It's getting hot!

People always told me the temperatures seem unbearable here in late July - August, but I figured- "how bad could it be?" I still think they are bearable...if you're inside in air conditioning! It is getting so difficult to run in this heat and humidity, and yet we're getting it done.

Also, I'm really motivated because I just formally submitted that I'm running in honor of my father, who passed away in 2001. I'm looking for a picture of him, but it was unfortuantely before I had a digital camera (rats). Anyway, after my father had cancer (lung the first time) and heart disease, we used to take long--or what I then thought was long!--walks together. I remember them fondly and hope he's proud of the fact that I'm now running a MARATHON to find cures for people suffering with cancer.

I don't know what else to say; it's hard to get my thoughts in order at 5:30 in the morning. I'm bringing my camera today and taking some pics of teammates, and of me, which I'll post later.

Farah Fawcett

I've been thinking a lot about Farah Fawcett and her battle with cancer, which she lost about two weeks ago. I watched the documentary she made - and later had her friend help her make- about her battle with anal cancer that spread obstinately to her kidneys. (http://www.nbc.com/farrahs-story/video/episodes/#vid=1105074)

Because Michael Jackson passed on the same day Farah did, we heard very little about her ultimate "defeat" or, in her case, the lack thereof. That woman always had a smile on her face and a strong faith in God. Yet she also had a strong faith in herself, and in medical science, being able to beat this ravaging disease.

Today, as I prepare to run 14 MILES, I think of Farah, how much she wanted to believe in a cure, to believe that she would still be around to truly experience the beauties of life. I'm running for her, for the many people like her who pray every day that cancer, in all of its forms, might finally become less of a death sentence.

halfway through with the running...

So, we're doing another 12 miler today, which seems more intimidating now that I know what I'm in for. I worked on the conditioning this week, so hopefully it won't kick my butt quite as much.

I'm having a bit of trouble with the fundraising (thanks to those of you who gave!). The amount is really really big and intimidating, especially since my entire family is in Hungary. But I have some ideas: a pancake breakfast at church, "admission" to our housewarming party...and I'm contacting some corporations this week. Hopefully I can do it!

Well, off to run. Oh, and here's my first (and hopefully not only) running pic:

12 miles and sore!

We ran our 12 miles with the team yesterday. Running on a Saturday was both nice (I get to relax this morning) and difficult (there is much more traffic in Charleston on Saturdays). It felt okay, but I'm definitely sore and need more conditioning exercises. My other problem is that I had an ear infection and was on antibiotics, which made me a) really thirsty, and b) really sensitive to the sun. So 2 hours running in the sun was just what I needed :)!
I met some cool people running as well. Joe and Charlotte are married and have three kids, and they're about my age. I always find that strange, that people my age are real "adults." I also ran with Colleen, who trains two hours away with her mother and drives down to Charleston for our long runs. Her father recently passed, and she's running the race in his honor.
Speaking of which, I thought I'd research some Leukemia/Lymphoma facts and post them on my blog. Here's something I didn't know: the difference between leukemia and lymphoma:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060613143804AA0HELb.
Well, I have to unpack some stuff now and hope my soreness isn't too debilitating (we just moved into a new house as well). Keep my team in your prayers, and I'll write soon.