CEDAR FALLS -- If you think running a marathon is hard, try chemotherapy.

"Twenty-six point two miles is a long way to run, but there's a longer race that will be run by 107,430 people who will be diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma this year," said Dr. Steve Riggs, a local physician who joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training with his wife Janice.

The Cedar Falls couple is training to run the Rock n' Roll Marathon in San Antonio, Texas on Nov. 16th to help raise needed research funds for diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma.

The couple ran the Twin Cities marathon together in 2001 to celebrate their 40th birthdays.

"After the twin cities marathon, I said that I would never run another marathon again, unless it was for a very good cause," Janice said.

This year she found her cause. Having known several people who lost their lives from blood related cancers in recent years, Janice laced up her running shoes.

"We're running in honor of three people who have been important in our lives. The daughter of one of my best friends, Lindsay Ranta; David Bullers, who was our kind and generous neighbor; and Barb Marquette, who was the mother of a friend while growing up and was like my second mom."

The Riggs are also running in honor of 6-year old Jared, a local hero designated by the Waterloo/Cedar Falls 'Team in Training' chapter who was diagnosed with AML Leukemia last August.

"When I feel the pain I think about what they had to go through to fight their diseases," Janice said. … "This motivates me to keep going."

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program is the largest endurance sports training program in the world. Since 1988, when the first team of TNT marathoners was formed, the program has helped 360,000 people -- more than 39,000 participants annually -- achieve their dream of completing a marathon, half marathon, triathlon or 100-mile bicycle ride. Since its inception, TNT participants have raised more than $850 million on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The Riggses share the road with 10 other area runners in their marathon quest to fight cancer. They attend meetings and group fundraisers while getting to know the other members of the Cedar Falls/Waterloo Team in Training chapter. A coach keeps the runners on track.

"Team In Training provides participants with the fitness training and group support needed to succeed," says Amanda Freese, TNT campaign coordinator for Eastern Iowa. "Participants learn the skills necessary to cross a finish line and to raise funds to benefit LLS."

The Riggses say it's fun and beneficial to train together.

"It's a goal that we share together," Steve said. "It gives us something to talk about. We encourage one another, talk about our training and share our aches and pains."

They plan to run the marathon side-by-side, but Steve admits he's little nervous about his ability to keep up with his wife.

"Each day that we train, she gets faster and faster," he said.

Contact Sue Willett at newsroom@wcfcourier.com.