When I ran my first marathon in 1998, it was an overwhelming experience. Marathons were still a mysterious event that had yet to gain the popularity that has come in the past few years. Rubbing shoulders with hard core runners, learning about gear and immersing myself in the running culture was...interesting.

The Chicago Marathon is a multi-day event with an expo, carb loading parties, after parties...it just keeps going. That weekend, as a novice runner, I kept seeing people in the same purple bib. I was on such sensory overload and nervous about running that I didn’t give it much thought.

The marathon came and went - and unlike the first Greek runner, I survived.

I also promised myself I’d never run another marathon again. Why tempt fate?

A year later, that promise was broken and I decided I was going to run in 2000. As I considered the race, I stumbled across images of runners in those purple bibs and found out they were part of a team. Running is a notoriously lonely sport, so the idea of a team was intriguing.

Curiosity piqued, I went to an informational meeting for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training (TNT).

It was an interesting approach to fundraising- and this was before Marathons were mainstream. TNT provided a support base, coaches and advice, which was all so helpful as there wasn’t much information available on how to survive a marathon.

What I didn’t expect is that joining TNT would provide the greatest incentive to run my ass off.

He was an 8-year-old boy from a neighboring suburb named Nicholas. Nicholas was a happy little boy. Nicholas loved baseball.

Nicholas had leukemia.

I got the opportunity to spend a few afternoons with Nicholas as I learned about both the history of the Chicago Cubs and blood diseases.

I was able to raise a good amount from friends and family - as part of my fundraising, I wrote names of my sponsors on my race day shirt.

I could have sworn that the purple bib, the ink from the names and my memories of Nicholas helped me run a little faster and last a little longer.

Wearing that purple bib on race day is a symbol that you are part of something greater. Part of a team. One unexpected perk was that as I ran through the streets of Chicago, there were TNT supporters and volunteers....and once they saw the purple it was on. They would cheer as if I was their best friend. At the end of the race as I teetered on the edge of hypothermia and exhaustion, it was the medics in the TNT tent that nursed me back to health.

If you ever stupid enough courageous and want to run a Marathon, I would encourage you to consider joining a charity team - there are now almost 200 in Chicago alone. Not only will you gain a community to push you, but you will run that 26.2 miles with a purpose and mission.

More About TNT + LLS

TNT has become the leader in endurance sports training for charity, funding significant therapies like chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, which have a significant impact on blood cancer patients. TNT and LLS fundraising efforts through marathons, triathlons, cycling and hiking are making cures happen. Coaches will expand your fitness level with workouts, nutrition and hydration clinics. And you'll have staff members to help with fundraising support.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), founded in 1949, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS created the Information Resource Center (IRC) to provide blood cancer patients, their families and health professionals accurate, current disease information and support. IRC information specialists are social workers, nurses and health educators.