*** Thank you everyone, we've hit $2,000! *** But don't forget - this fundraiser ends October 31st so there's still time to show your support!  You can also track Mirriam's race progress this Sunday by signing up for text msg or email alerts at: http://www.marinemarathon.com/race_info/Results/remote_runner_tracking.htm

Good luck, Mirriam!

Hi everyone -

Yes, I'm really going to run the Marine Corps marathon this year -- and, to keep me on my toes, I'm asking you to join me in supporting a great cause: The Albany Medical Center Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Program,  (c/o: The Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc.) in honor of Annabel Scarlett Powell.

Many of you know our friends' daughter, Annabel, was born in 2006 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a life-threatening congenital heart defect (CHD). She has braved two open heart surgeries and receives amazing care at The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. She will have her third open heart surgery in the spring.

Annabel's parents, Susie & Seth, have started a fundraising site www.annabelsheart.blogspot.com (raising money for CHD research and equipment) and have dared me to kick things off by keeping up my training long enough to actually do this marathon!  Since Annabel will turn two years old on October 24th, it makes perfect sense that I'd run this crazy Marine Corps on October 26th in honor of all Annabel's strength and energy.

Please sponsor me! It will give me an extra burst of motivation when my feet are hurting...

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too! Let's reach our goal by race day!

Love, Mirriam

...& "Team Klinowski" (Drue, Yonas, Yacob)