Join me on my journey to get in shape, build my endurance, and run a marathon - all in hopes of finding a cure for blood cancers. Help me, help them defeat the cancer bug and give hope to everyone who has, who is, and who will fight the cancer battle!

So! Evidently I have used up all the space alloted on this page. So, to follow updates my blog will be the way to go! You can go here to read my daily training adventures: http://barbieruns.blogspot.com/

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*8.9.09*

I recently uped my goal from $3900 to $5000... there is no doubt in my mind that we will have no problem hitting that goal! Donate today to help an amazing cause!!

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When passion & purpose collide, magical things happen.

==Jeanne Fitzmaurice==

What an exciting day for me in both my training and fundraising. I not only met my goal but I have exceeded it and I have not even gotten to recommitment yet! I seriously could not have been any happier when I checked my BlackBerry this morning and all the generous donations had been posted overnight! It feels like such a weight has been lifted of my sholders. When I made the commitment to due this run I was terrified that I would not be able to reach my goal and have the throw the difference on my credit card, but thanks to every single one of you all I have to do is focus 100% on my training and saying injury free now. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Keep telling people and getting the word out because if I could blow my goal out of the water that would be so magical!

Training is still going well. It gets better and better every week. I am not saying that I have become a lover of running or even that I would say it is my favorite activity outside of work, but it is becoming easier and easier to do. I no longer dread running my obligated miles. I sometimes even see if I can push myself a little bit harder. Running is all about mind games; I was told this at the very beginning but I am now learning just how true that is. I have turned running into a game and it is becoming more and more enjoyable and less and less a task on my to do list. I am running about 1 hour everyday (on the treadmill because it is so dang hot here) and mixing in a bit of weight training. Since swapping over to the full marathon from the half, we are doing daily 4 mile runs. I used to hit 'the wall' around mile 2/2.5 but for now I have no wall (watch it be mile 5) so all is good. Due to a sore ankle I have taken 2 days off of training but I am anxious to get back in the groove of things. It is feeling better today so I am going to see how it feels when I run tonight. Fingers crossed it feels good the whole time.

I am excited about going home at the end of July and have already mapped out how long some runs are and I can't wait to run hills (scarcasm). Kyle and I are headed out of town for a wedding this weekend but I still intend on getting some miles in... somehow. Overall, life is good. I am over the moon today and so grateful to every single person who believes that I can and will run 26.2 miles and that is standing behind me! To all of you thank you from the bottom of my heart! =) Keep spreading the word and keep your fingers crossed that the donations keep rolling in!

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You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.

==Gatorade==

I ran my second 5K yesterday morning. I literally did it on a whim, just to see how much training has paid off. And well.. of course, training has paid off. As embarrased as I am to admit this, I ran my first 5K is a miserable 41 minutes and I thought I was going to die afterwards. Yesterday I ran it in a 27:40 (9.5 minute mile) and I felt fine. I am super impressed. Honestly, I think I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face. When I saw the time as I came up the big hill I was so so so pumped. I wish I had the opportunity to do about 1 per month... but I don't think they have that many. Who knows. I have a 10K on 9.7.09 and evidently it is hilly and then I am doing a 5K through Downtown Atlanta on 9.10.09 with Julie and Gina from work. I am beginning to think that I can actually do this. I am not sold on the idea of doing a full marathon just yet... but if I change my mind... you all will be the first ones to know. It wouldn't be for everyone who has donated... each check that I get in the mail or online donation gives me the motovation to hit the pavement everyday. And trust me, there are days that I need that motivation! I am still working on building my endurance and stamina though, but it is slowly getting better. :o)

Since a lot of people cannot make donations due to financial constraints (thanks economy) I have set up a fundraising page on insiderpages.com. All you do is review local businesses (no chains) and a small donation is made to my fundraising efforts. Yes, it's only 25-50 cents per review, but that will add up over time. The page closes on 7.6.09 so go here: http://www.insiderpages.com/fundraisers/Team-in-Training-B-Vines-0907 and start rating local places (dentists, bars, salons, restaurants, etc...) in your area. It is not limited to the Atlanta area. So if you're in California or Maine, you can rave or rant about places in your area all you want!!

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"Take chances in life. You're more likely to look back at an experience and regret not doing something rather than regretting what was done. Also, don't forget to laugh along the way"

==Dayna Decon, Host, Extra!==

No much to report today. Training honestly is getting easier and easier with each day. Which is a good thing, because I was beginning to wonder what in the world I got myself into. Still doing the daily 3 miles... we're working on building our endurance, which is still something I am 100% working on. But, on a positive note I did shave 1 minute off my mile... but it's no where near where I want it to be. All is good time it will be where I want it. Julie, my branch manager, has challenged me to do not one, but two 10K's in the same week in September. As of today, I tell her no way I will do just one... the hilly one (to prepare me for those San Fran hills) that ends at a waterpark, but who knows. Plus, the last thing I need is an injury 1 month before my big race.

Anyways. On to the exciting news... I got more press time! Wahoo! Go to... http://www.yourshoesdaily.com/ and check out my kicks with the Atlana skyline. My Logan's pal was awesome to promote my race on her blog too. And now onto the Marrowthon! As you all know, I registered and put my name into the Bone Marrow Registry Database. Now... for a limited time only, you can do it as well but for free! June 8 - June 22 is the Be The Match Marrowthon and they're hoping to add 46,000 new members. 30-40% of people needed a marrow transplant do not have an immediate family member who is a direct match... so they have to pull from the database. Go to www.marrow.org to sign up. No blood drawn, just 4 little cheek swabs from the comforts of your couch and the idea that you could be the one to save someone's life! ...Keep on keeping on. Pass my link on to everyone you know! I want to not only reach my goal but excede it. Help give me the motovation to run everyday! :o) Love you all!

