Ok so here's the deal - I've decided to do another season with TNT. I am not going to lie - I was a little burnt out after the National marathon and then Nashville right after it -- but a nice relaxing vacation in Hawaii and then a great birthday weekend with my friends has rejuvinated me and I am back in action.

Kristina and I have been asked to serve as training captains for this season, and sharing this responsibility with my best friend has been great. Although our Friday nights are spent picking up bagels from Panera (the one on Duke Street in Alexandria is the best - thank you Panera!!! We love you!), but the training is going well.

We've had some strong training runs and we have been preparing ourselves for San Fran with a hill workout on a weekly basis. This past week was the first week that I haven't felt great because of slight IT band strain, but I am resting it and hope to be back to 100% by the weekend.

I am really excited that we are doing San Fran - I have a lot of family out there (shout out to Michelle, Ramsey, Hilary, John, Avril, and William!) so I hope that I will get to be able to spend some time with them, since I don't EVER get to see them anymore!

In addition, following the marathon we am going to drive down the coast and visit some old friends (Carl in LA!!!!!, Mere and Trev in San Diego and Julio in SD too!) so if you are in Cali and want a visit from me, let me know - I'll be around for a week!!! :)

As for fundraising, I know it is going to be tough this year - I have been SO lucky to have such generous friends and family members that asking them to donate is hard. I know that times are tough so I feel bad asking for donations AGAIN. So we are doing a lot of other things to raise money. Yesterday we spent six hours at Giant asking for donations and between five of us, we were able to raise just about $850 - not too shabby for a Sunday afternoon.

Thank you again for all your support -- you have no idea how much I appreciate it.