So what do Hello Kitty, Yoda, Superman, Spam, giant soccer balls and Santa all have in common? They were all participating in the Honolulu Marathon last Sunday, and so were my friend Karen and I along with about 24,000 other folks. Great fun, quite a challenge, and the perfect weather - a bit blustery, some brief torrential downpours and mostly overcast until mile 20. Since we don't get much weather here to speak of in the southland, this was quite a lovely experience, and much preferred to the anticipated 80 plus degrees with full sun by 10 a.m.

With the day starting with a 3:30 a.m. wakeup call, we promptly met the team in the lobby to walk to the starting area. At 5 a.m. the cannon went off, fireworks exploded in the sky, and we were on our way - an exciting and fabulous way to begin. About 2/3 of the participants were from Japan and they came ready to party in various levels of costuming - (next time I will plan on more festive attire!). We were told by several people that in Japan you aren't allowed to participate in your first marathon there, you have to have at least one under your belt from somewhere else first, so Hawaii must be one of the most convenient and of course gorgeous places to accomplish that.

We saw several sets of 7- year old grandsons accompanied by 80-year old grandfathers, one man on 4-foot stilts, one man in traditional kimono and wooden geta (elevated thong-type sandals), and several people with those rubber Vibram FiveFingers barefoot running shoes, but Karen and I were sporting regular old western footwear and our purple Team In Training tops, and although maybe not as flamboyant, we still wore them proudly and got quite a bit of attention. With yells like "the TNT ladies are in the House - YEAH!!" we were feeling the love, and it just confirmed to us once again that TNT is highly recognized and respected, as well as responsible for training a half million runners, walkers, hikers, cyclists and triathletes for their first time events and beyond. Obviously some of those people were on the sidelines, and they really helped us to keep moving forward. Particularly my sweet Louis, Karen's husband Gregg, and their daughter Devon, who met up with us several times along the way, as well as at the finish line. I can't say how amazing it was to see Louis' smiling face at the end of all that, and he graced me with a gorgeous sweet ginger lei. I could not have made it without his endless support and occasional kick in the butt now and again!

My friend Karen was going for her Triple Crown with this event after successfully completing a Team in Training Century Ride and a Triathlon. On top of her Triple Crown, she was the 2nd highest fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's TNT winter training - IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!!! - with $9,170 - so hats off to you my friend - well done! I did pretty darn well myself though for a first timer - with $3,645 and counting.

So THANK YOU ALL again, for helping me to successfully cross the finish line! I look at the scroll here of all of your names, and I feel very grateful. I could not have done it without your kind support, generosity and encouragement!!!

I wish you all the best of the holiday season! Enjoy many wonderful celebrations with family and friends, and if you are looking for a new challenge come the new year, click on the link above that says 'VISIT TNT' - they offer magnificent journeys of endurance all around the country. You can hike the Grand Canyon, go on America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe (Louis is co-coaching that event and he'd love to have you on the team!), or do half or full marathons in the Dodge Rock 'N' Roll San Diego, just to name a few.

Whatever event you choose, it will be an amazing experience, of that you can be sure, and your efforts will help provide continued quality care for patients with blood cancers, and allow for further research to be conducted so one day they will find a cure.

With Love, Gratitude and Best Wishes,

Donna

I like to laugh. Do you like to laugh?

I thought you probably did. I bet your friends do too.

So why don't you all join me at:

The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dinner is served from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM

and the show is from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

(there is a (2) menu item minimum purchase per person)

The generous folks at The Comedy & Magic Club will let me keep

100% of your ticket price of $15.00

to put towards my fundraising goals here with the

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training

To order your tickets, you can make a donation

to the right of this page for $15.00 per ticket.

When paying, please either write in the "Message" section something like

"4 tickets for the show" or send me a private email at donna@akindhand.com

so I know that your donation is for tickets and not just a straight donation.

Upon notification of this transaction, I will contact you with details of the evening

and we can figure out the best way to get your tickets to you.

Thank you so much for your support

in my fundraising efforts for the Honolulu Marathon.

Your donation is greatly appreciated - and what could be better?

You can enjoy a fun evening out, and help save lives all at the same time!

I look forward to laughing with you!

Best Wishes, Donna

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for agreeing to support my efforts in raising funds and training for the Honolulu Marathon through The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. As the largest endurance training program in the U.S., Team In Training provides participants with coaching and training expertise in exchange for raising money towards finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma. The money raised not only funds research, but it provides financial assistance to patients and their families, produces educational materials and videos, sponsors scientific conferences around the country, and runs dozens of Family Support Groups nationwide.

For the past several years my husband Louis has been riding with the Team In Training Cycle Team of Greater Los Angeles. Whether it has been as a participant, a mentor, or an assistant coach, his chosen path with TNT has been inspirational, and in my eyes, he's a rock star! Through Louis' involvement, I have learned about the amazing programs offered by LLS and the tremendous multi-level support that they provide to patients with blood cancers. I have been moved by honorees sharing their personal stories, and I have been awed by the courage and strength they have demonstrated through their fight. I have witnessed the solidarity of the team and the joyful spirit with which the members move towards a common goal. I am very excited to be involved with such a wonderful organization, and look forward to working hard to accomplish my goals and completing the marathon on December 11, 2011.

Thank you again for your kind support. Together we can make a difference!

With Love and Gratitude,

Donna

GO TEAM!!