SILVA: I'm now a member of the Team

I've joined the team.

For years at just about every running I've been to, I've seen these people dressed in purple, yelling out "Go, Team!" at every turn.

They are members of Team in Training, an endurance sport program that helps raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

And I'm one of the newest members of the team.

I've always been reluctant to join the team, of which my close friend is a prominent member.

I was worried about raising the money. I was worried about sticking to someone else's training schedule. And I was afraid of the commitment.

So why did I finally join Team in Training? Here are some of the reasons:

1. I can't do it on my own. I found that training for my first marathon on my own was more difficult than I thought it would be. Being able to seek guidance, support and encouragement from others will make training for the marathon much easier.

2. It's a great cause. Blood cancer has touched — or will touch — all of us at one point in our lives. From all I know this is a wonderful organization that not only provides money to patients and families of patients to help make their lives better, but also to research that hopefully someday will learn the cause and provide a cure.

3. It looks like fun. Every time I've been at a half or full marathon, I've watched the Team in Training runners having fun, sharing good times and being supportive to each other as they head out on their journeys and after they finish. I was always a little jealous at how much fun they were having, and I want to be a part of that.

So what does this all mean? It means I will begin raising money for this amazing charitable organization. It means soon I will begin training for the San Luis Obispo Marathon on April 7.

And it means I have another marathon mission. One that is bigger than myself. One that has me inspired more than ever before. And one that I hope will inspire you, too.

I've been mixing up my workouts recently, adding some stationary biking to my running and strength training.

The cycling does a number on my legs, which has helped build my stamina during longer runs.

I'm hoping this pays off down the line on my 14-20 mile marathon training runs.

I ran the Turlock Turkey Trot this year, and finished third in my age group. First place wins a turkey, second place wins a whole chicken and I took home … a flat of eggs.

You have to love Turlock.

Reach Jim Silva at jsilva@modbee.com. On Twitter: @mission26point2