Track and Field Blogs - Marty Rosendahl

So it's been a tough time for me lately, working hard to get back into shape after a long layoff. I'm finally moving my mileage up and should be in the 90's or more very soon. I'm pretty darn happy that things are finally coming around. When Rachel doesn't have us going out of town visiting friends, I'm finally able to run with the team again every day. It's like the dawn after the night that seemed it would never end. Hopefully the sun continues to rise on this runner.

I've had trouble thinking of something to blog about lately, you might have noticed since this is quite a while since my last blog post. Life has just become kind of routine for me, and it's pretty boring and not much to write about. Wake up, run, eat, work, cross train, sleep, repeat. It's a far cry from the excitement of last year when, by the end of June, I had been to New York City twice (once for New Year's Eve,) Houston, Boulder, Mombasa Kenya, Denver, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, all for some pretty serious races (seems like I'm forgetting one.) Right now I'll be happy if I can run a race by the end of the year, who cares where. Oh yeah, Minneapolis, I raced there in June last year. That's the one I was forgetting.

On a previous blog (probably my most recent one) I wrote about my wife running her first 5k, the Race For The Cure. Well on this blog, since my life is as exciting as watching corn grow, I'd like to write about my sister-in-law's race. She joined Team In Training (TNT) and is running a Women's Only Marathon in San Francisco. She's been doing tri's for a few years now, and ran her first marathon in NYC last November. But what inspired her to joint TNT is that her cousin has a pretty serious case of leukemia. He's undergoing treatment for it right now, and she's training for her marathon. I just got an Email from her, and that's kind of what gave me the idea for this blog. I'm going to copy her letter into this and you can do with it what you will. It is a donation request. I will also put my endorsement on it by saying that Sara is one of the nicest gals you could meet. Selfish is a word nobody would ever use to describe her. She could train for a marathon without TNT, pay the registration fees herself, etc. etc. but since the leukemia thing struck so close to home with her cousin's experience with it, this is something she's doing to help everybody with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. And again, not because she's selfish and wants to feel good about herself, but because she truly is selfless. I'll let her letter say the rest.

Hi everyone!

A huge thank you to all who have responsed already! The generosity is so encouraging.

I just wanted to give you an update. These emails are my practice in persistance--I will need 26.2 miles of it!

Yesterday was our first 12-miler. I couldn't do the team run, since we were with teenagers at a camp all week. However, I did convince a former student to run with me to help me pass the time. However, it is a little disheartening when you're running 12 miles with someone who starts the run by saying, "Wow, I haven't run in months" and then proceeds to dash up and down the hills!

My cousin has now undergone his stem cell transplant, and by God's grace is doing great! He is living in a transplant house and is able to see his family. He sends the most encouraging emails, just expressing how thankful he is for his health, and for God's promises.

Just a reminder that donations need to made by September 24. (Half of the minimum raised by August 1 = a brand-spanking new TNT sweatshirt for this runner. I'm sure THAT'S a motivator for you!)

Your financial support will not only help save the lives of those afflicted with blood-related cancers, but make their lives more comfortable and manageable while they are fighting against the disease. And in case you are wondering, over 75% of your donation goes directly to patient services and research. If you are so inclined, please feel free to forward this email and request with anyone who might like to help. Every contribution will have an impact, will be acknowledged personally by me, and will be appreciated by so very many.

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf08/spfeiffer

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that this will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

In Christ, Sara Pfeiffer

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)