I Think I Can, I Think I Can

My training is going well and starting to get more intense. We practice together as a team twice a week, on Wednesday nights at the MJC track for drills and timed runs,(this is really hard for me, because I am not used to this type of running) and on Saturday mornings for our long runs.

We all participated in the 10K RUN at the Escalon Park Fete on Saturday the 12th. That was fun but I always get so nervous before a race. I need to get over that. Then, last Saturday we had our 1st run in Knights Ferry, to start training for the hills in SF for the Marathon. It was a 12 mile run and it was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. We will start increasing our mileage each week now.

My running partner wasn't here this week so I ran by myself the whole hour and 45 minutes. Betsy had emailed on Friday night asking that we pray for her upcoming bone marrow biopsy (which is a very painful procedure), so I was able to spend the entire time in prayer for her while I was running. This is what keeps me going to do this marathon.

You too can help! Betsy starts her 1st Chemo treatment on Thursday and she could really use your prayers and support during this time.

Marathon!!??

I am doing the unthinkable! I am participating in a MARATHON!! I have never had the desire to run a marathon until this year. I’ve always thought people who ran marathons were crazy to put their bodies through so much pain. Good news is I’m not doing it alone! I have joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program and will run in the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, CA on October 19th, 2008.

Aside from trying to conquer my biggest challenge yet, this journey has a much greater purpose. As part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we are raising money to support research that will find a cure to blood related cancers. I will be running and fundraising in honor and memory of some very extraordinary people…like Betsy Stowe. Betsy is an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher who was diagnosed last week with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The doctors have given her a 50/50 chance of being cured, but I am believing for a complete recovery just as my friends John Krick and Pam Riddle recovered. I am honored to know her and for the opportunity to run on her behalf. I am also running in memory of 2 of my best friends' husbands who have passed away from cancer, Jim Redden and Mike Tuxson.

I’m hoping all of you will take this opportunity to run with me and be part of the team! Don’t worry, you won’t have to struggle through early morning workouts and countless miles! :) My personal goal is to raise $2,400 by October 3rd, 2008 and your generous donations will help make this happen. Your contribution, whatever you can give, is fully tax deductible and will go directly to research, education, and patient services.

Please visit my Team in Training website at http://pages.teamintraining.org/sac/nikesf08/jkesterson and join me in this fight by contributing to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and help advance the mission to FIND A CURE!!!