NYC Marathon 2011: Running for the planet.

Nearly a year and a half after completing my first marathon (well, technically my first 1.8 marathons, if you count my Nashville tornado experience...), I am back at it. I am currently training to run in the NYC Marathon on November 6, 2011. In Spring 2010, thanks to many generous donations, I raised over $6,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year, I’m asking for your support once again as I try to beat my 2010 time by at least one minute per mile (completing the race in under 4 hours), stay injury free (hopefully avoiding another bout of tendinitis) and, more importantly, run for a new worthy cause that is very close to my heart: The Nature Conservancy.

For as long as I can remember, I have contemplated training for the NYC marathon.  As a kid, I remember chilly Sundays in November, standing on the streets of NYC watching thousands of runners fly by and trying to pick my father out of the crowd.  Since 1980, my dad has completed the race six times and, in the past four races, has raised over $37,000 for Fred's Team, a charity focused on Pediatric Cancer Research.  It is an honor to finally have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and run what I consider to be "his" race for a charity that I feel passionate about.   

As many of you know, I have a deep care for and interest in the environment, which first manifested itself when I was a teenager spending my summers backpacking out west, and now serves as the focus of my career as an attorney specializing in environmental law. The stated mission of The Nature Conservancy is "to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive". The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world since it was founded in 1951. 

Please help support my training and fundraising efforts. 100% of the funds that I raise will go to the Nature Conservancy- race entry and accommodations will be paid for separately.  As I did last year, I will provide regular training updates until the day of the race. Right now, I am just praying for some cooler weather so I can start running long runs outside again.

Thanks again for your support!