Racing to Save Lives- 2008 Nike Women's Marathon

(Scroll down to read my updates!)

Last year, I had the privilege of training for the Nike Women's Marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training and learned anything is possible! It was an indescribable experience, not just crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles but being part of a group of runners and walkers from across the nation that raised $18.5 million to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. Hearing the many stories of those that have battled or are currently battling cancer is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Being a part of an organization that helps support these families is moving and I couldn't help but get involved again.

So this year, I'm training along with several dear friends from college for the same event. I'm so excited to share this special journey with all of them and help raise even more money for this worthy cause. We are completing this event in honor of all the individuals who are battling blood cancers, including our friend, Gideon. He just so happens to be married to one of us, a phrase he may not be comfortable with! He was diagnosed with Acute Promylocetic Leukemia in 2000 and thanks to the research that has been done thus far, he's cancer-free today and able to enjoy a beautiful life with his wife and three children. We are so grateful for the success of Gideon's treatment and we want more people to have the same chance at life.

We 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 the Society's mission. I have not forgotten all of you that made donations on my behalf last year. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I could not have done it without your help. If you're able, I hope you'll consider partnering with me again as there is still more work to be done. Also, consider passing along this website to your friends, family and co-workers. Experience has taught me that you never know who might want the opportunity to be involved in helping to cure cancer. Together, we can make a difference.

I hope you'll visit my website often to see my progress. If you'd like to follow our training journey, my friends and I are writing about our experiences on our blog, www.nikejournal.blogspot.com, so feel free to stop by. And as always, thank you for your support!

Amy

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5/25/08- Week 1

1 Down, 21 To Go! I met my Westside team at the beach this morning for our first team run. It was a short one (2.5 miles) but I felt good and kept a better pace than I expected. In fact, I ran/walked it with the slowest running group instead of the walking group. :) It looks like it's going to be a great season filled with great people who are united for one cause. We met one our team's honored patients this morning. Jamie was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when she was 23 and endured 6 months of chemo followed by radiation. Thankfully, she has been in remission for 4 years and is participating in a triathlon in 2 weeks! Yet another reminder as to why we're doing this. Thank you for joining us.

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6/1/08- Week 2

Another Sunday morning team training session accomplished! After last week's run/walk with the slowest running group, I thought I would see what happened if I trained with the walking group. One of the reasons that I wanted to train with the walking group is because our coaches have decided to have us run for a specific period of time and not a specific distance and the walking group was scheduled to walk longer and I needed at least a 45 min. workout. I found three walkers who kept a great pace and I stayed with them for the full course. We walked along the ridge overlooking the ocean, beautiful! I don't own a Garmin so I don't know what our distance was but it was a good workout!

In addition to the training, we learned about another of our honor patients and the young daughter of our Honoree Captain, who helps us stay connected to the cause. Today is the one year anniversary of Audrey's leukemia diagnosis, she has been enduring treatments since and will continue for another 14 months. As you know, cancer treatments are incredibly invasive, often causing significant changes in behaviors and personalities of patients. Katy was most excited to share that Audrey seems to be more like herself today than she has since treatment began! That must be so exciting for a mom to see in her child.

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6/8/08- Week 3

A 50-minute team training session was on the schedule for this morning. I'm trying to make it a practice of having a stronger 2nd half of any walk/run that I do so this morning, I walked for the first half, ran/walked the 2nd half. So far, I've felt great during every team session! If only they could work out with me all week long...

A teammate, Chris, spoke before our run today. Eight years ago, both of his parents were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma within a year of each other. His mom has been in remission for years now which is great news. Sadly, his dad passed away in April due to complications from the disease. His sister has participated in several TNT events but this is his first. I think it says a lot when someone who has had this kind of direct interaction with the LLS decides to partner with the organization and raise money for the work they do. I'm glad Chris is part of our team, I find strength in his courage.

Finally, a big thank you to Russ & Tiffany Long for your continued support and generous donation to the LLS on my behalf!

