Today is for You Matt

3 years ago today I lost one of my best friends. Matt Meyer was 35 years old and developed a brain tumor at the age of 32. I remember my wife calling me and telling me that Matt was down in Baltimore on a business trip, had passed out and was in a city hospital. I had been on my way to work and simply continued driving to Baltimore.

I was in the room when he and Doris received the news. The X-Rays showed an early stage brain tumor. Needless to say, we were all devastated, and that night started a 3 year fight that showed me what's really important in life. Matt fought valiently. He and Doris went down to Duke University almost every week for treatment. Sometimes I went with them. Sometimes, he hitched "Angel rides," from local pilots flying south, who would transfer him from plane to plane until he and Doris arrived.

I remember when local sportcaster Glenn Brenner died of a brain tumor and how Gordon Peterson said that it would be a lie to say that Glenn did not suffer. He did. But he did so with grace. Same with Matt. How frightening it must have been to face leaving his family and this world. But he faced it with grace and dignity and a sense of humor too. I remember the levity in the air as all 3 of us talked about his funeral plans.

And then, 3 years ago today, I got a message from Doris. And later that week, we said goodbye to Matt.

I said Goodbye to a dear friend
My son said goodbye to his Godfather
Doris and the boys said goodbye to a dad and husband
June said goodbye to her son
and the world said goodbye to a real hero.

There has not been a day that has passed that I have not thought of Matt. I find pennies constantly. Doris said he always talked about "pennies from heaven." I know that they are from Matt.


My run was in tribute and memory to you Matt. You can pay him tribute today by your kindness to others and in remembering your loved ones that have made your life special.

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 14.5
Total 2007 Training Miles: 172
Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 903
ONE DAY AT A TIME

900 Miles

Wow.

I am so grateful for all the support that I have received in the past year and 4 months. I would have never dreamed of going a distance of 900 miles since then let alone 10! I am most pleased that this achievement is part of a bigger one objective: helping fight the diseases of AIDS and Leukemia and Lymphoma.

I plan on continuing until I cant do it anymore!

Thank you for your support!

Please consider a donation at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 1.4
Total 2007 Training Miles: 169
Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 900

I'm resigned

My fellow Americans, I am resigned to the fact that giving to help fight the terrible diseases of Leukemia and Lymphoma is good thing.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go tell "Dubya" about this resignation. In the meantime, be resigned like me! Consider a donation at:P

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Great 3 miles this morning. A bit cooler and it felt great! Pace improving nicely. I am looking forward to fall temperatures!

Thank you for your support!

Please consider a donation at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Thank you for your support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 14
Total 2007 Training Miles: 166
Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 897

Long Run of 15 miles

Whew, that was a long run I just completed around the wyatt howse...Ma fellow amuricans, I hope yer havin' a good summer. I just got back from visitin' my mama and daddy up in Maine. They asked me to remind you to donate to a real good charity:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

I've been very concerned about being behind in all my training. I've missed several long runs. I am thrilled to report that all changed today. It cooled down signifigantly here at the beach this afternoon as I set out to run 10 miles. I ended up running 15, and feeling like I could do another 5. It felt terrific. I am now 6 miles away from breaking 900 miles since last May. My path took me through the Northern Outer Banks to where they road actually ends and beach acess begins. The sand is actually considered a continuation of Highway 12. I ran out of water after 8 miles and stopped at a convenience store and filled up (Camelback holds about 25 ounces). It was the best run I can remember in a long long time.

Thanks to Liz Tardif and Sarah Szabo for donating. Please consider a donation at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Thank you for your support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 13.4
Total 2007 Training Miles: 163
Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 894

It's Hot Hot Hot....

That's right it's hot hot hot.....everybody...join in...hot hot hot, donate now and feel real hot, hot hot hot...

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Way too hot today....Brutal. 3 miles nonentheless. Only 2 months to the marathon and the longest run I have completed is 12 miles about a month ago. I have missed the 14 miler and will miss the 16 miler this upcoming Saturday. But, I have remained consistent on the 3 milers. I am getting with the program coaches to figure out my plan for the next 60 days.

