In August of 2004 I accepted a coaching position with the Leukemia/Lymphoma Societys team in training (T'NT). I was to teach a group of people from all walks of life how to train to run or walk a marathon (26.2 miles). The task was challenging and daunting. Some of these people had not even jogged around the block.where do I start?

Besides the training, these people took on the challenge of raising close to $5,000.00 a piece for Leukemia/Lymphoma research.

As I look back over those 4 months I saw confident athletes emerge from the 37 members of the team. I had 5 athletes that trained for and finished the Seattle Marathon on November 28th. Nine of our team went to Hawaii to race in the Honolulu Marathon on December 12th and the remainder (22) of the team went to Arizona to participate in the P.F. Changs Rock n Roll Marathon on January 9, 2005.

There were months of intense training that this incredible group of people endured. They racked up mile after mile weekly so they would be prepared when the big day arrived. They trained outside on the Coastal Trail through October and then switched inside to the track at the Tesoro Sports Center.

The training paid off and the times that were turned in for the Events were very respectable. There was one runner who was trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon by running the Honolulu Marathon in under 4 hours.

I have gotten several emails and lots of pictures from the Honolulu team recounting their experiences. The weather cooperated and nobody reported blisters. Everyone finished. That is the goal. Quitting is not an option. When a runner feels a bit defeated he only has to think about what the kids with Leukemia and other blood related cancers go through, then the marathon seems like a cakewalk.

I have been a Fitness Coach for almost 20 years and I can say that this experience was one that I will not soon forget! I feel blessed that I was presented with this opportunity to work with all these wonderful, caring and committed people.

I have been receiving emails on a daily basis from the team as they recount their experiences at the different events! Each account is different from the next yet they ran the same race. I think the one thing that they all have in common is that they found out that they can do a lot more than they ever thought possible!! What are your fitness dreams and goals?