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6/15/08- Week 4

Tuesday- 2.5 miles, Wednesday- strength training & stretching, Thursday- 2 miles, Sunday- 4 miles. That was my training schedule for this past week and I have to say, it is exciting to feel myself getting stronger and looking forward more and more to running/walking everyday. My pace is improving and I was thrilled to have 13 minute miles on my hilly Thursday run/walk! This is slow to lots of people but it's great for me. I definitely notice that I'm getting into shape faster this time around, perhaps it's some kind of muscle memory. I don't know but I'm eager to see where this all leads.

I've reached $325 so far and I'd like to that Mr./Ms. Anonymous for the donation they made this morning! It's such an encouragement to get the donation notices right before I head out for a run/walk so thank you! Collectively, my friends and I have reached our first $1000 mark! Thanks to everyone who has made a contribution and supported us in this generous way.

Happy Father's Day! I'm reminded of all the dads out there who are spending this holiday in hospitals caring for their children who have been diagnosed with cancer and all the children who are caring for their sick dads or who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Then, of course, there are all those celebrating the beautiful second chance at life, grateful to see their children grow up. To all of you, I wish peace and love this Father's Day.

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6/21/08- Week 5

Training: Tuesday- 2 miles, Wednesday- strength training, Thursday- 2 miles, Friday- 2 miles, Sunday- 6.5 miles. My goal for the week was to add a 4th walk/run into my routine and I did! Granted it was a rough one but late Friday night, I headed out to complete 2 miles in the quietness of my neighborhood. This morning I met my team at 8am but we didn't get started until 8:30 and by then it was quite toasty! I'm hoping they will change the start time to 7am soon. Anyway, the walking team was scheduled to walk for 1 hr 15 min and the run teams were scheduled to run 6 miles. At 38 min, the point at which I should have turned around, I realized I was SO close to the point that the 6 miles runners were to turn around that I decided to keep going. Did I mention it was really hot?! Well, the way back was difficult but I made it with a finish time of 1 hr 40 min. Even given the heat, I found myself disappointed in my time until I discovered that the course was actually closer to 6.5 miles!

Fundraising: $425 of $3200. That means $100 came in this week and I would like to thank Kristin & Garrison Roberts, Melissa Merlin, Andrae Baly, and Mr. & Mrs. Manuel for making that happen! I get so excited to see these donations arrive because they often come from unexpected places or at unexpected times and it's so encouraging to see the generosity of the world displayed before my eyes. Pure joy.

Mission: One of my teammates, Amy, told us about her 6 year old cousin, Ashley. Just over a year ago, she was diagnosed with leukemia and as the treatment took it's toll on Ashley's body, it took away the "smile in her eyes." Today, she is in remission and while she's on a number of medications still, Amy was relieved to share with us that Ashley's eyes smile again! On a more sobering note, another Ashley could use your good thoughts and prayers. She's the honored teammate of my friend, Kim, and she's been in remission from Hodgkins Lymphoma but has recently begun to experience the same side effects that she felt when she was diagnosed in 2006. Right now, this 12 year old girl is going through a battery of tests to see if the cancer has returned. Please, remember both of these young girls who continue to demonstrate strength beyond their years.

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6/29/08- Week 6

Training Stats: Tu- 2 miles, W- strength training, Th- 2 miles, Sun-6 miles. Thankfully, Mother Nature was kind and gave us slightly cooler temperatures than last Sunday and the two people that help keep me moving returned after being sick/injured last weekend. I felt tired but kept going and practiced building the mental strength I find helpful as the miles increase. This week I'm planning to increase my mileage on my midweek runs and make sure to get a second day of strength training in.

Fundraising Stats: $540 of $3200. This week I want to thank two dear friends for their donations and support. Amy Parker & Kara Fink, I'm grateful for you both.

