Team in Training – First Month’s Progress

Well…. I am up and RUNNING! A month ago when I accepted the challenge to train for my first marathon and raise $5000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. There are times in life when you just need to make a decision and worry about the details later. Joining the Team in Training was one of those times for me.

During the month the magnitude of this task has become evident. First I did a little reading on marathon running and found this quote by Lance Armstrong describing the 26.2 mile run as “without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done.” Next was a more disturbing realization that Ryan Shay pictured here in a photo I took at the New Haven Road Race died just two months later running in the Olympic Trials before the NYC Marathon. This is scary stuff when a world class athlete considers the marathon to be physically demanding or dies running a race.

My next eye opening thought was how to raise $5000! I have given to many causes over the years but never organized any fund-raising effort. Running the numbers I figured if I break it down into small donations I should be able to accomplish this task. My initial mailing of about 300 letters brought in contributions of $1620 from 33 Friends, Family & Business Associates.

Please help by making a tax-deductible donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A secure web-site accepts credit card contributions or you can email Dan@CummingsTeam.com for postal mailing instructions if you’d prefer to send a check.

Team in Training – Two Week Update

During the first two weeks of my affiliation with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training most of my time has been spent preparing for the fund-raising.

While I was busy composing letters my wife helped out by emailing a few friends and family which brought in a quick base of funds.  My next step was to compile a list of people I knew that might help support my effort to raise $5000 for blood cancer research.  The first batch of 150 letters hit the mail at the end of my first week and contributions hit 20% of my goal.

In addition to getting my letters mailed I also sent a press release to a few of the local newspapers and the North Haven Advisor published it in their January 29th edition.   I haven’t seen results from the publication but I did run into an old aquaintance from the days when my sons played youth hockey and she mentioned reading about my fund-raising while training.

This morning we had our first group run and meeting with the coaches that will be providing guidance for the next 4 months.  The sun was shining but cool temps created hazardous conditions on Hamden Canal Trail so plan “B” went into affect for a less icy road route.

I still have a long haul to build my endurance to run the Rock-n-Roll Marathon but also must reach the financial goal.  Please help by making a contribution at my secure DONATION site or email me ( Dan@CummingsTeam.com ) for mailing instructions if you prefer to support my effort with a check to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Rock-n-Roll Marathon – Team in Training

On January 1st when I sat in my office waiting to run the Frosty 5k in Guilford my thoughts of a running goal for the year was not well defined. At the end of my first year running I did a 5 miles, my second year’s goal was completion of a half marathon and at the beginning of my third year a full 26.2 mile marathon seemed huge. Initially my idea was to call it a plateau year and just stick to my 5k events and try another half hoping to improve my time.

One of the first pieces of mail I received in 2008 was from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society inviting me to learn more about their Team in Training and I noticed the Fairfield Half Marathon that I thought I would run for the second time was an event in which they were involved so I attended the meeting.

Learning that Team in Training provides the largest fundraiser for the society and this is their 20th Anniversary with an event scheduled shortly after my 50th Birthday I decided 2008 was the year of my marathon fate. This spring I will build my endurance to complete the 26.2 mile Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego.

In additon to many many training miles before the event I need to raise a bit of cash. The Team in Training along with help from Active.com povides any easy and secure method of making CONTRIBUTIONS.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society’s mission. Your contribution regardless of size provides me the encouragement needed to reach the finish line and gives researchers the financial backing to find a cure.

Contact Dan Cummings – The Running Realtor via email to Dan@CummingsTeam.com if you would prefer to send a check for your tax deductible contribution to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Dan Cummings – Connecticut Running Realtor

Welcome to my personal profile page. This site offers an interactive opportunity to learn more about the Connecticut Shoreline Real Estate market and me. My blog postings offer a variety of subjects from personal interests to real estate tips.As you can see by the photo’s my latest endeavor includes running. This started in the fall of 2005 as casual dinner conversation with friends and evolved into a year round hobby. In 2007 my goal was to finish a Half Marathon so in June I ran the Fairfield Half and had so much fun that in October I ran the Greater Hartford Half Marathon trimming a minute per mile off my time. At this stage I’m thinking I should stick with the 13.1 mile run and work on speed for 2008.

I’m always running around the Connecticut Shoreline so if you need assistance Buying or Selling a home in my territory just remember to google Dan Cummings, The Running Realtor or email Dan@CummingsTeam.com