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"1+1=10: Whatever you do, do it with passion and heart, and it has the potential to change the world"

==Maxine Clarke, Founder, Build-a-Bear ==

Training is going well. I will admit that I have not been on my best behavior in regards to sticking to the training schedule, but I have set a goal to train, train, train until October. I have 4 months to get myself into half marathon shape and it will not be an easy feat if I continue to slack. Since we have 3 day a week group training sessions offered, I think I will opt to attend everyone of those. If I have someone holding me accountable, I think I am much more likely to do it. This week we are supposed to be doing daily 3 mile runs. Basically, 1 5K, every day. Yay? I still have a long way to go and really need to build my endurance/stamina. I went to my first group training session on Saturday, we ran in Buckhead, and it was great to have someone pushing you once you hit the wall. (Everyone always spoke of this infamous wall⬦ and well it is there, you hit it.) My left knee is hurting a little bit and I do not know if it is because of my shoes or bad form or what. But our Tuesday night training sessions are about form and pace so I shall find out.

Yesterday was my 25th (quarter life century crisis) birthday and I made my Facebook status say that I wanted donations for my birthday and I raised a whopping $195.67! My friends truly are amazing people! =) Many thanks to all who donated for my birthday or in general this past week. The amount of donations online and via mail has been phenomenal and I am forever gracious. I am a little under $1000 away from hitting my goal of $3900 and I am hoping to now not only meet, but exceed my goal. I once wondered how in the world I was going to raise all this money, now I just know I have a great circle supporting me!

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"Your life is an occasion. Rise to it!"

==Zach Helm==

Hello all! I hope you have had a great week and have a fun (and safe) holiday weekend planned. Honestly, I really do not have too much to report this week. I am sticking to my training schedule which means 3 mile run ... but I have actually been doing 4 mile runs. I want to make sure I can cross that finish line after 13.1. Last Saturday I did my first ever 5K and it was the real beginnings of my training. It proved to me that I have a lot of work to do before October. I am 100% up for the challenge though. I was super pumped for my 1st training session with my team tomorrow, but I have to take our little man to the vet super early ... so I will be logging the long run alone. Next week. I promise to train with my team! If anyone in Atlanta needs a running partner, let me know. I could use the company/someone holding me accountable. I could not finish this post without saying thank you to some awesome people. Fundraising is going AWESOME. I know you cannot tell (because I have checks I need to mail in) but I am so close to my goal. To everyone who has donated, thanks you are a superstar. Every time I do not want to go out and train it seems like someone donates and it gives me that umph I need to get my butt off the couch. To John and Blake (and udothedishes.com), you are simply amazing ... I am still utterly speechless and so thankful. I got some press this week from an awesome blog that you should follow. http://udothedishes.com/ . Take my word for it. Everyone, keep getting the word out, keep passing the site on. I want every one of you to be part of reaching my goal and helping find a cure for blood cancers! Love to all! =)

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"Dream Big but don't forget to live while you're on your way. The Journey is priceless"

==Maria Sansone, Television and Online Entertainment Host==

So... we had the TNT Kickoff Event last night. Needless to say, I think I have ventured in on a wild wild ride, but I am excited. We are running in honor of the cutest little girl, Kate, who is currently fighting the Leukemia battle. But of couse I am running for Beka as well. Fundraising is going well so far, but of course, I still need donations! If you know anyone, send my page to them! ...Training, ugh. I have not done much of that yet. I ran 2 miles on Saturday. (yay... now only 11.1 more to go). However, I did sign up for the "Brookhaven Bolt' which is this Saturday here in Atlanta and it benefits a local elementary school. Nothing like really kicking it into high gear!

I am super pumped about Nike and the halfie that I am doing. BIG thanks to everyone who has donated so far. I am gonna try and update this once a week to let you know how I am doing.

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Leukemia is lame. I'm running 13.1 to help find a cure!

Hey All!

You're probably wondering what in the world is Team in Training and what crazy thing is Barbie doing now?!?! Well....

I'm training to participate in The Nike Women's Marathon in San Fransisco as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, specifically my friend Beka Malloy (pictured to your right) who was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) this past January! I think what I am most excited about is actually running in this thing with Ms. Beka! Who would have thought after all these years talking about a reunion we actually do it ... and do it for such an awesome cause!

I have set the goal to raise $3,900 to help find a cure for blood cancers. I know times are super tough right now and everyone is watching their budgets, but anything you cannot donate to help support these families would be amazing (and all donations are tax deductible). Most of the funds raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society go to research and patient care. The Society uses at least 75% of every dollar raised for cancer programs, funding research to find cures to leukemia, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and myeloma - the blood cancers - as well as assistance with the often overwhelming burdens faced by patients and their families currently fighting blood cancers.

If you happen to know anyone who may be interested in donating to such a worthwhile cause, please please please pass this site on! As mentioned before, all donations are tax deductible. You can make a secure online donation here or you can mail checks (made out to LLS) to :

Barbara Vines

3450 Miller Dr . #2201

Atlanta GA 30341

I hope you will visit my web site often, I am going to make it into a blog-like thing so you can keep track of my training. Feel free to check out Beka's caringbridge site to learn all about her fight and journey through remission (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bekamalloy)

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!