The Mayor's Marathon

Well - it's been awhile since I've blogged, but I started something last week that's really exciting - I'm training for a Marathon! Yes, a marathon. In June. The 26.2 mile kind. Oh, and it's in... ALASKA! I know, I know, it seems kind of crazy, but here's the thing - I'm doing this as part of a team that trains, runs and raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight cancer. The program is called Team in Training and it has helped beginners (like me) train successfully for marathons since 1988.

So why am I doing it? Here are the reasons in no particular order

• I've had a secret goal of running a marathon for years
  
• It's a chance to work with trainers as opposed to just trying to do it on my own
  
• Being part of a group that's doing this together will really help me stay committed
  
• It's an opportunity to raise money for a very worthwhile organization
  
• It's an opportunity to do something in memory of my friend David Detweiler who passed away 10 years ago, less than one year after being diagnosed with cancer
  
• It's in Alaska
  
• It means I will probably get to eat a lot more while I'm training to keep up my strength!
  
• I'm expecting to be in great shape when I'm done

As I mentioned, part of what I'm doing is raising money. I've set up a fundraising page so that people can help. You can make pledges or see how close I am to my $4900 goal at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/dslivken

If you hurry and make a donation right now, you could be one of my first supporters - what a thrill!



Now, here's the "funnest" part for you, my dedicated readers... I'll be reporting on my training right here on this blog every week. That means you can enjoy hearing about (hopefully) my accomplishments as well as (hopefully not as much) my pain as the big event on June 21st gets closer. Your support, financially or otherwise, will really help me make it all the way to the finish line so please check back often and help keep me motivated with any feedback you might have. Click here to read the latest. THANKS!!

For more information on either Team In Training or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit their website http://www.teamintraining.org