Our decision to get healthy in the last year has not been without struggles - cutting back (or cutting out) on the foods we love, getting up early to exercise. We're really lucky to get to take charge of our health, and have reaped the rewards: more energy, less weight, and a new life perspective. We chose to begin training for a half-marathon as the next step, and something that we can do together. While 13.2 miles sounds overwhelming as we begin our third week of training, we are confident that by Spring 2010, we'll be crossing the finish line together, with smiles on our faces. While we're doing the marathon for ourselves, our health and for our committment to each other, we wanted our hard work to be of benefit to others. This led to our decision to raise money for an organization we felt is doing good in the world. As many of you already know, our niece Victoria began battling leukemia at the age of 3 and lost her battle on 2/21/2010 at the age of 7 1/2. We have heard about and met too many other children from whom a "normal childhood" is taken, and replaced with doctor's appointments, chemotherapy, radiation and illness. For some, it's taken their lives as well. We run in memory of Victoria and all of those who have been lost. Alex's Lemonade Stand is funding research projects/programs that are working toward the eradication of pediatric cancer. It's something that Jon & I believe in, and hope we can have your support. We are running for many reasons, but we are also running for a purpose. Thank you for your support of our endevor, and for helping us to meet our fundraising goal. Jon & Julie Sharp