Where it began

This, like all good things, began at Disney.

Maybe not quite -- I suppose running a half marathon seems crazy enough to some people that explaining my motivation for that one is also necessary. On that account, I'll simply say that my family was doing it, so I did it too. It's like peer pressure, but in a good way.

But at Disney, while running the half, I decided to run a full. (More accurately, it was sometime after running the half, when I no longer felt like I might die from running so much and instead was pumped with adrenaline and accomplishment at having just completed 13.1 miles.) And more than that -- I think while there I also decided to join Team in Training. I got interested in it at least. I saw all these people in purple shirts running for a cause, and supporting and encouraging each other. I saw coaches, who had already finished the race, running back along the sidelines to help their teammates through. I thought if I were ever to run that far, having that support would definitely help me to the finish line.

So I looked into it. I browsed the internet, and attended an information meeting. And that's when I learned about the cause: raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. See, I didn't join TNT as I believe most do. I haven't suffered the loss of a close one due to a blood cancer. I don't know anyone who has been diagnosed. I guess in a way, you could say that my involvement with TNT began primarily for myself.

My motivation has, of course, changed. Raising over $4,000 is a fairly daunting task, and I would not be doing this if I did not think this is a worthy cause. Since joining TNT, I have become more aware of blood cancers and their impact on society. While running alongside fellow TNT members, I have heard their stories, of their loved ones who were diagnosed with a blood cancer. I have met and talked to "honored members" -- people who are currently battling a blood cancer, or are in remission. These people inspire me.

And so I run. I run for survivors, I run for fighters, I run for those who have been claimed by blood cancer. I run for my family and my friends. And yes, I even run for myself.

One step at a time, and I will eventually cross that finish line.