I'm gonna run a marathon.
Hi. I'm Lee Hinde. And I've signed up with Team in Training to run the CowTown Marathon on October 4th.
Some background. (Written 05/01/09)
I've never been much of a runner. But a little over 10 years ago I started a regular jogging routine to try and get back into shape. I also joined Weight Watchers. I was fairly successful, dropping 30 lbs and getting closer to my target weight. But two years ago I developed plantar fasciitis and am well on my way back up.
One of the things that was helpful when I was trying to lose weight was to involve my friends by posting my progress.
These days I have lunch every Friday with a friend who has run marathons for years. He started later in life (i.e., isn't a punk kid) and got his start by participating in a Team in Training event. That got me thinking about a way I could combine exercise with peer pressure support.
So, a couple of weeks ago I decided to sign up with Team in Training, a fund raising program for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
I want some good to come of it, besides my good health.
Many of you may know that my sister is fighting lung cancer right now. I've seen first hand the day-to-day issues that someone with cancer has to deal with. My sister has been pretty lucky - she has insurance, she has a cadre of friends who help out and her family has been supportive. But there are a lot of people who are less fortunate.
Team in Training supports research, which is all well and good, but they also have a support component for patients, which I feel is as important as the research they support.
So, Team in Training is going to train me. And you're going to support me, by supporting them. Please click on this link and give some money to a good cause. Thanks.
Sorry, was that too subtle?
Please click on this link and donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Follow my progress here.
If you want to see how it's going, in a narrative form, you can follow along at this blog. And I'll keep a journal of how many minutes/miles I run below.
The aftermath. (Written 11/14/09)
Several things have been accomplished. I raised the money that I committed to. Thanks for that. I finished the marathon! And I've run a half marathon since (two weeks later in San Francisco.) I'm training for another full marathon scheduled for December 6th. It looks like I'm a runner! Thanks again for checking back.