All this time, our blogs have been focusing on ourselves as we prepare for our race in Lake Placid in July 2008. We have written about who we are, why we are doing this webumentary and many of the important milestones that we have accomplished along the way. During some of our long runs and bike rides, Chris and I have had a chance to reflect and we have recounted some of the more amazing things that have happened to us. It truly has given us a sense of pride and a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.
But, in those same conversations, we are quick to point out that there are others in our community doing just as remarkable things in their own right. I am so fortunate to be affiliated with such a group and I want to share their story. They are all my heroes for what they have done and will be doing in the month of June. Let me tell you about this team.
As I have mentioned, I have been fortunate to be a marathon and half marathon coach this season for the Team In Training group out of Yorba Linda. My team of runners and walkers started their journey 17 weeks ago in February. They came to Team In Training with all different backgrounds and all different shapes and sizes. They came to do the training necessary to cross the finish line of a marathon or a half marathon scheduled in June.
Most of our team had never done anything physically like this before. Most thought only elite athletes or crazy people ever did a race this long. But, lucky for TNT, they decided to take a chance and do something their family and friends thought impossible. Besides the miles and miles of training, they would also be asked to fundraise for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The funds they would raise would go to LLS to help the organization continue to fund research so that someday a cure for blood cancer may be found. The heart to give back to society and the tenacity to accomplish something this grueling physically clearly set these every day athletes apart from the crowd.
So for 17 weeks they progressed from a short 30 minutes of running or walking the first week to their longest day where they ran or walked from Yorba Linda to Huntington Beach, covering slightly over 20 miles. To make this happen, each of them made the commitment to add training to their already busy lives. And, if that weren’t enough, they went on a mission of asking their family and friends to support them in their quest by donating money to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Each of them personally committed to raising nearly $3,000. Seems impossible, but, not to this team!
Who were these people that would commit to putting their bodies through such rigorous training as well as raising funds through their own personal fundraising campaigns? Our team truly mirrored our community. We had family members such as, a mother and her daughters, as well as groups of sisters. We had the youngsters who were fun and fast. We had husbands and wives, and athletes representing the baby boomers. They came together as one team, with one very important goal, raise money to find a cure for cancer.
So, you can see why these are my heroes. This team not only will have a chance to showcase their amazing fitness prowess in the month of June, but they have collectively raised over $115,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. That is not a misprint. It is absolutely amazing!
So in the month of June, when all of you are enjoying your normal Sunday routines, I ask you to think of this team. Say a good luck mantra for our group of 37 athletes. They set goals for themselves and have individually accomplished them all. They have made staying physically fit an important part of their lives and they are helping to save lives through their fundraising efforts. And, someday, when a cure for cancer is finally found, these athletes will be able to say with pride, - I did my share in helping to fund the research that brought these terrible diseases to an end.- That is why they are my heroes! I wish them all the best race possible.
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