Final Countdown (insert dramatic music here)

We are entering what could officially be called the final stretch of this journey, with 11 days before we take our foot tour of New Orleans. It's hard to believe that this months-long journey is coming to an end. But the end of one journey just leads to the beginning of another. And I can't wait to see what the future holds!

From a training standpoint things have been going very well. We had our longest training run ever the weekend before last, the full marathoners ran 20 miles (actually 20.72; apparently they took a wrong turn somewhere) and the half-marathoners (that's me) did 9 miles. At the risk of waxing nostalgic, I can remember not that long ago when running 4 miles was a struggle and it was very gratifying to come to the end of that long run and feel like I could have kept going. The cheers from the volunteer rest stop at the end (and the Powerbar gels, yum Double Latte...) made it worth getting out of bed so early that day. If finishing 9 miles was that personally satisfying I can't wait to see what it feels like to finish 13.1 with a large cheering section!

Fundraising has been going fairly well. TNT staffed the concession stands at the sold out Tim McGraw/Lady Antebellum concert here in Madison the other day, the caterer at the Alliant Energy Center (http://www.alliantenergycenter.com) donated a portion of the profits (and any tips) to the TNT members that worked to help meet our fundraising goals. I don't have an official count yet, but if the volume of beer sold is any indication we raked it in. My hand's still sore from opening all those bottles, I have a new respect for bartenders. This weekend we are working the concessions for the Zor Shrine Circus that's in town, hopefully that will help me meet the last of my goal. I'm scheduled to work the Circus from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, which is gonna make for a long day. I joke that I'll be wearing the red nose and clown shoes by the end of it, but it's kinda neat to see all the excited kids enjoying the show.

On a personal note, after years of illness and several difficult months in the nursing home, my paternal grandfather Frank Leystra passed away 2 weeks ago. Although I haven't mentioned Frank in my blogs previously, he struggled with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) in the last years of his life. I had hoped that he would hang in there long enough for me to show him a picture of me crossing the finish line, helping ensure that others do not suffer as he did, but I know that he will be cheering me on from above. He was a wonderful, caring, funny man who never liked to complain and was always ready with a hug whenever he saw you. He's left a huge hole in the lives of all his kids, grandkids, and will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy. Do me a favor, in Frank's honor give someone you love a big hug today and let them know how much they mean to you.

Peace.