Earlier this year, I committed to raising funds and running in a half-marathon on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the help of Team in Training. What I didn’t realize at the time was how much my life would change throughout the course of training. 

My coaches, mentors, and new friends in TNT helped me realize that I have an inner strength that I didn’t necessarily know was there. I have discovered that physical and emotional limitations only exist if I put them there. If I tell myself I can do something, I can do it! What a revelation! (I know it’s cliche, but so true)

While learning to push my physical limits, I was also forced to push my emotional limits. Throughout my training, my focus on this goal wavered with the declining health of my dad. Two years ago, just before I lost my best friend Sarah Adames to Hodgkin Lymphoma, my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer. (F____CANCER!) From the start, he fought it. Any time a new treatment failed, he wanted the next one. He wasn’t giving up. It wasn’t until a couple of months ago that the doctors had to tell him that they had exhausted all avenues and there was nothing more they could do. At that point, Hospice took over his care. (Hospice is an incredible organization, by the way!) That’s the point when my focus shifted from training and fundraising, to helping care for my father and spending as much time with him as possible. At 7:30 on Thursday, October 20, 2011, my father, Randall Walker Williams, passed away. I have never felt so shattered in my life. My dad is gone.

While at first, I considered not continuing with the race, I realized, through the help of my amazing family and friends, that I need to finish what I started. I need to remember why I embarked on this journey to begin with: TO HELP SAVES LIVES! I know that no one should have to feel the pain I feel after losing such beautiful, loving people to such an insidious disease. No matter what type of cancer, it is a painful and ugly thing that no one deserves!

With renewed drive and little time, I must yet again beg you all for money. As of today, I am $408 short of my goal. Please donate what you can. Even if it’s only $5, that adds up. Every dollar raised goes to helping aid research and help patients directly. Click the banner to the right to donate, or go to www.tinyurl.com/runsarahdonate

After you donate, go to www.letsfcancer.com/get-educated. Scroll through the graphics with symptoms of several types of cancers. Early detection is a major way to combat cancer. Educate yourselves and those around you. Take ownership of your health! (after you donate!)

Also, thank you all for the kind words and gestures. My family and I are overwhelmed with support and love! XO

I’m am so excited about my first fundraising event this evening at South City Kitchen in Vinings! I feel confident that it’s going to be a success. We will be taking lots of pictures tonight and I will post them soon thereafter.

I look forward to seeing all of you that can make it out tonight just as much as I look forward to the fried green tomatoes! (that’s a lot)

If you want to come and still haven’t made your reservation, you can call (770) 435-0700 or go to Open Table www.tinyurl.com/southcitykitchen. Remember to mention that you’re dining out with Team in Training on behalf of (insert runner’s name). If you come with a reservation (which is fine), be sure to let the host and your server know why you are there.

Go here to check out the menu or to get any other information you need: www.southcitykitchen.com/vinings

My darling, thoughtful boyfriend (who is apparently a very good listener) got me a super fancy stand mixer for my birthday. I’ll be able to crank out baked goods with the greatest of ease! I’d like to put together a bake sale to get a little more fundraising bucks. If anyone has ideas on where we could do a bake sale (and if anyone would like to join me) please let me know. Any upcoming events??? The delicious ideas are already flowing…

It’s official…on September 21st, we will be having a dine out for Team in Training! 20% of food sales that night will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please come support me and LLS. You can make a reservation by calling 770-435-0700 or go to http://tinyurl.com/southcitykitchen to make it online. Just make sure (and this is important!) to mention that you are Dining Out for Team in Training and your runner is Sarah Williams. 

Here is a sample of their menu below (they also have a great kids menu, so bring them too). Some items are subject to change, but it’s always delicious!

Get ready to feed your soul in more ways than one!

First Flavors
HOT BOILED PEANUTS jalapenos, sweet onions 3
CARAMEL CORN SCKV bacon 4
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES goat cheese, sweet pepper coulis, basil 7.50
CHICKEN LIVERS cured pork jowl, roasted garlic, brioche, fig jus 7
LOW & SLOW PORK BBQ scallion-grit cake, BBQ sauce, horseradish slaw 8
CRAB CAKE Creole mustard aioli, pickled okra relish 14.50
SCALLOPS summer squash casserole, tomato relish 12
PIMENTO CHEESE corn crackers, celery hearts, butter pickles 6
GOUDA FRITTERS cane syrup 6.50
OLD CHARLESTON SHE-CRAB SOUP fresh cream, sherry 5 cup | 7 bowl

