Little Miss Runner Pants

next saturday, on our 8 mile recovery week (july 16th) we will be running a silent mile.... here's what it's all about....

"....Saturday, July 16 will be a special training day for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training Program. This day will be a special training day because it is called the Silent Mile. On this day, the team will run or cycle silently the first mile of their run/walk/cycle and the last mile of their run/walk/cycle while they remember the true meaning of why they are out there- training in honor of their local blood cancer survivor. The Silent Mile is an opportunity for TNT participants to run or cycle in silence and reflect on the men, women, families and friends dealing with blood cancers and who face a much greater challenge. There will be several mission moments this day and I can promise you that this is a day that you will NOT want to miss. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE come to this training day...."

i guess i just wanted to share this will all of you as a reminder, more to myself than anyone else, that this whole thing is about more than the running, more than the pain of the blisters on my feet, more than beating someone else's marathon time... and i so easily forget that. and i'm not trying to be totally sappy, b/c you can count on me being right back here tomorrow groaning about my upcoming long run... but this really is about helping to raise money for a cure.

so, i thought it only appropriate i let you all know about my honor patient, Kyle Chadwick.

Kyle is an eleven year old boy who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia when he was 6 years old. He has a twin brother, Keith, and two other brothers, Tyler and Brett, who have all been touched by this disease, having to watch their brother, Kyle, suffer through three years of chemotherapy and over twenty surgeries. currently, however, he is in remission and doing well... and he's so cute!! he's a die-hard KU fan (hells yeah....go Jayhawks!!!) and ironically enough has been trying to get himself into shape to join his school's track team. unfortunately his leg muscles are weak due to the surgeries/chemo, etc, so he's struggling a bit there... but he's this beyond precious kid, kinda shy and quiet, who has been through so much in his 11 years.... and i am truly honored to be running for him.