Here We Go!

I've sat in the same place I am now - at my desk, staring at this screen – many times, trying to find the right words to get this little bloggy started. After so many failed attempts it’s time to say something, anything, even if it’s not the right thing. So, here it goes!

I'll get to a more complete introduction later, but here is a little about me: I'm a 20-something graduate student with a passion for health care. I'm a former college athlete just getting started in what I hope will be a long, fun running career. An Athlete (Again) is my way of documenting this transition. 

Right now I am ready for a challenge. A big, new, exciting challenge. So, I decided that I would get serious about distance running and complete my first marathon. As I was researching races I came across Team in Training, and everything felt right. So, I signed up to run the 2011 Chicago Marathon with TNT.

Team in Training is an AMAZING part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. So, you ask, where do I come in? As a Team in Training participant I commit to train for and complete the Chicago Marathon as a means to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I have so much to talk about! Like WHY I thought it would be a good idea to run a marathon in the first place, WHO I’m running for, WHAT the &#%@ I’m thinking, and HOW I’m getting from 4 miles to 26.2 without dying. And yes, all the gory details. But for now, suffice it to say that I am super excited at the chance to run my first marathon at an elite race like Chicago, all while making a difference in the lives of cancer patients around the country.