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7/6/08- Week 7

Training Stats: Tu- 2 miles, W-strength training, Fri- 5k (3.1 miles), Sun- 6 miles. My mom and I got up bright and early on the 4th to participate in a 5k at Redondo Beach. It was a very family -oriented event so kids and dogs were everywhere but thankfully, I didn't trip over anyone, although, there were a few close calls! :) My mom did a great job and we had a good time. This morning was a comedy of errors for me but I eventually made it to practice, although, a bit late and the team had already left for the run. I headed out on my own hoping to catch up and I did which was encouraging. I'm not sure how far we were really supposed to go today but I did about 6 miles which means I've completed the same distance 3 weeks in a row! That will change next week. My goal for this week is to increase all my mid-week distances to at least 3 miles.

Fundraising Stats: No change this week. I start to get nervous when this happens and begin to wonder if I've taken on a challenge that's just too big. But I quickly remember the people who will benefit from this money and I know the donations will come in. So, thank you in advance for the contributions that will be made in the weeks to come, you are part of an important mission...to save lives.

Mission: Last week, someone spoke to us about the First Connection (Peer-to-Peer) Program that the LLS offers to newly diagnosed patients and their families. This program matches up the patient with a volunteer who has been through what they are experiencing and offers support and helps them get connected with the LLS and other community resources. They are matched up according to age, diagnosis and gender when possible. This program is free to the patients and caregivers so this is one way the LLS is using your donations.

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7/13/08- Week 8

This week was CRAZY for me and my schedule alone made finding time for workouts difficult but I'd also been experiencing some lower back pain. Last week, I went to Top To Top to buy new shoes, knowing I was overdue, and settled on the Asics Foundation. Unfortunately, they were out of my size so an order was placed and I would have to wait for their arrival. I finally picked them up on Friday, along with a RunLite 4 Hydration Belt that is soooooo much better than the last one I bought, and I also had a good conversation with an employee who's also a marathon coach. He was really encouraging and re-emphasized the importance of stretching, saying that he stretches twice a day when training. I've been stretching but not everyday and certainly not twice a day but I'm going to try a short stretch in the morning and a longer session (30 minutes max.) in the evening. He seems to think this will make a big difference in my ability to run, we'll see if he's right.

This morning was the first day with my new shoes (which I've named Thelma & Louise) and I'm happy to report that I didn't have any lower back pain! I do have an impressive blister but that will eventually take care of itself as my feet get used to their new digs. So far, Thelma & Louise have 8 miles behind them. I'm excited about moving forward in my training and hopeful that utilizing these new tools will help me progress. So, once again, I feel like I have a new life! Whew.

Thank you to my friend, Joel Limpic, and Mr./Ms. Anonymous for your donations this week! You are also two huge reasons for my latest rejuvenation! I can't express how encouraging your contributions and comments are to me. THANK YOU!

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7/22/08- Week 9

Wait For Me….

I seem to be having one of those weeks (or 2) when you feel like life is zooming past and you’re doing all you can to keep things in site so you don’t lose it completely! Actually, that’s what I do most Sunday mornings at my team run. My goal is always to keep Jen and Elizabeth in site because losing them means I’m may never catch up and that won’t do! So, it’s Tuesday and I’m making time to leave my weekly update.

I have to say that I think the daily stretching is helping me significantly. Both of my midweek runs, 3 miles each, felt great! My ability to run has improved and even the walk pace seemed to increase. As I ran on Friday, I began to contemplate my approach to these shorter distances and realized I do the opposite to most runners because I don’t consider myself one of them. I tend to think about these as walks with run breaks but what would happen if I changed my mentality and thought about them as runs with walk breaks. Well, it turns out I run more than half the distance. Maybe this was a fluke but I’m hoping this is a new trend in my running life!

My “long run” on Sunday wasn’t exactly long. I was at my parents’ place for the weekend and instead of running outside I found myself in the workout room in their building. When I first got there, the treadmill was occupied so I resigned myself to completing 2 hours on the elliptical machine. After 30 minutes, I was done and the treadmill became free so I hopped on and only lasted 30 minutes before I gave up. First of all, there should be a law regulating the temperature of these rooms and it ought to be below 75 degrees! I was the sweatiest I have EVER been after this workout. Secondly, I think I’ve lost my ability to enjoy the treadmill. Maybe it was just the heat but I was dying and bored to tears. So, I guess that was my down week and I’ll be back up and hopefully, completing 10 miles on my next long run. (WOO HOO, double digits!)

