Stopping by to quickly update on our fundraiser this past weekend....we raised close to $3,000!!!!! This was my first time organizing bingo, and it was obvious....but when all was said and done it was a fun time and we raised twice as much as I had hoped!! The majority of the money will go towards my fundraising efforts for the marathon, however some will go towards our team fundraising for the DC Walk-N-Roll, which is in two weeks. I'm still making apple dumplings to fill orders, so proceeds from that will also go to the walk. All money still goes to the SBA, just through different events.

This weekend I will be running my first half marathon in preparation for NYC. Part of the race goes through Antietam Battlefield, which is HILLY. I did one of my long training runs there a few weeks ago and all I can say is I hope I survive! It's only about a 6 mile stretch, and the rest is fairly easy. Brenden and Madelynn are excited to come cheer me on, since they won't be able to come to NYC. It looks like perfect weather for Saturday morning, so it should be a fun time.

It's hard to believe NYC is only about 5 weeks away. When training began it seemed like it was so far off but it has slowly crept up. I'm nervous but just as excited. I wish Brenden was able to come, but it will be way too many people and noise that he would be on sensory overload. Being able to see him along the way would certainly be great motivation, but it's just not possible this year. Every morning one of the first things he asks is, "How did your run go last night? How far did you run?" After I give him all the details of my run from the night before, he says, "Good job Mommy, I'm proud of you," and gives me a hug. Little does he realize that he's my motivation for all of this. And while he may be too young to understand why I'm doing this race, I hope that someday he can look back and realize it was all for him. If I survive this first one, maybe next year??