Raise $367.60 by Monday?; Thank you, 29% towards $1750 by July 2!; Meet Robert, our honored teammate

Looking at the "progress meter" on my official TNT webpage, you'd think we're doing pretty well. You're right - but owing to a few check contributions not reflected in that total, we're making even more progress than you know! So far, we have raised 29% ($507.40) towards the $1750 by July 2 goal. Holy cats - you are all amazing. We can absolutely achieve this goal by July 2 - a little over two weeks away - but we'll have to keep up the pace (an unforgiveable pun, I know, but there you have it.)

My challenge to you: Can we make 50% of the goal - that's an additional $367.60 - by Monday?

I think we can do it. But, again, I'll need your help! If you haven't already, you can contribute here.

Big "thank yous" to the most recent donors...

Bill S., Moorehead, MN
Mark S., Minneapolis, MN
Cristy D., St. Paul, MN
Margit M., DC
John and Carolyn R., St. Paul, MN
Linda and Greg T., Minneapolis
Ann C., St. Paul
Carin S. and Ross A, Minneapolis
Linda A., CA
Miranda and Paul G., St. Paul
Jannette S., NY

Wow... I know I've said it before, but it clearly bears saying again... I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by such supportive folks. Thank you, so much, again.

Meet Robert, 2010 Minnesota Team In Training Marathon & Half Marathon Honored Teammate
As you probably know, many of my teammates have chosen personal honorees in whose name they will train this season. My personal honorees are my dad, Ned Jimmerson, and my colleague, Sam Weis.

In addition, each year the Minnesota chapter picks an honoree for each endurance event team. This year, the Minnesota TNT marathon and half marathon folks (these are teammates training for Dublin, Nike full and half marathons in San Francisco in October, and Twin Cities Marathon) are running for (and with!) honored teammate Robert.

Robert was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in February of 1990.  He officially went into remission on March 3, 1990.  This year marks his  20th year in remission from leukemia.  On his 10th year in remission he ran the Twin Cities Marathon with Team In Training.

Get this - this year Robert is not only back as our marathon Honored Teammate, but will run both the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon & the Adidas Dublin Marathon. (He's going to run TWO marathons this season! Holy crap! I am officially an under-achiever.) To say it's pretty cool to be able to train with someone who's overcome so much - and who is now running TWO marathons within about a month of each other - is a bit of an understatement.  Go, Robert, go!!

Thank yous; First $100 in; 6% towards goal!

Just a quick update... I can't resist thanking the folks who have donated already. We are already 6% towards our goal of $1750. What a great start! We'll get that goal by July 2 yet.

My tremendous thanks to...

• Susan S., MN
• Emira I., NM
• Michelle R., MN

You guys are great. I'm so lucky to have such supportive folks in my life!

Training has started to gradually pick up. I've been feeling out the intermediate training program (no promises there, we'll see how it goes), and last week got about 20 miles in. Last Saturday's group training was a trail run in Minnetonka, where we managed to avoid the rain. I saw a mallard, just hanging out next to the trail as runners and bicyclists passed, and a lot of beautiful wildflowers. One reason I love training with TNT (aside from the great mission, of course) is the variety in our training locations.

This week, I'll probably be logging about 23 training miles (including hopefully 12 miles on this Saturday's team run; we'll see!), plus two half-hour cross-training sessions (I've been experimenting with some weight training and a yoga/strengthening DVD.) Yesterday's scheduled run called for 5 miles, which, though I wasn't trying to go especially fast, apparently managed in just under an 11 min pace! A snail's speed to more experienced runners, and not even a personal record for me, but compared to my usual 11:30ish pace, an accomplishment. And for anyone that really, REALLY wants to know more about my training, I log all of my runs here on DailyMile.com.

Tonight, I'm getting a run in on my own, and then heading out to a team fundraising fair and injury prevention clinic. I learn something new every time I attend these clinics and will be sure to report back. More soon!

My honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis

A quick training update: Training has begun! I am feeling out the "intermediate" training schedule to see how it goes. So far, so good. We will be running 8-10 miles on Saturday already, and I'm averaging about 12 miles a week plus two 30 min cross-training sessions a week. Yesterday, we held our first team run on the Lock and Dam #1 to work on hills. This is a HILL - a quarter mile one way (down), half mile up and down. Great training for the marathon, believe me!

Now that that's out of the way, it's time to introduce you to my personal honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis.

I'm running in memory of my dad, Ned Jimmerson. He passed away about a year and a half ago at the age of 59 of complications from a massive stroke that occurred a few years earlier and diabetes. Dad loved the arts, particularly the stage - he was an actor and director at the local community theatre - and singing with the local community choir. While he did not suffer from blood cancer, I knew I wanted to accomplish something difficult in his memory - something that would require a great deal of dedication and that would benefit others. A couple of years ago, I learned about Team In Training but wasn't able to commit the time for training, and was worried about how successful I could be meeting the fundraising goals. Last year seemed the right year. And my concerns about fundraising - well, you all proved me wrong there! I am so happy to be able to run in Dad's memory again this year.

This year, I'm tremendously privileged to also be running in honor of my colleague, Sam Weis. Sam is a smart, talented guy in his mid-twenties who works for a Wisconsin environmental nonprofit, working for public policy to ensure clean air and clean water for future generations. Sam was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2008, and only in January of this year received the good news that he is in maintenance. What's more, Sam's mom also overcame leukemia only a few years earlier. Sam informs me that he's gradually regaining his physical fitness, and was recently hiking in the Porcupine Mountains.

You can read more about Sam's experiences over the last year and a half on his blog, Blog Strong: The Leukemic Adventures of Sam Weis.


It's such an honor and a privilege to be able to run in memory and in honor of two such extraordinary individuals. One more hill, one more pushup, one more step at a time, we'll make it across that finish line in October!!