Please support my
   100 mile effort for The Snowdrop Ultra 55 hour Race and Relay which benefits
   childhood cancer.  Last
   year's event raised $164,000 and donations toward my run contributed over
   $5,500.
    
   I'm doing it again
   in under 4 weeks.  Your support was
   overwhelming and it would be unfair for me not to continue to fundraise.  All of your support, combined with the
   experience of last year's event drove me to continue to train.  That included a few marathons, a 50k, a 50
   miler, and over two years of never missing running at least a half marathon a
   weekend.
    
   I decided to run
   last year because my friend’s daughter Lexie was diagnosed with Cancer and I
   selfishly related it to the impact it would have on my daughter, and my
   family.  It's unimaginable for me to even
   try to understand the hardships her and her family have to endure.  I'm happy to report Lexie has been in
   remission since May 2018.  The effects of
   treatment will last her lifetime.  She
   still has to get frequent scans, which I'm sure creates a level of unrest,
   uncertainty, and anxiety for the family. 
    
   Last
   year, I was able to complete 100 miles in 42 hours (64 out of 146 solo
   runners).  The male winner went 205 miles, the female winner set a course
   record with 204 miles, and the relay team winner went 443 miles combined. 
   Other notable achievements included a childhood cancer survivor who ran 176
   miles, a 16-year-old 100 mile finisher, a 83 year old who ran 60 miles, and
   wheelchair participate who reached 94 miles.  The race had an incredible
   volunteer army that made sure all runners were equipped to meet their goals.
    
   This
   was definitely the hardest physical challenge I've endured.  I wasn't even
   close to prepared for the physical or mental tests it took to get to the
   end.  The various episodes of pain seemed insurmountable, between plantar
   fasciitis, blisters, cramps, and bruises. Incomparable to any type of pain,
   challenge, or actual battle that any child/family with cancer endures. 
    
   I’m lucky enough to
   have an incredible sister and brother-in-law. They started the Snowdrop Foundation after meeting an amazing teenage
   girl named Chelsey who was fighting cancer at a radio-thon at Texas Children’s Hospital.    She lost that fight, and it has motivated
   them to do some pretty awesome things in her memory.  One of their events is featured in a
   documentary called Dear Chelsey which follows my brother-in-law Kevin Kline
   running across the state of Texas.  His
   latest adventure, Delivering Hope, was a 300 mile run on the Dalton Highway
   (from Ice Road Truckers) and carried over 1,800 children's cancer patients
   names with him to the top of the world raising around over $200,000 on the way.
    
   Kevin’s ultra runs
   provide a platform for Snowdrop to raise awareness for childhood cancer.  Since 2006, the Snowdrop Foundation has
   donated nearly a million dollars.  Seven
   years ago, Kevin recruited other ultra-runners and created the Snowdrop Ultra
   55 Hour Race and Relay in Houston Texas. I actually volunteered at one of these events and specifically remember
   how exhausting it was as a non-participate. I didn't return until last year…
    
   If you are planning
   a donation before the end of the year, please consider Snowdrop.  Your money is going to great cause, is tax
   deductible, and will help drive me across the finish line.