Rachel Aldrich: www.msrunstheus.com

I wanted to send you a couple pictures of me in my I Run This Body shirt! I wore it for the JFK 50 Mile last weekend, and it was the perfect shirt for the day. I was mentally tough the entire way and kept running even when my body wanted to rest. When I had a tough moment, all I had to do was look down and say, “I run this body,” to remind myself that I can do whatever I dream. And that day, my dream was to finish my first 50 miler in less than 10 hours—I did just that, finishing in 9:50:54. When I ordered my shirt you mentioned that this race was on your bucket list—do it! It was an incredible experience, and I intended on applying to be back next year. I LOVE marathons, but I do want to run 50’s and 100’s on a fairly regular basis within a few years, so this was a wonderful starting place!

From last November to this September, I was suffering from an illness that made running very tough (I literally got to the point where I could not run .25 miles without stopping, and less that 4 weeks after starting treatments in September, I ran my first 50k and was 3^rd overall female). For so many months I was unable to control my body and what it could do and had to just meet my body where it was on any given day. Last Saturday, I was able to run my body and be strong and do amazing things. Thank you again (as I know you hear so so many times) for being an inspiration. There are so many days I read your blog and get the exact dose of motivation (or realism) I need to get through my day or run. During JFK I had a lot of time to think, to sing, to self-examine, and to pray. You were on my list of people that inspired me and helped me be able to do this run, and who I am thankful for. Thank you, thank you.

Now, separate from the shirt, I have a request of you. If you don’t want to do this for any reason, no worries and no hard feelings I have been selected as a runner for the 2013 MS Run the US trans-continental relay. This is a team of 22 runners who are working (and running) together to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research. The Relay will begin in Los Angeles, CA and finish in New York, NY. Twenty-two runners will be selected to each run the equivalent of a marathon per day for six days during their assigned segment. The entirety of the Relay will span from April, 15th, 2013 to September 17th, 2013.

We have a team goal of raising $500,000 and individual goals of raising at least $10,000. It’s a lot of money, so I am trying everything that I can think of to get sponsors. I have attached a link to the site below, and to my personal fundraising page. In short, this relay means the world to me. My mom was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago and my twin sister has shown some early signs of it. My mom is my ultimate inspiration for everything (from my college major of mathematics, to my running (she is a former runner), to my faith and work-ethic). I do not have a lot of money, or else I would write a $10,000 check myself. I am not in a position of power. All I have is the ability to run, and run far, and a huge heart, that I can use to make a difference.

So, my request: would you be willing to do a post about the relay, what this cause means to me, and my fundraising on your blog? I know it’s a lot for someone you don’t know, so again no hard feelings if you can’t, but it would help a ton!