Running for Team in Training

Team in Training is the world's largest endurance sports program. It's primary objective is to train individuals to compete in endurance sport events to raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Participants can compete in 5ks, half marathons, marathons, cycling events, tri-athalons and century hikes. Participants pledge to raise a specified level of funds in honor of a hero who is currently fighting or lost their fight to cancer.

When I started running for this group, I was fortunate enough to not know anyone suffering from a blood cancer. My grandfather and step-grandfather both died of cancer. I know the devastation cancer causes to both the individual and family.

A recent move across country left me looking for a running group. I had witness the 'purple invasion' of screaming fans and purple running shirts. A flyer that I received in the mail about Team in Training peaked my curiosity. An added perk was that they happened to be training for two marathons on my top 10 list, the Disney Marathon and Nike Women's Marathon.

I went to the meeting heard all their stories of hopes, loss and cures but I walked out without signing up. The fundraising seemed monumental, they wanted a $100 donation to sign up, I was not comforable with some of my costs covered by the group and it just was all a little too different from the running groups I had been a part of. But that night something changed....

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When I arrived home something happened that changed my mind. I returned home to our normal chaos. The stories from that particular night just would not leave me. As I stood in the bathroom brushing my teeth and thinking about the events from that evening, my youngest ran in screaming. As a natural reaction, I picked him up and sat down on the bathroom floor rocking him knowing it would pass in a moment. That is when a flash ran through me. I saw in this parallel world another mom, worlds away, sitting on her floor with her sick child, not knowing when his pain would end and he would feel better. It was at that moment I knew that she had enough going on.

I love to run, I would do it anyway, and if I could help raise funds doing something I loved and help someone else, I would.

Maybe endurance sports are not for you but you would like to help out. I am currently training to run the Disney Goofy Challenge in January 2013. My goal is to raise $5,000 and help find a cure for blood cancers! Click on this link Jennie's Team in Training Fundraising Site to make a donation.

I have trained and run in sleeting rain, 10 degree weather, snow and heat to bring awareness to this amazing cause. The picture in this section is me after running the Disney Half Marathon in 27 degree weather and sleeting rain.I have fundraised for both a half marathon and a 5k with this amazing group and now I am going for my fifth event for this cause! Even a $5 donation will go a long way! If you have someone you want to honor, give me their name and I will ad them to my jersey on race day.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY TODAY!

This video captures the reasons I am so passionate about this cause.

Born to Run is written by Christopher McDougall and chronicles his journey to run with the Tarahumara Indian tribe.

Do you think endurance sports are a good way to raise funds for a charity?

Do you use any of your skills or hobbies to raise funds for a charity?