Thanks for your support!

LEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 13
Total 2007 Training Miles: 148
Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 879

5 Pircint....

"That's right...this here darlin', the luv of mah life, is giving 5% of all the cash that she and that feller git for gittin' hitched. Yessir, she's summin special."

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole


7 straight days of exercise and I am tired. Slow 3 miles today, mostly walking. 2 days break now and I will be back.

Thank you for your support!


PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 12.5

Total 2007 Training Miles: 145

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 876

Rainy Day Trinds

"Now, here I'mma showin yas the upward trinds of Dan Cole's fundraisin'. If yer looka over here, you can see that my embrella reaches fare and low at the bottom and goes up. Great trinds, I'll tell yer that much...Its spactackular....please give wontcha?"

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Sometimes the rain feels awesome. It did so today. Was able to get in three around the neighborhood and the rain helped alot. Great pace. Feeling good.


I am still having a good time.

Thanks for your support





PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 12.4

Total 2007 Training Miles: 142

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 873

You Tell Him George...

"Justa dough-nayshun Karl, that's all Ima askin"

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

Another run in Old Town Alexandria today with significantly less humidity. It felt great. Everything feels great. My only concern is that I have missed 2 long runs now: 8 miles last Saturday and 14 miles the week before. I will miss the 16 mile run this Saturday and the 8 mile recovery run next week. I plan to make it all up though, and as I do, it will bring me up around the 900 mile mark since last May.

Thanks for your donation Allyson!!!

Back on Thursday...


PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 12.2

Total 2007 Training Miles: 139

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 870

Bridging the Gap ( between what, I dont know)

A very hot 3 miles today in Old Town Alexandria. Ran all the way to the Wilson Bridge. I remember the year they started work on the bridge, that very day, I ran there and saw the TV reporters covering it. 6 years later, there was still some construction going on there.

Happy to have another 3 miles down.

Thannks Jace, Allison and Tony for your donations this morning!

PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 12.1

Total 2007 Training Miles: 136

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 867

"Summer Runnin',,,had me a blast..."

Another night run. I enjoy these. Very quiet, very calming. Very, very hot tonight.

Another 3 miles down...

Thank you to all who continue to support the cause. I think of you and the cause as I run.



PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 12.1

Total 2007 Training Miles: 133

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 864

See It If you Have Not

Watched this movie on the plane this week. It was excellent.



3 miles tonight. It felt really good. I was jut not able to work out this week except for Wednesday. My pace was strong and the heat was not a factor.

I look forward to more training runs this week. We leave for the beach next Saturday....



PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 12

Total 2007 Training Miles: 130

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 861

3 Miles with Some Heroes

3 miles inside again today since I have the kids. I ran on the treadmill while watching "Heroes" which I downloaded onto my iPod. Not the easiest thing to do while you run, but it made the time go by faster. I love this show and I am through 3 episodes. Great plot. Reminds me of LOST

This week will once again be a a tough one to manage training.

Monday will most likely be out in the morning since I have to take one child to camp in the early am on the way to work.

Tuesday I work out with a trainer.

Wednesday, I should be able to run

Thursday I am out

Friday I am out

Saturday is a training run of 14 miles which I do not know if I can make. So a very iffy week for me.

I plan to find a way though. I'll just have to make the time!



PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 11.1

Total 2007 Training Miles: 127

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 858

Just Me and the Kids.....2 miles from the Gym Today

Unable to make group training today because I am watching the kids while the wife is out of town. 2 miles inside at the gym accompanied by weights. At this point, I am planning on doing another 3 miles from the gym again tomorrow. If I am able I will do the 8 mile recovery run from home at 5am on Monday. Not sure I will be able to or not.



PLEASE DONATE TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA at:

www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaDCole

thank you for you support!

Total 2007 Training Weeks: 11

Total 2007 Training Miles: 124

Total Miles since beginning training in May, 2006: 855