Why Run???

01/06/10

Why? Hm. Good question! I wasn't ever a "runner." In high school, I played basketball and volleyball. In the Air Force, I did the token 1 1/2 mile runs when it was required. I've been healthy most of my life, but I never really "worked out." To be honest, I'm not even sure how to "work out." So, since I was (and still am) too embarrassed to ask... I started to run - or, I actually started to walk. It's simple. It's straight-forward. Put on shoes and go.

My awesome sista-in-law, Kerry-meister, helped me get started. We trained for the Salt Lake City Race for the Cure 5K in 2003. We had plans to train for a marathon, but I got stress fractures in my feet, and the following year, Kerry was in a major car accident with her son, Ian. So, our goal of running a marathon fell to the wayside.

For the next few years, I stayed in a routine of starting to train in February or March for the annual Race for the Cure in May. Then after the race, I'd fall off the bandwagon and would start up again the following Spring.

Then, in 2008, some gals in the neighboorhood and I decided to train together for the Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles). So, with no prior long-distance running experience, we set out on the journey together. It was a great accomplishment for all of us! And it was even more great because we did it together!

I realized that registering for a race gave me focus and a goal to train towards. I ran my second 1/2 marathon in Snow Canyon that November. I got a little off-track during the holidays and into the new year. So, by Spring I was ready to commit to something. I signed up for the Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon in August 2009. My husband, Scott, started to talk about trying to get in the lottery for the St. George Marathon. At this point, it seemed pretty unrealistic for me to do a full 26.2 mile marathon. I felt I was pushing the limits at 13.1 miles. But, thinking we probably wouldn't get in the lottery, I registered with Scott. When we received the notification that we had been selected to run in the marathon, I was sick to my stomach. It was so daunting! As I think about a marathon runner - I am not what I picture.

But, as I thought about it, and continued to train for the 1/2 marathon, I realized I'm not going to "win" a race - but that's obviously not why I do it. It's me against myself. I do it for me. Because these are my reasons and my motivation - I do win! Runners come in all shapes and sizes. I can do this!

So, with a more determined mindset, I pushed on. After completing the Hobble Creek 1/2, I ran the Top of Utah 1/2 the following weekend. On October 3, 2009, I ran a full 26.2 miles! It was hard. It was daunting. It is something I did - something that no one can take away from me.

After completing the St. George Marathon, I was wondering what I could do in order to stay motivated to keep running. So, I joined Team in Training (TNT) as a way to motivate myself and bring deeper meaning to my run.

Along with my commitment to run the Vancouver Canada 1/2 Marathon on May 2, 2010, and the Ogden Marathon on May 15, 2010, I have committed to raise $5000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The money I raise will go toward research aimed at finding a cure for Leukemia and related diseases and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families - and for me!

So, Why do I run???

I run because I am grateful for my health! I run in triumph of the obstacles I've overcome in my life! I am running these events in celebration of my life, as well as in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

I need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

The Bad News & The Good News

12/19/09

I got a call yesterday (Friday) afternoon with the results from my blood test on Dec. 9th. The bad news is what we already knew - the test was positive for the Philadelphia Chromosome (the indicator for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). The good news is that the amount is still minimal and so I will not be starting the oral chemo as of yet. For now, they will just be more aggressive about monitoring my blood. So I will go in again in about 3 months for another blood draw.

So, Life Is Good! I LOVE the support that comes from being a part of something bigger than myself - Team in Training. A big "Thank you" to each of you and your support in my endeavor to complete this event in celebration of my life, as well as in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

Thanks Again!

12/14/09

When I first signed up with Team in Training, I committed to run the Ogden full marathon. I am still on course to do that. However, I decided to also commit to doing the Vancouver Canada 1/2 Marathon. When they create my new website, they couldn't transfer over the donations to this one. So, I wanted to give those who donated on that site a quick Shout Out:

Tamee Roberts

Kevin Williams

Julie Funk

Leslie & Tom Green

Teri Lopez

Helena Lemon

Theresa Bohman

Lara Welker

Kayleen Cotner

Sandy Evans

Peggy Hoeppner

Amy Robles

Lauri & Duane Sandoval

Merilee Rowley

Cath Edvalson

Neil & Sylva Lamont

Patricia Courtney

Megan Hoeppner

Cory Suggs

Kim Watts Martin

Melissa Peterson

Heather Doney

Jennifer Cain

Jarrah Gerald

David Wursten

Sylvia Keuter-Staal

Kelly Wilkins

Amber Spek

Mindy Meyersick

Theresa Bohman

Monika Kretschmann

Lori Lemke

Julie Alviar

Allyson Jeppson

Julie Davis

Brooke Ward

Dorothy Burt-Coburn

Kerry Ellis

Anonymous

Jennifer Budge

Jeanie Papiernik

Stephanie Follett

W. Ryan Whitney

Susan Abney

Carla Stone

Angela Mueller

Caroline Anderson

Holly & Paul Jacobsen

Sarah McOmber

Mary Maloney

The donations on the other site totaled $2095.00!

Keep On Keepin' On!

12/9/09

So, I went up to LDS Hospital today and met with the Blood & Marrow Team, headed up by Dr Finn Bo Petersen. The consensus is that, for now, the amount of leukemic cells appears to be minimal (still at the molecular level). This means that the leukemia has not advanced to a stage where it has started to affect my White Blood Cell count nor the bone marrow. They took another blood sample, and those results should take about a week.

Depending on the results, we will know our next step. If there is no increase (or even a decrease), the next step is simply waiting and then going back for another blood draw in 3 months. If there is an increase, most likely I would start on an oral chemo (Gleevec) that should be able to keep it in check indefinitely. (This drug has been FDA-approved since 2001. Gleevec controls chronic phase CML for most people as long as they continue to take the drug. Patients who do not respond to the usual dose of Gleevec may respond to a higher dose.)

Even though it is a little confusing, the overall feeling is positive. I feel good about it. The doc said he does not see any reason why I shouldn't be able to live a long, full, natural life.

So, I'm gonna keep on keepin' on!! I'm continuing my training for the St George 1/2 Marathon (January), the Vancouver Canada 1/2 Marathon (May), as well as the Ogden Marathon (May).

And, just in case you needed another reason to donate to my fundraising event... I also found out that it was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that funded Dr. Brian J. Druker, an oncologist at Oregon Health and Sciences University and a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator, during his laboratory and clinical studies that led to Gleevec approval!!! The very drug that may save my life! :)

Running for MY Life...

After completing my first marathon in St. George this past October, I was wondering what I could do in order to stay motivated to keep running. So, I joined Team in Training (TNT) as a way to motivate myself and bring deeper meaning to my run. Yes, that's right! Another marathon! This time to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This cause was personal from the get-go, and is even more so now. I am a leukemia survivor, and until VERY recently (Nov. 20, 2009) had been cancer free for almost 12 years. I have had a relapse. But, unless the docs tell me I can't (or my body tells me I can't) - I will push on.

I am completing this event in celebration of my life, as well as in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

I need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

Even though these funds do not come directly to me, it literally feels like a virtual hug of support and strength with each donation.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!