Hello dear lapband friends! I am walking my first half-marathon in November! Who'd have ever thought it??? I am walking with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is a link to the letter I have posted online. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone you think may be interested in reading it.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/seacoast08/mballotte

The Lapband was the best decision I've ever made for myself! From someone who could barely make it up a set of stairs, to actually looking forward to walking 13.1 miles...is nothing short of a miracle for me. Hooray for all of us who are getting healthier one step at a time!:thumbup:

Good job Mary. You must be so proud of yourself. I am at the point right now where a flight a stairs kills me. I used to walk all over town because I loved it and now just walking to the car from the store makes me breathe hard. Thank you for the inspiration. I am looking forward to being able to walk happily again. Keep up the good work.

Dear Gotta,

Thank you! Yes, you WILL be healthier, you are well on your way by just making this decision for yourself. Congrats on your consult...hopefully you'll have a surgery date soon! I remember thinking the day of my surgery...today is the FIRST day of a whole new life! And it was! Blessings, Mary

Mary -- Me too! My 1/2 marathon is in January :-) I just got news to day that I will likely get to have my band before the end of the year too. I am in Austin. My group is only at 6 miles now -- but every week I know that if I can 4, I can do 5, if I can do 5 I can do 6. I feel so good after I know I have done something for me .... Good luck and keep me posted. Take care -- Stacyiam

Mary you are going to love the feeling you get when you cross the finish line. I ran two half marathons last Jan/Feb and I am running two more this Dec/Jan. Then its time for the full marathons. I encourage you to complete the 13.1 mile treck once or twice before you go do it, it will shock you how far it really is. Good luck and congrats.

Good for you...you have inspired me to check it out!