Good for me, better for others.

So I just signed up for Team In Training, which is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Basically what that means is that I am now going to be training for a marathon (although I think I will start off with a half marathon, we'll see) and start raising money for research.

I really only know of a few people who have passed away or who had leukemia, but cancer is cancer. I know I have talked about this before, but my grandmother passed away from colon cancer when I was 15 and ever since then I have sort of been hyper aware of cancer and it's devestating effects. Robin's dad passed away from pancreatic cancer and I am a strong supporter of PanCan, but I have always felt that there was more I could do.

I was talking to one of my best friends, Jen, who recently ran a marathon in Miami for HIV/AIDS research and was really inspired by that. What was stopping me from doing the same thing? Nothing, except my own self doubts, my lack of dedication and my out-of-shapeness. So, yeah, those are all shitty reasons. I can run a marathon. Yes, I am not in the best shape (I'm getting better) but there is no reason why I can't just train for it. I need to be dedicated to something philanthropic instead of my own causes and frankly, this is a pretty good one.

Team In Training provides training, travel and resources in exchange for fundraising. So not only will I be getting my ass into shape, but I will have the opportunity to travel (yeah, Dublin perhaps?) and I will be supporting a great cause.

So there we go. I feel really good. I think grandma would be proud too.

You can do it too.