Team In Training

The first bite I got from the Team In Training organization was when my good friend Ashanti Branch conquered the 2007 San Diego Rock N' Roll Marathon and raised $2,900. This inspired me to take on a similar challenge, and do a marathon the following year (this year) to support Team In Training and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. When I found out about my dad's condition, it only reaffirmed my decision to take on this great challenge.


My first meeting with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training I was immediately hooked. The room was energized with a sundry of inspirational forces. People were there to donate their time and their energy for a much greater cause then their own. I must say, I was compelled to fill out the application and submit it as quickly as possible. In fact I can't say that I remember much about filling out the application... I'm really hoping I gave all the correct info??

I elected to do the San Francisco Marathon on October 19, because not only is it in my favorite city, but it will put me close to my family. The name of this marathon (Nike Women's Marathon) eludes to female only participation, but I assure you that this is just as much a man's marathon as it is a women's - 26.2 miles a of hilly terrain is challenging for either gender.

My wife Jamie has recently decided to take on the same challenge and run by my side in this great journey. I feel very humbled by her support for me, and am very proud of her for challenging her physical being. Our training is going to be pretty brutal, so be sure to check in to her blog as well to follow her triumphs and tribulations.

I guess one of the big questions on your mind is about my dad. He was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cell. Currently he is seven weeks into his treatment and his progress is remarkable!! He has a 17 more weeks to go before he conquers this beast. Rock on dad!

So I guess I have a bit of explaining to do... To be honest at first I was very uncertain whether to mention my dad's battle with cancer to my friends. It wasn't that I had a lack of trust for my friends, it was that I really didn't want to have to talk about it, or have people ask me "How is he doing?" But I soon came to realize that it is something that I need to tell my friends and talk about. So for 99.9% of my friends, I apologize that you are finding out this way. This is a sort of "coming-out" for the really bad news in my life. I look forward to your emails and phone calls.

So on a more positive note, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training is the world's largest endurance sports training program. Money raised through this program goes to support research for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and patient services for those battling these diseases.

I encourage you, if have not already done so, to support this cause and donate a little bit of tax-deductible bread to help me achieve my fund raising goal.

I will keep you updated as I begin to prepare for this great adventure!

Much love. -Brian