On the Road Again...

If this is your first time to visit my site, let me tell you about myself. My name is Tempie and I am a marathon runner. On April 28, 2007, I did something which I thought was unthinkable - I completed my first full marathon (26.2 miles) - the Country Music Marathon here in Nashville. I trained for 6 months and basically dedicated my life to the race and to the cause. After 7 months, 3 pairs of sneakers, enough miles logged to run to Florida and over $2000 raised to support the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - and after a summer vacation, I'm at it again. I have begun training for my next full marathon - the 2008 Country Music Marathon. I'm scheduled to run to 1/2's between now and then, the '08 Houston 1/2 Marathon and the Tom King 1/2 here in Nashville.

It's a crazy notion, but I can't imagine my life without running.

Knowing that simply getting out and running a few miles (or 26) can go so far in the fight against cancer, is truly a humbling experience.

As with my first marathon, I will be training with the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, not only as a participate, but as a mentor. If you're not familiar with Team In Training, we generate sponsorships and donations that raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's and myeloma, as well as help support those families who are coping with these illnesses. As a mentor, I'll be in a role to help other first-timers make it through the season and achieve their goal.

As my motivation and as a constant reminder of how difficult it is to deal with cancer, I will be running in honor of my aunt, who, last spring was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my grandmother who is a breast cancer survivor. They will be my heroes, my inspiration and my drive. And they, like so many others, need our help to cross the ultimate finish line - finding a cure.

Let's find a cure - together. Please make a donation in honor or in memory of anyone you may know who has dealt with the constant trials and tribulations of cancer and help make a difference.

Thanks for your support, and, remember, all donations are tax-deductible!!

www.active.com/donate/tnttn/tempied