One More Day!

I can't believe I'm finally in Alaska! It seems like only yesterday that I signed up to mentor this season, and here I am, with the whole team, here in Anchorage and ready to run! Especially after consuming an entire plate of pasta and sitting down for two and a half hours at our dinner tonight. Carolyn wants to run in under two hours. A few months ago, I would've said that would be impossible, given that it's taken me two and a half hours to finish the previous two halfs. But I have faith and confidence and in the end, it's not about me or my time, but about something so much bigger than myself.

Today I learned that there are nearly 1,000 Team in Training participants in tomorrow's marathon and half marathon. Collectively, we raised $4.4 million dollars. For just one of the dozens of TNT events this season. Every gift--no matter how small--matters, because in the end, it's about what we do as a team. And that every Saturday across the country, thousands of people get up early in the morning, run mile after mile in every condition imaginable, so that someone else--maybe a family member, maybe a friend and maybe even a complete stranger--can live and live well. Miraculous in and of itself.

Today, we donned our hot pink shirts (even the guys, because, as we all know, real men wear pink!) that say "Kisses for Kate." And I will be thinking of her and of my teammate Sarah--who just a year ago, had lost her hair and was weak from chemotherapy, and tomorrow, will be crossing the finish line--and all of those who run so they and others like them can live long and happy lives. I am truly blessed to be a part of this program, to have a chance to do something small to make the world a better place for someone else. GO TEAM!