Erin Rose: Why I Run

It's that time of year again!

The Little Team that Could has officially begun training for our 5th Country Music Half Marathon in a row! This is my third year to run the race and I couldn't be more excited about all that this event brings to my life...spreading the word about Carcinoid research, planning the race and event parties with the team, all of those long LONG Saturday training runs, all of those wonderful WONDERFUL post-training run breakfasts, and simply the opportunity to watch winter turn into spring as we put our hearts and energies into something much greater than ourselves.

This team was originally formed out of loss.  As my best friend Sarah "Peppy" Farnell struggled through the pain of losing her sister to Carcinoid cancer, she turned to this race as a meaningful way to heal.  After losing my own father to an equally rare and incurable Sarcoma cancer almost exactly 2 years ago, I found myself responding to the cause in much the same way.   Yet over the years, I am so pleased to say, The Little Team that Could has grown and developed into so much more.

Each year, the team gets a little bigger, our bodies (and hearts) get a little stronger, and  amazingly it always brings something new to our lives.  This year Peppy, our remarkable team captain, is placing emphasis not simply on what we have lost, but all that we still have and especially all that we've gained.  I want to echo her tone of celebration and express my incredible pride and gratitude at being apart of something so special.

I am ever grateful for the support that my friends and family have shown me over the years. I can't properly put into writing how much all of the words of encouragement, donations, trips to see the race, and this year my sister Kellie actually joining the team, has meant to me.  If you have supported me in the past or are considering doing so now, please know that you have already given me so much more than a simple donation.  I truly thank you with all of the joy in my heart.

Please consider making a donation at our fundraising site.  Thank you again!

Love, love,
Erin