So far...

Don't really want to labor too much at this first post.  So, here's the scoop in a nutshell (a scoop in a nutshell?  Unless that's a coconut, that'd be a pretty small scoop!):

• I ran a marathon (the Cincinnati Flying Pig) about 3 1/2 years ago with Team In Training (TnT) (http://www.teamintraining.org/), an organization that trains you to do endurance events in exchange for you fund-raising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org/).  Had a blast, at least as much of a blast as you can have running in what has to be the hilliest city in the Midwest :)
• My daughter Abby (9 years old now) was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) a week before her second birthday.  She did 26 months of chemo; I did 26.2 miles in a marathon and raised money for leukemia and lymphoma research and support.  Simple...  And my husband did a triathlon, a marathon, and a 100-mile bike ride and raised money too, over the years.  If we add it all up, I think we've raised somewhere around $9 or $10K for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through TnT.  And we've done some cool events, made some good friends, and traveled to some awesome places.
• I started training for a second Flying Pig marathon about 2 years ago with TnT.  Unfortunately, that year I signed up a little too late and starting trying the longer distances a little too quickly; I ruptured a disc in my lower back and had to quit running or doing much of anything for a while. At which point I started a love affair with my comfy couch and television. :)  And the chips and dips that keep jumping out of my fridge onto my lap as I sit on the couch.
• 10 lbs. and 2 years later, I realize my back is fine now, and I have become rather lazy.  We got an e-mail about 5 weeks ago from the lovely folks at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, asking us if Abby can start coming out to TnT meetings again as an "honored teammate".  We say yes, I take her to a meeting two days after my 40th Birthday, and promptly sign up to run the Walt Disney Marthon in October 2011!  My fund-raising goal for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is $2200.

So, that catches you all up to speed, I think! :)  I officially started "training" for the Walt Disney Marathon on August 1st.  My goal with this blog will be to document my training, my fund-raising, and throw in a little bit of 4-1-1 along the way.  And hopefully make this a little more fun.  So, buckle up and come along with me for the ride!  My link to my fund-raising site is on the right, in my Links section, if you are interested in donating.  Thank you!