Week 18 Chicago Marathon training update

WooHoo!!! I completed 20.2 miles this past Saturday and I can honestly say I felt like I could have completed 6 more miles. It was a very cool morning so that contributed to the good running. I actually had a second wind at mile 16 and started running faster the last 4 miles; I was sore after the run but no more than usual. During the run I thought back to the early stages of the training where the long runs were 2 and 3 miles; I remember struggling to complete 3 miles on a mile and a half track justr 4 months ago - our whole team "has come a long way baby!" The Team in Training organization has been the catalyst to getting us all to this point - they really can build you into an endurance athlete.

This week I also recieved my race registration and bib number in the mail so I'm pretty excited. A couple other milestones this past week were surpassing over 300 miles in training, surpassing $5000 in donations, and I now have over 60 sponsors!!!

Here's a link to a preview of a marathon documentary being made to showcase the "everyday" marathon runner. I relate to the guy who says "I'm doing it for the T shirt" :>) - it may inspire you to get off the couch.............

http://www.marathonmovie.com/home.html - you'll also notice the vast sea of humanity that'll be participating in Chicago - its really unbelievable.

I want to thank all of my race sponsors - I have well over 60 sponsors so far. There is still time to get your name added to Leukemia and Lymphoma’s “Team Baumann”. I’m going to look like one of those NASCAR drivers with the names of sponsors plastered on every inch of my uniform. Those guys (and gals) are lucky though – they get to “drive” the long distances.

I have surpassed $5000 in donations and want to thank all of you again for your generosity. As much as your support has meant to me; it will mean a whole lot more to those who depend on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for support while fighting these deadly diseases. Team and Training will raise over a million dollars for Leukemia and Lymphoma research from just the this one race.

If you are still interested in donating there is still time
Click here to donate online:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntgmo/SeeRayRun


For those of you who would rather donate by check, you can send a check made out to LLS and mail it to me at 440 Bunker Hill, Collinsville, IL 62234.

Until next time

Cheers
Ray Baumann