I haven't posted for a bit and there's so much to say. So, I'm going to cover today and then write more tomorrow about all these darn hills we've been running. Today I went for a run outside -- during our two hour break from the rain. I really like running outside and I'm so glad the weather's improving because I've really had enough of the boring treadmill.

Today I had intended to run about 2.8 miles. Yes, I'd mapped it out first. But while out running I forgot to look for my turn around and found myself at Fisherman's Warf. It was a really lovely run. In fact, you can look at my route at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=88824.

And now, some really important info. Thank you to everyone for your incredible support: Margie $20, Fergal $50, Rosanne $150, Eva $25, Kelly $50, Shari $25, Joe $50, Donald $100, Isabel $25, Grams $500, Beth $50, Ilisa $100.

AIDS Marathon total to date: $353,060

Your generous contributions: $2,205

We ARE making a difference. Thank you. And please, tell your friends. They too can be part of this awesome drive to end the suffering cause by HIV/AIDS.

I just received my first update to my fundraising account. (Last week the foundation had some technical difficulties). I have to say, I am in awe and can’t remember having felt happier on a Monday morning. Thank you for your support and donations. In just one week you’ve added $1,160 to the cause. You are magnificent. I’d like to thank Rachel E. ($50), Leo ($100), Jeff Mi. ($50), Edmond M. ($100), Doug S. ($200), Kevin & Mark ($200), Mom & Dad ($360), Roy H. ($100) for making such a difference for those living with HIV/AIDS. You are our Heroes!

I’m sure more of you have donated, so please if I haven’t had the pleasure of thanking you yet know that thanks are on their way. It generally takes several business days for even online donations to post.

This week we had an 8 mile run, 4 of which were uphill. You know the hill, the Cliff House hill. It’s a real kicker. I ended up running 6 because of some stomach problems (lack of salts) and had the pleasure of meeting several people from different teams, sharing fundraising ideas and encouraging others to still feel proud of themselves for doing this, even when they’re having an off day. I think that was my real purpose for Saturday, rather than my scheduled 8 miles.

This Saturday, we’re running 10. Wow! Keep your fingers crossed for us to have good weather. And thank you all for your support.

So, how are we doing toward our $ 1 million goal?

AIDS Marathon total to date: $218,612.00

You are wonderful. Keep the support coming and we’ll keep running :)

Cheers,
Leigh

Last Saturday’s run was great. It started out really hard. I had only run once in the previous three weeks and I had seven miles in front of me. Thanks to the encouragement and energy of my team, the Fine Mickis, somewhere around mile three things started to come together (and the ground started to flatten out). This Saturday, we’ll be running 8 miles and doing hills. Yikes!

Yesterday, I sent out my first round of fundraising emails and within minutes Rachel E. became my first contributor, pledging $50. Thanks, Rachel. And last night I received an email from Edmond that he had pledged $100. You two are outta-sight!

Thus far, we’ve raised $199,309.00 towards our goal of $1 million. Thanks for everyone’s support.

This evening I went on my first run in nearly three weeks. I came down with a cough that turned into bronchitis that sent me to the hospital and landed me on steriods. Ick. So, enough about the cough -- the good stuff: I had my first run and it felt really good. It was harder than I'm used to and I ran much slower.

I set out with a goal of running for 20 minutes. I figured that was a reasonable goal that wouldn't lead directly to injury. Of course, in my head, I wanted to run for 45 minutes at 6mph. So, you can imagine I was rather pleased with myself for sticking to the original goal and easing back into training.

In the end, I did a little warm up and cool down and two miles. :) I return to running with my team on Saturday and we'll be running 7 miles. We're four weeks into training and it's time for me to kick my fundraising into high gear.

We sincerely need your help to fight HIV/AIDS and your donation with my running will help end the suffering. You head over to my AIDS Marathon donation page and leave a buck or two and I'll hit the road and log some miles.

Remember, like my run, the fight against the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS is a marathon - we're in it for the long haul. No donation is too small because they all add up to millions of dollars of support, one dollar at a time.