Why.

Why.

Tomorrow morning, I'm dragging my ass out of bed to run 13 miles. Pretty soon, it'll be 18 miles. Then 20. Then on a lovely morning in June, I'll toddle around 26.2 miles of San Diego as fast as I can.

I could easily have done this on my own. I could have found training plans online or in fancy glossy books. I could have dragged unlucky and unassuming friends along on my Saturday long runs so I wouldn't be spending 2+ hours with nothing to do but put one foot in front of the other and listen to the voices in my head BECAUSE THEY TOTALLY START TO ACT UP AROUND MILE 5. I digress. As wonderful and amazing and voices-in-my-head-distracting as the Team in Training group has been, I technically could have done it without them.

Why, then, am I doing this? Why commit to a fundraising minimum? Don't I have plenty of other things to deal with, including, but not limited to, getting to bed early tonight? The fundraising goal has been a giant anvil over my head since I signed up in February, but not for a minute do I dread this committment. I'm doing this because I want to make a difference. I'm doing this because people need me to make a difference. I'm doing this for John and Neil. For Melanie and Danielle. For Brooke and Carl. For Stacy, Carol, Laurel, Lora, Amanda, Niko, and for the countless, countless others who's paths I have yet to cross but who's lives are torn apart by tragic and life-altering blood cancers.

I'm doing it because they need the help. They need money for research or to help pay their medical bills. They need support for their families. They need someone to fight for them. Someone to kick 26.2 miles in the ass.

I, however, need you. Please click below and read my webpage, track my progress, and, if you are so inclined, please make a secure online donation. (I can also accept offline, check-ish donations. Email me.) Thank you all so much. Any amount makes a difference, and know that 75% of your thoughtful contribution goes directly to the patients and blood cancer research. The other 25% goes towards marathon-y costs like coaches, pasta, and TnT racing jerserys, and LLS administrative costs.

I love you all, and it would totally mean the world to me to have your support.