Thank you, Rania Dallal and Melissa Wallenbeck, for your donations this week! I’ve been baking and selling cookies at work but at $2 a pop, it’s going to take me a while to reach my goal. So, I REALLY appreciate your generous support, ladies! I also wanted to publicly thank the people that made early donations and whose names didn’t make it to this particular forum. My very first donation came in early May from an anonymous donor so I don’t know who this special person is but thank you! Donations from Kelly Jackson, Tyler & Kendall Krohn, and Nadeem & Bethany Dallal followed. I want to make sure you all know how much I appreciate your support. It does take a village!

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7/27/08- Week 10

Old friends, New friends

New friend: I want to thank Anna, one of my Westside TNT teammates, who stayed with me this morning for the full 8.5 miles! It is such a help to have someone with you for the full distance. Someone to help pass the time but also to keep you motivated when you're getting tired and to return the favor when they need it. (Sounds like a metaphor for life, really.) I've been having some hip issues this week and I was scared about what might happen when I tried to complete this mileage but I made it thanks in large part to Anna's support. We anticipated doing 10 miles so we missed the mark there, accidentally stopping before we were supposed to, but I'll take it considering this hips! Following the recommendation of my coach, I'm hoping to get a foam roller this week to help "massage" the muscles around the hips and continue with 2 mid-week runs, strength training, and all the stretching I can muster! In some ways, the training has been easier this season and in other ways, it's been more difficult. I'm glad I'm not doing this alone. Thanks, friends (all of you,) for your support. I need it.

Old friend: As many of you know first-hand, Facebook is a remarkable way to reconnect with people from your past. One of my recent reconnections was with my childhood friend, Marcy, who quickly and generously made a donation after we caught up with each other. She reminded me that she lost her cousin to leukemia in 1994. I'm pretty sure I remember meeting Derrick at her sister Wendy's wedding. I didn't know then that 15 years later, I would be training for my 2nd event with TNT and raising money to find a cure for the cancer that Derrick bravely faced. Or that I would lose touch with this family and reconnect with them at this particular time.

Old & New Friends: Jamie Laboz, Marcy Newbern, and Erik Jones are the generous people that made donations this week! Thank you so much for your support and partnership! I know I've said this before but I can't express how much I need and appreciate your participation in this challenge. THANK YOU!

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8/4/08- Week 11

One Half

This week marks the half way point in our training! I actually feel encouraged by this because it feels like I might actually be ready in another 10 weeks. I think I was freaking out at this point last season so it's kinda nice to be more relaxed and even confident that I'll be able to go the distance. Yesterday, I hit 12 miles! I don't think we'll train past 20 miles so this is beyond the half way point for our training distance and it's pretty close to a half marathon distance. Phew, I'm going to make it a second time! :)

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/natebrownell

I received an email last week that included the above link to the story of one little boy's determination to beat a diagnosis of ALL. I think sometimes I forget that people are being diagnosed every day and when I read that Nate and his family got the news this past May, I was jarred again into this difficult reality. He's expected to undergo treatment for 3 years and has many hurdles to face at such a young age so keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I encourage you to visit Nate's website and read his story/journal. It's a reminder of the bravery of little ones, the love of family and friends, and the importance of our involvement...now, not "someday."

