Today was a georgeous run along the beach in Santa Monica and Venice.  As the team started out, I decided to join the "run/walk" group of about 10 people.  As we approached our second interval (4 min run, 1 min walk), the group had already dispersed and I now found myself alongside 5 teammates.  Among them was Meghan Harrigan.  As we ran a bit further, Meghan and I had broken away from the remainder of the group and were now on our own pace.  Though we both agreed that "continuous talking while running" was not our style, I couldn't help but ask her questions. 

Meghan is another Honored Teammate - that means, Leukemia Survivor.  Just a little over a year ago she began her remission.  I recall hearing about her story in 2007 from my friends Kyle and Carrie Garlett.  Meghan had joined TNT to fundraise and participate in the Malibu Triathlon.  Shortly after her training began, Meghan was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  At about the same time, Meghan was considering taking a new job that was ideal for her.  However, by doing so, she would become uninsured as there was no Employer sponsored health coverage.  As Meghan and I ran, we discussed this and A) how "lucky" she was to not have taken that job, B) how she was diagnosed with Stage 1, and C) how she was already involved with TNT.

Though Meghan's treatments are now over, her fight continues on.  As she states, she has a "new normal" to learn for everything.  The treatments were harsh on her lungs and she now has asthma.  Our 42 minute run was a reasonable pace for me and even though Meghan was never more than a foot ahead or behind me, she felt it was a bit tough.  Even if I didn't feel like running this beautiful day, I discovered that there is no room for complaints from me....especially when I am pacing a Survivor!

GO MEGHAN!!