First post for 12 in 12 in 2012!

This is my very first blog post...EVER!  I've never tried this before but I believe this is a very good cause to do so. 

A neighbor suggested that I blog about my challenge to run 12 half marathons in 12 months in the year of 2012 while raising $12,000 to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training (TNT).  I plan to be as candid with you as possible and just keep everyone up to date with how I'm doing in regards to fundraising, training and life!

So, here goes!  As of today, I have helped raise $2,920 of my goal of $12,000 for LLS!!  I'm so excited to have done this much so far!  I've been amazed by everyone's generosity and support!  It has been a little difficult to reach out and ask people for money, but I have a few cheerleaders who keep helping me to go outside my comfort zone!  I'm sure that as time goes on, I'll call those folks out in order to thank them properly.

My reason for doing this challenge is two fold and started out selfishly.  I just wanted to be a consistent runner throughout 2012.  I have run 7 half marathons and 2 marathons, but unfortunately I burn out right after the event and I stop running.  I felt that I could do better and could push myself harder.  I am not a self proclaimed 'runner'.  I am not a gazelle.  I don't think I'm very good at running!  There are times that I most definitely dread running and there are times where I question why I keep going back to it!  I guess the answer is that I really enjoy that rare occasional moment where your body is in sync and a smile uncontrollably breaks out on your face!  

But while coming up with the reason to better myself personally, I realized that I could just help make the world better!  Cancer is something that touches us all. My Uncle Pat had been fighting Leukemia since 2007 and is thankfully in remission!!  But the thought of losing him is devastating, the thought of losing anyone is devastating.   I realized that TNT was the 'something' I could do to make the world a little better, maybe even make my family a little better.  I'm excited to help raise a little money to give people the chance at a little more time with their families. 

I hope that you will continue on this year long journey with me.  Even more so, I hope that you will take a little time and a little of your money to contribute to LLS!  The link is on the right side of this page!