I've been thinking about running another marathon this year for quite some time. It had been simmering on the back of my brain for several years, at least, this thought that I'd be celebrating twenty years in remission by running Twin Cities again. When I finally looked at the upcoming fall calendar for TNT, though, I was surprised to see the Dublin Marathon in Ireland. Never been to Ireland. And Dublin is only a short ferry and train ride away from Lancaster.
Running the local marathon is very important to me, but I began asking around about the viability of running two marathons within three weeks of one another. Both have significance beyond just the run. So I talked to friends and family and pondered the decision for the better part of the month of April before trusting my intial instinct: just go for it. Tackle the bigger challenge for any number of really good reasons, not the least of which is ensuring I wouldn't regret missing out on a chance to return to England.
Along those same lines, I'd originally set my personal fundraising goal at $20,000. It's a good, clean number. Twenty thousand for twenty years. It's also the threshold I'd broken ten years ago when I'd last run Twin Cities.
But something was gnawing at me. Something about pushing outside of my comfort zone by running two marathons, but not doing the same thing with my fundraising goals. You need to dream big, right? Even if you don't reach those goals, you're better off with setting the bar as high as you can. You might be surprised at what you can achieve.
With that in mind, I'm hoping to raise $40,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society between now and the end of October. Should be a very good challenge.
Today's mileage: two miles before work, a gorgeous loop around Bredesen Park. Early morning sun angling through the trees, cool but not cold, and only a few other runners out.
Total mileage: 6 miles.
Robert -
You continue to amaze me! Your site lookes awesome and will be a great way for all of us who are supporting you to take stock of and appreciate all your hard work and efforts. You are and will continue to be a hard act to follow. You ARE saving lives, one step at a time. I have no doubt you will meet and exceed the goals you have set out for yourself. Regardless of whatever you are able to raise, in both money and awareness, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has already benefited from having you as a part of their team. Keep dreaming big. That's what I've always loved about you.
Always, Melissa