i thought i posted this earlier....

I have no idea why it didnt post ???

I wanted to wish you all the best of luck in Chicago this weekend.

I am unable to make it as I am now 22 weeks pregnant and my OB has restricted me to no more than 8 miles at a time.

GOOD LUCK in your run for hope.

Christine Law

Training Check in from Stacy

Hi everyone!

Just thought I would check in and see how training is going! October will be here before we know it!

We, Jon and I, are learning that this is a major commitment! It is easy to forget we are working towards 26.2 miles in the midst of a busy summer. Reality check for us- little 4 mile runs aren't going to cut it anymore- you have to really be intentional to manage your time around running. Sometimes I still can't believe I signed up to do this, I am excited though!

I have had some great long runs, and some rough runs. There were a few humid days that weren't so pleasant! I will need to start increasing my mileage fast! My method has always been based more off time than miles, because I know my pace pretty well. By the end of next week- my goal is to complete a 2 hour run, which for me is about 13 miles. Also, I have been meaning to sign up for a 1/2 marathon in August to keep me motivated... hope I can still get in!

Would love to hear how training is going! We are a team after all, right? Let's be in touch!

Keep your eyes on the prize!!!

Hello to our CHI Marathon Team Members!

Greetings to all of you!

Our team goal is threefold -

First is to get our CHI name out there for all the world to see. Let everyone know that Children's Hope International cares and works for Homes, Health and Hope for children throughout the world.

Second is to raise $10,000 for CHI's Greatest Need Fund, providing immediate material aid, medical, nutritional, educational and social assistance to children in desperate circumstance.

Third is to have a lot of fun running for the first two!
________________________________

The response to our initial invitation has been most encouraging. We have CHI runners from all over the country expressing serious interest in running the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon for Children's Hope International.

Registration -

Go ahead and register immediately as the race is limited to 45,000 runners and fills up fast. (VERY FAST). Bank of America expects registration to close in April. Type Children's Hope International in the fill-in box after the drop-down list of charity names.

Click here to register online.

Click here for a downloadable mail-in registration form (PDF).

Click here to confirm your registration.

Once you are registered, please email me with your confirmation number.

CHI Communication -

1) Open the PDF of the Children's Hope Chicago Marathon poster by clicking the link above or the one on the blog sidebar. Print out copies at home and use them to publicize your efforts in your health club, church, family gathering (Easter Dinner?), etc. Use it to recruit runners and sponsors for your own run. If you are sponsored for over $500, you may choose to have CHI reimburse you for your registration fee of $110.

2) This CHI Run for Hope blog is a medium to communicate with one another as well as with committed and prospective sponsors. All you need to contribute is a confirmed registration to run and a Google account (if you do not already have one, simply follow the provided instructions in your blog author invitation.) You may add photos and information about yourself on your profile and share through your posts. You may add photos, video and links in your post, too. Let us know you want to blog! Your invitation is waiting.

3) Please talk this up among your friends and family. We need to recruit runners and sponsors in order to help children in desperate circumstances. It's the kids who make it all worthwhile.

I hope you are all as excited as I am. Keep thinking about the kids as you do your training for this event. Remember to pray for them and for each other as we all get ready to RUN FOR HOPE!

Mary House
Children's Hope International - Chicago