Dear Friends
I have never done this before, so please bear with me.
Within the last year, I've had the chance to spend time with an old friend, Joshua Topy. I knew him from the climbing community but hadn't seen him in a few years. We were both invited to the same holiday party and, when he arrived, he was in a wheelchair. As he and I talked, I found out that over the past few years he has been in a life-and-death battle with leukemia. Joshua's personal courage – that I so respect and admire – combined with incredible medical breakthroughs has given him and others with leukemia hope for a longer and better quality of life.
Inspired by my friend and to support the medical research of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I'm running the 26.2 mile Columbus Marathon on Sunday, October 21st with the Society's fundraising Team in Training program. My first marathon!
I'm asking you to help by making a contribution to the $1,700 goal set for me by Team in Training. If I cannot raise $1,700 by September 26th, I am asked to personally commit to pay the rest – so I need your help!
The Society is extremely well organized, and you and I are assured that 75% of all donations go directly to research, patient care and community awareness.
To donate quickly and securely, please use the link in this email. You will receive email confirmation of your donation, and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. I will run for you on October 21st as my way of thanking you for your support.
http://www.active.com/donate/tntcoh/tntcohRHunter
Rob Hunter
Team In Training
Team In Training
"Climbing is the spice, not the meal." ~ Lurkist
Thanks Wes! Yes I have been hearing for years how good the Columbus Marathon's course is. I have ran a few 5&10K's in Cbus and they all seem to run that hill downtown. The training looks to be really good with TNT, we have two coaches and two trainers to help and a really good training schedule.
"Climbing is the spice, not the meal." ~ Lurkist
**Update**
I've had a little set back in the training with a few injuries. Basically, old climb, running and ultimate frisbee injuries in my right leg have come back to haunt me as I increased my mileage. So after a few doctor visits and some physical therapy, I am back to running short distances. At this point, I may have to settle with only running the half marathon but I will wait and see how things go as I re-increase my mileage and try to catch back up to the full marathon training schedule.
My Team in Training "hero", Josh Topy has receive some grave news. Josh's leukemia has return and the doctors have given him about two weeks to live. It seems he has run out of treatment options. That was a week ago. I saw Josh last Friday night. Josh wanted to have a get together/party so that he could be with his friends and family. There was a huge turn out and I think Josh really appreciated having so many friends come to see him. Josh is still hanging in there but his condition is deteriorating. He is receiving hospic treatment at home.
Josh is the bravest person I have ever known, he is truly my hero. I am determined to raise the $1700.00 and complete this marathon or half marathon. I will walk the whole course if that's what it takes. At this point I have raised $787.00 so I have a little less than a $1000.00 to go. Thank you very much to all who have donated so far!
Here's the link to make online donations: http://www.active.com/donate/tntcoh/tntcohRHunter
THANKS!
Rob Hunter
I've had a little set back in the training with a few injuries. Basically, old climb, running and ultimate frisbee injuries in my right leg have come back to haunt me as I increased my mileage. So after a few doctor visits and some physical therapy, I am back to running short distances. At this point, I may have to settle with only running the half marathon but I will wait and see how things go as I re-increase my mileage and try to catch back up to the full marathon training schedule.
My Team in Training "hero", Josh Topy has receive some grave news. Josh's leukemia has return and the doctors have given him about two weeks to live. It seems he has run out of treatment options. That was a week ago. I saw Josh last Friday night. Josh wanted to have a get together/party so that he could be with his friends and family. There was a huge turn out and I think Josh really appreciated having so many friends come to see him. Josh is still hanging in there but his condition is deteriorating. He is receiving hospic treatment at home.
Josh is the bravest person I have ever known, he is truly my hero. I am determined to raise the $1700.00 and complete this marathon or half marathon. I will walk the whole course if that's what it takes. At this point I have raised $787.00 so I have a little less than a $1000.00 to go. Thank you very much to all who have donated so far!
Here's the link to make online donations: http://www.active.com/donate/tntcoh/tntcohRHunter
THANKS!
Rob Hunter
"Climbing is the spice, not the meal." ~ Lurkist