SO MANY GENEROUS people decided to get involved this week by visiting my website and making donations to the LLS. It is with a grateful heart that I thank Jessica & Greg McCracken, Anonymous, Cheryl Bish, Jennifer & Andrea Kamell, Andrea Hamilton, Andi Smith, Michael Gilbert, Debby Schnitzer, Jennifer & Perry Covington, Ben Aken and Katie Hala. Wow, that's quite a list for one week! I want to mention that while I know most of these generous people, there are a few I've never met but who decided to support the cause after reading an email that was forwarded to them from one of my friends. I think we all realize that we're in this together...life, that is, and taking opportunities to make help others is what it's all about. The money doesn't go to me, it goes directly to the LLS to help patients like Nate. So thank you for donating, thank you for leaving encouraging notes, and thank you for telling others about this opportunity to get involved in finding a cure for cancer now, not "someday."

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8/10/08- Week 12

13 Going on 3200

Well, friends, I've made it to the half marathon mark! Right after completing 13 miles on Sunday, I walked/crawled farther than .1 miles to the bus so I think it counts! It was a toasty morning, allowing us to work on our tans at 8am, but we did it. I've reached the half way point in my training calendar and the half way point in my distance so the next hurdle is reaching the $1600 mark in my fundraising (currently at $1310) and I'll be half way in all areas. I'm soooo close!

Many people have stepped up and decided to partner with me in supporting the LLS and I can't thank you enough! I got a call this week from the mom of Audrey, one of my teams young honored teammates currently undergoing treatment for leukemia, saying thank you for what we're doing so I pass that along to all you. We're doing this together and real people are affected by your generosity in very real ways. This week, I'd like to thank Betty Weaver, Denise Bartos, Perry Covington, Patty Peperato, Rachel Dobbs, Renee Menkhaus, and Mac & Linda McCracken for your donations, encouraging words and support. I've been saying that the world is full of good and generous people and the donations and kind words that have come in from friends, family, colleagues, and especially strangers are my proof.

After work today, I turned in my paperwork to the office, signed my life away and told them no matter what I would finish 26.2 miles and raise at least $3200 in the next 6 weeks to further their mission! It's the real deal. One way or another those 2 things will happen...I wonder how? It'll be exciting to see it all unfold!

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8/18/08- Week 13

Confessions of a Non-Teenage Drama Queen

*Warning: This is not my usual update and if you choose to skip down to the "Thank you" portion, I will certainly understand and might even encourage it.

The Freak Out- It arrived. The email. It arrived. Registration Confirmation. It's here. It's a done deal. I'm officially registered with Nike and am expected to show up at the starting line bright and early on Oct. 19th. Why is this just hitting me now? I don't know. Who's brilliant idea was it to do this a 2nd time? Sure, I sent out the original invite to friends but they were supposed to tell me I'm crazy and that running a marathon together would be the dumbest way to spend a reunion weekend. They were supposed to politely say no and immediately request that I have my head examined. But noooooooooooooo [insert whiny teenage voice], they had to say yes right away and start training/fundraising and getting excited about the cause and health benefits and the challenge of it all. Great. Now, what? Sure, it'll be good for me. Sure, I still whole-heartedly support the cause and (unfortunately) continue to find reasons to support cancer research. And sure, doing something to benefit the world makes a reunion even more special. But...it's haaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrd. [Again, insert whiny teenage voice.] I have 101 reasons why it's hard but I'll spare you for now. I've been mostly positive this season, even in the midst of the difficult weeks, believing that positive thinking can only have positive affects. Well, I'm freaking out now...releasing the pent up negative energy, hoping that getting this out of my system will somehow free me to accept the positive energy I've been practicing for months.

The Training- Now, that I've taken a few deep breaths, I'll tell you that I've completed 13 miles two weeks in a row. Back to back, half marathons...not bad. And I'll tell you that I walked them. Another confession. I'm not a runner. I want to be but I'm not at this kind of distance. So, I'll continue to try to increase my running during my short mid-week distances and hope that someday, I'll be able to incorporate the running into my long training sessions. I hope that doesn't disappoint anyone. I'm trying to be a proud walker and take solace in the fact that I walk almost as fast as some of the runners. So, I'm certainly not out for a Sunday stroll!