New South Salads
add Calabash or grilled shrimp, grilled or fried chicken, or turkey breast 
to any salad for an additional 7.25
FIELD GREENS toasted pecans, balsamic vinaigrette 5.75 small | 7 regular
CAESAR garlic-grit croutons, fried okra, Parmesan 6 small | 7.95 regular
CORNBREAD PANZANELLA arugula, pickled onions, 
Georgia peaches, Thomasville tomme, peach vinaigrette 9.25
HEIRLOOM TOMATO & WATERMELON farmer’s cheese, 
watercress, minted basil syrup 9.25
SOUTH COBB cider-molasses vinaigrette, chopped egg, SCKV bacon,
buttermilk blue cheese, field peas, grilled chicken 13.75

Southern Specialties
SHRIMP & GRITS poblano peppers, tasso, smoked tomato gravy 19
SOUTHERN BOOYAH-BAZE shrimp, catfish, crawfish, 
fingerling potatoes, pimento rouille, tomato-saffron broth 21
FRIED CHICKEN smashed bliss potatoes, garlic collard greens, honey-thyme jus 17
PAN-ROASTED CATFISH grits toast, green tomato chow chow, 
Mississippi “Come back!” sauce 17
VEGETABLE PLATE pole beans, heirloom tomatoes, fried okra, 
field pea succotash, fingerling potatoes 15
BBQ PORK SANDWICH horseradish slaw, Old Bay fries 10 

Skillet, Grill & Sauté
MARKET FISH potato leek puree, pole beans, sun-gold tomatoes M/P
GEORGIA MOUNTAIN TROUT field pea succotash, lemon aioli 22
PORK CHOP mustard greens, heirloom pea “baked beans” 21
PETITE CHATEAU STEAK sweet corn puree, pea shoots, smoked sea salt 24
BURGER pimento cheese, pickles, Old Bay fries 11
CERTIFIED ANGUS RIBEYE herb roasted fingerlings, green peppercorn creamed leeks 30 

On the Side
pole beans 4 | mac-and-cheese 5 | field pea succotash 5
fingerling potatoes 5 | heirloom pea “baked beans” 5 

Dessert
CHEESECAKE-BREAD PUDDING white chocolate-cream cheese custard, 
“put-up” local blueberry compote 6.75
BANANA PUDDING banana pastry cream, bananas, vanilla wafers, fresh cream 6.75
CHOCOLATE GANACHE TORTE toasted coconut crème anglaise 6.75
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING clabbered cream 6.75
PECAN PIE buttermilk caramel, vanilla ice cream 6.75
ICE CREAM OR SORBET ask your server for today’s selection 6

This is hard. I expected it to be a challenge, but I definitely underestimated it: running miles a day in the hot, humid Atlanta weather; getting up to train after working late nights; trying to rehab my injured knee (turns out I have Runner’s Knee, but it’s getting better!); fundraising; dealing with waves of emotion. I could go on…

But you know what’s harder? Knowing what patients of blood cancers have to go through. I wanted to share some staggering statistics.

• Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. 

In the time it took me to run my 3 miles today, approximately 7 people were diagnosed.

• Every 10 minutes, someone dies from blood cancer.

In that same run, 3 people died. Three people’s families and friends are changed forever. 

No one needs to know the pain and struggle of blood cancer. Please join me in trying to make a difference in the fight against blood cancers.

As some of you know, I am training for a half-marathon. Before now, I’ve never run more than a mile and that was only because I was being graded. I am definitely an active person, but running an endurance event was never some I imagined myself doing. 

Here’s the thing… I’m not doing this for me. I found an amazing organization called Team in Training which is a branch of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Team in Training is a group of people that come together to train for endurance events such as marathons, triathlons, adventure hikes, etc., and to raise money for research, patient financial aid, and other forms of support for patients diagnosed with Lymphoma, Leukemia, or Myeloma.

A common question I get is “why do you want to raise money for LLS?” Well, aside from it just being an amazing organization, I do have a very personal tie. Two years ago, my best friend, Sarah Adames, lost her fight with Hodgkin Lymphoma. She was 24 years old. She had just started college and was training for her first triathlon when she was diagnosed. Throughout the whole ordeal of seeing doctors constantly and recurring hospital stays, she always had a positive attitude. Sarah always seemed more concerned with making sure her family and friends were okay even though she was the one in the hospital. Even when the nurses would come in and take her blood for the 10th time, she would smile at them and say, “thank you!” She was a one-of-a-kind and I struggle daily with her absence. Now, I find motivation to make a difference, because she was always so concerned with others. 

I have committed to raising funds and running the Savannah Rock ‘n Roll Marathon on November 5, 2011.

Please be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. I will be posting pictures and updates along the way. Thanks for your support!

“A true friend sees the good in everything, and brings out the best in the worst of things.”

﷯