My friend Brian Dils is running a marathon in March in Napa Valley, California to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, “an organization committed to raising money for research and patient services, honoring patients and their families, and finding a CURE for all forms of leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related illnesses.”
He needs to raise $3000 by January 20. If you have a little spare change left over from Christmas shopping, and you’d like to support him, click here to contribute.
Speaking of running, I haven’t done it in almost exactly two weeks now, and I was itching to go this morning. I’m in Ithaca, NY right now, at my parents’ new house (photos) and so I mapped out a route on the back roads nearby. I was feeling ambitious, so I found a nice 8 mile out and back, thinking I could turn back early if I got tired.
What I didn’t bank on were the hills. Man, oh man, Ithaca gots some hills. Some awesome hills. Dangerous. The first half of the run was mostly down hill, ending at Buttermilk Falls down in the valley, which were just beautiful, and totally unexpected. For better or worse, I got a bit of an edorphine rush from the falls, which made me want to charge up the other side of the valley, which turned into a “just one more ridge” kind of thing, until I eventually made it to the top, where I scoped more spectacular views of the hill my parents live on, from across the valley.
Then, the long, mostly uphill 4 miles back. Sucks.
Anyway, 1000 calories later I’m feeling a bit better. Running is fun.
Wow, Erik, the new house is so beautiful! Looks like an amazing place to unwind. It has a very lodge-like quality about it. I’m psyched for your folks.
there should be a napathon with a big room with cushy pillows and soft music and milk and cookies where people sponsor you to sleep for as long as possible, because i would totally win.
Thank you so much this is exactly what i needed for my project thank you!!!!