The Thank Yous- A few more deep breaths. With this season being more difficult, I can't tell you how encouraging it is to receive your donations and notes. Often times, that's the thing that gets me out of bed at 6:15 on Sunday mornings to meet my team and keeps me going when I think I can't give anymore. Sometimes, I think about specific donors and dedicate that mile to them or the person in their life who has battled cancer. If you have made a donation and would like to dedicate a specific mile to your loved one, let me know which mile you'd prefer and I'll gladly walk (or run, if I can) in their honor. This week, I send out a special thank you to Allyncia Williams, Pasha Hosseini, Megan Moelbert, and Jill & Dave Humes for your generous donations. With your help, we're at 46% of my goal.

*Disclaimer- I do believe in what we're doing and believe that all goals will be met. This is just an honest moment in one girl's journey to the finish line.

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8/25/08- Week 14

Rough Waters

Wow, today started off reeeeeeeally rough (http://amy-atthemoment.blogspot.com/2008/08/things-ive-done-today.html) but thankfully, ended with a great walk/run and I'm even looking forward to the walks/runs throughout the week! I think it's because we're getting ever closer to race day, which is terrifying and exciting. Thankfully, both emotions lead to motivation. It's terrifying because I do not feel ready for 26.2 miles and it's exciting because soon it will be over! Hallelujah! Okay, okay, it's also going to be a fantastic weekend and the race itself will actually be fun...hard but fun.

This past weekend, I took a little trip to visit my friend, Rania, in San Diego. It was great to get away for a couple days and see friends. Now, I know what you're thinking so go ahead and ask. "Amy, did you run or did you forget that you're a woman in your 30s training for a marathon and party for 48 hours straight?" Well, I had great plans for a good workout Saturday morning while Rania was working and workout clothes took up most of my suitcase space. I mean, between the pants, sports bra, socks, jacket, hat and gigantic running shoes there was barely room for anything else. In fact, there wasn't even room for a shirt...apparently. That's right, I forgot a shirt. And yes, I know that some women run wearing only a sports bra but I also know that just because Susie does it, doesn't mean I should do it. Citizens of San Diego, you can thank me by making a donation right now. Now, this shirt thing was not going to stop me, I was going to find a way to work out. I remembered I brought a bathing suit, Rania had a lovely pool, and my friend, Jen, had been water jogging for 3 weeks do to an injury. I'll try that! Of course, I didn't have the flotation device that she said was very important but surely, it isn't absolutely necessary, right?! The pool was really nice but only 5 feet deep, this proved to be tricky. I tried everything, running around the perimeter of the pool, holding on to the side of the pool, the steps of the pool, the handle of the pool's ladder, anything that would give me the height I needed to "run" without hitting the bottom of the pool. I can only imagine the entertainment that I provided for the surrounding apartments. I'm sure I looked ridiculous not only because I was contorting my body every which way in an attempt to simulate running in water that was too shallow but also because I had all my hair shoved into a Nike hat as I tried to protect the newly colored locks from both the sun and chlorine. (Vanity, vanity.) After at least an hour of this, I called it quits. I definitely got a decent workout but I'm not sure I worked any of the intended muscles. Jen, I get it. The flotation device and a deep pool are very, very important! This week, I have a bit of catching up to do but I'm ready. Bring it. (I'm so tough!)

Many, many thanks to Cyndi & Allan Lepine, Mark Nagel, Kori Ayers, and Jenn & Matt Scherdin for your generous donations this week! With your help, we've raised $1775! It's so fun to see where the donations come from and how many seasons of my life are represented by the people that have chosen to join me in this challenge. The above names alone represent my family, a friend/artist I worked with in the KC studio, a friend I worked with back in my college admission days, and a friend/older sister of a friend of mine from elementary school! Over the past several months, donations have come in from such different and sometimes unexpected parts of my life for this one purpose, to support patients and their families and to find a cure for cancer. I know I keep saying it but I really can't thank you enough for your contributions, it's so encouraging. We are $1425 away from the goal and have just 5 weeks left to reach it so if you're reading this now, I hope you'll dig deep and find a way to give a little or big something to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society today!