Can't. Feel. My. Legs.

That's a lie. I can feel my legs and they HURT. That's right. All caps HURT.

And you know what I found out yesterday? Running outside is awesome. It totally beats running on a treadmill. In fact, I love it so much that I'm going to need you to combine your efforts with mine, put those dainty little hands of yours together (maybe kneel beside your bed if you're at home and feeling frisky) and pray for this gorgeous weather to continue and/or last more than a day and a half.

Ready? Aaaand GO! Oh, and while you're there, pray for my legs. Thanks.

Ok and now I have another favor. I know, I know. I'm pretty demanding. Could be why I'm still single. Maybe. (Probably not though.)

If you've been reading my blog over the last month, you know I have recently made the commitment to help raise money on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) by running a half marathon with Team In Training. I've pledged to raise money to help LLS fund research to find a cure for blood related cancers and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

I've not had to personally deal with the pain of knowing someone who has a blood cancer, but this journey has definitely shed some light on it that I wasn't aware of before. In fact, did you know that every 10 minutes, two people learn they have Leukemia, Lymphoma, or other blood related cancers? That's more than 300 people a day. Is one of them your friend or family member?

Meet Morgan. Miss Morgan Snowden is my honored hero. She is a 9 year old girl who who was diagnosed in 2007 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This precious individual is the reason I am committing myself to this goal. With this inspiration how can I not fight my way to the finish line? It is a chance to embody a glimmer of hope for those who are battling blood cancers and to remember those who have lost their battles.

So here's where my favor comes in. I need YOU to help me raise money to find a cure. We can do it. The five year survival rate for blood cancers has has nearly quadrupled in the past 48 years for patients with leukemia. And a large part of that is due to the people like you who donate to help fund research for a cure. This past December, Morgan was able to ring the survivor's bell, signaling the end of her treatment. What a blessing!

Join me in this fight today! I'll do the hard part- training and running 13 miles (remember my legs? They hurt!) if you'll just visit my fundraising page and donate. The most honest thing I can say to you is that no donation is too small. Each dollar counts.

Click Here For My Fundraising Page

I appreciate everyone's support and I hope you'll check back often for updates. I have reached 65% of my goal, but I need your help to make it 100%. Thank you!


Yours 'til the amusement parks,

Lacy Ward

Everyone that donates will get a Jersey Shore fist pump in their honor when I cross the finish line

Firstly, I just have to shout out loud from the proverbial rooftops that I AM SO EXCITED TO BE AT 22% IN MY FUNDRAISING GOAL!! And I'm only two weeks into this! I mean, that is really great, and I simply couldn't have done it without all you heros! So thank you to the most wonderful people who've donated. I genuinely appreciate every single one of you who've either donated to LLS, supported or applauded my efforts in running this marathon, and/or brought me Starbucks coffee when I so desperately needed it (which turns out to be all day long, every day... thanks a lot, Starbucks. As Jake Gyllenhal so famously said in Brokeback Mountain: Starbucks, I wish I could quit you.)

Some of you might be wondering how training is going. Am I following my schedule? Or do I give the treadmill a sideways glance, shrug my shoulders and turn on American Idol instead? Well, my friends, the good news is that I am training and I've got blisters to prove it! So have faith! With every donation and word of support I become more and more determined to stay on track and meet my goals. I am taking this very seriously. I even got me some fancy new running pants!

Speaking of blisters and running pants, I discovered there are quite a lot of things that runners need that you'd never think of, like blister powder for your socks (which obviously, I've yet to purchase) and moisture wicking clothing so that when you're running you can stay mostly dry and comfortable (hence, my fancy new running pants). And let me just say I kind of feel for the male runners, because of two awkward little words that our instructors told us about at the Kickoff Party. 

Nipple Guards. 

Yeah. Nipple guards. Apparently, the guys have to wear them to prevent nipple chafing when they run and I can't help but say I find it kind of funny. I mean, the image that comes to mind when I hear "nipple guards" is pasties. I can't help it. Sometimes my immaturity prevails. Also, our coaches told us that on race day you'll see plenty of guys out there who, bless their sweet chests, didn't know nipple guards were a necessary item and will have blood trails down their shirts. Am I the only one who finds that kind of funny? Just me? Figures. Thank God for sports bras, is all I can say.

You know what else? I learned that cyclists don't wear underwear. They're going commando under all that spandex. Who knew?? TNT, you've taught me so much.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week and are praying for sunshine as much as I am. Group training should be this week if weather permits, which will be great because we haven't had an official team training day yet. I'm ready to see my teammates! Please be on the lookout for upcoming fundraising activities! I'm hoping to come up with some pretty fun stuff.

As always, if you'd like to donate online, please visit my fundraising website at http://pages.teamintraining.org/ok/okcity10/LaceFace or mail your donation to 200 W. 15th, Edmond, Ok 73103 Attn Lacy. You all are wonderful!

Yours til the banana splits,

Lacy