make a difference can do. Thank you to all who have helped us on this journey, financially or otherwise. We are so blessed by you all and give you a hearty "GO TEAM!"!