Some experienced runners quake at the thought of running a marathon, but first-timers Lacey Morton, Kim Taylor and Erin Hebeler are pumped and ready to go.

“We’re brand new to running. Brand, brand new,” Taylor said.

The Silverdale women are training to run in the Honolulu Marathon Dec. 13 as members of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training.

Hebeler received a Team in Training flyer in the mail and asked Morton and Taylor if they wanted to participate. They attended an informational meeting July 1 and then started raising funds and training for the marathon.

“We all have different connections to cancer and leukemia, so we went all in,” Taylor said.

She lost a friend to cancer and has a friend with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. When Morton was 10 years old, her 11-year-old best friend died from leukemia and Hebeler’s mother is currently battling cancer.

Taylor said they run five days a week in preparation for the Honolulu Marathon. Team in Training coaches and trainers host large group runs on Saturdays.

“Personally, I could not do it without the coaches and training staff,” Taylor said. “Running is such a science. I never would have guessed.”

Hebeler owns Express Espresso and Taylor and Morton manage the Silverdale and East Bremerton coffee stands, respectively. Taylor said their customers are very supportive and generous when it comes to donating to the cause.

“It feels good knowing it’s going to something good,” Taylor said. “It feels great.”

Each woman needs to raise at least $5,400 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and they plan to host fundraising events in the future.

The women are hosting events at the Silverdale Applebee’s restaurant Thursday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 12. Customers who present a voucher to the server will have 15 percent of the total bill donated to the women’s Team in Training cause.

Morton, Taylor and Hebeler also are hosting a comedy show, silent auction and raffle at the Cloverleaf Bar & Grill in Bremerton Saturday, Nov. 7. Tickets cost $20 per person and proceeds go toward their fundraising efforts.

Applebee’s vouchers and comedy show tickets are available at either Express Espresso stand.

People can donate money at the Silverdale and East Bremerton Express Espresso stands, located at 3078 NW Bucklin Hill Road and 6301 State Highway 303 NW.

For information about Team in Training or to donate online, visit teamintraining.org. Click on “Find a Participant” and search for Morton, Taylor or Hebeler to visit their personal pages or make a donation.