Harry!

This morning as I was listening to my two beautiful children chattering to me about what they dreamed about last night, what they wanted to eat for breakfast, and what they wanted to do today I couldn't help but think about one of the honorees that our team is running for, Harry.

Harry is 2.5 years old and was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) when he was 6 months old. For the past two years Harry, his parents and his older brother have been fighting tooth and nail to save his life. I can't help but think what I would do if I were Harry's mom. Would I be strong enough to handle such a long road of doctors, hospitals, chemo, bone marrow transplants? Would I be able to handle the unknow and the sheer fear that I would have day in and day out until I knew every single cell of cancer was out of my child's body?

Children are suppose to be care free. When they wake up they should be able to talk about their dreams, what they are going to eat for breakfast, what Princesses they want to grow up to be and how Alvin and the chipmunks "rock and roll." They should not be in pain, be scared....HAVE CANCER!

Harry had a bone marrow transplant when he was 10 months old. He just celebrated his one year transplant anniversary. Doctor's said he wouldn't make it to 2 years old. They are now saying that if he makes it to his 2 year transplant (May 2011) anniversary his chances of relapsing are unlikely.

I hope during my journey that I am able to meet with Harry's parents and really be able to listen to their amazing story and pull strength from their experience. As a parent I cannot imagine what they have been through. If my running and fundraising for LLS saves one child it was an experience worth doing again and again!!

Today's training run was for you Harry. I am excited to meet you, your brother and your parents!!!

xoxoxox,
Ashley

My Journey Begins

Today is the official Day 1 of my training. The team in Training Kick off party was this weekend. It was amazing!! I was overwhelmed, excited, nervous, and inspired. We got to meet our team, coaches, mentors and honorees (I will be talking about my teams honorees throughout my training process) and most importantly we got our training schedule (OMG I am terrified!)

Today my training officially started. Couldn't have been a crazier day to start training for a marathon. Started with getting Gracie to school, Wish Upon A Wedding Event Chair conference call, and my schedule goes on and on until I finally got home around 9:30 tonight.

I got home and realized I still needed to run for 30 minutes today. So I strapped my running shoes on and off I went. It was a great run even though I was exhausted before I started. So many things running through my head. The most important thing that I couldn't get out of my head was "I am so proud of myself for actually committing to starting my training TONIGHT and not procrastinating it until TOMORROW."

After running the full thirty minutes I realized this is the start of an amazing journey for me. I don't know if I can actually run 26.2 miles but I know I am going to do everything in my power to try!

xoxoxox Ashley