NOT a vacation

We are continuing to practice hard! This past weekend, my dear friend Beth came to visit from Boston. She has been training up there for the San Diego marathon as well. She was able to come to our practice this weekend on Kelly Drive. She and Dan, who are both doing the full marathon, did 12 miles. I was scheduled to do 6-- BUT I DID 8 INSTEAD! Go me. I was definitely feeling tired during the last mile, though. The muscles behind my knees started to hurt with about 1 1/4 miles to go, and by the last 3/4 mile, I slowed WAY down. But I kept on pace for about a 17 minute mile, which is decent.

It's been brought to my attention that I should offer a better explanation of where your donation will go, dear reader. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society calculates our minimum fund raising goal by determining the normal estimated travel costs and multiplying by 4. That way, 75% of your donation goes directly to patients and families in need, and 25% goes to the non-profit organization. If we are unable to raise the money through generous donors like you, we will have to pay the rest of the money from our own pocket. We have already made several donations to the cause throughout our training. We are NOT asking you to fund a vacation to San Diego! Besides, who do you know that plans to walk 13 or 26 miles on vacation???

Anybody have $4200 we can borrow?

I am a little stressed out, frankly, about the fundraising, since our goal is tomorrow. Something tells me it's not going to happen as I planned. Our real deadline for the organization is May 15th. Dan plans to approach local business owners this weekend to see if we can get any corporate sponsors. I have high hopes, since there are several places that we frequent, I am hoping they will be amenable to giving to a good cause!

I won't be able to practice with the team next weekend. I am heading up to CT for a bridal shower on Saturday, and a baby shower on Sunday! Life is getting crazy recently-- during the slow winter months, it was easy to make time for practice and fundraising. Now with a busier spring approaching, I feel like time is flying by! June 3rd will be here before we know it.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan's aunt and cousins this week. We found out on Saturday that Uncle Frank Carlino died last Thursday. We remember him fondly in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for the family.

Thank you for checking in on our progress. If you haven't made your contribution to our fundraising yet, it's not too late! And perhaps you will be so inspired by our campaign that you will pass our website along to some friends or colleagues that would like to donate as well!

-Sara