Racing to Save Lives

Thank you for coming to my Team in Training home page!

Three years ago, I could barely run for 30 seconds on the treadmill and now I am training with an amazing group of people to learn to run a marathon (26.2 miles to be exact). We will be training almost daily for the next four months. And you may wonder why exactly I am doing this, doesn't she have enough on her plate?

I am running to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop blood cancers from taking more lives. We need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I am running this race for three personal reasons I would like to share with you.

1)The celebration of life. I would like to honor my Grandmother, Ruth Berman (Bubby) who will celebrate her 100th birthday, G-d willing, on May 16th, 2009. Finding a cure is about life and my grandmother represents the very essence of life.

2)Growing up with a childhood illness has taught me to embrace a positive outlook on life and believe in the human power to make a difference. I remember with intense clarity the special things that people did for me along the way. I learned the depth of human compassion both in children and adults, and for that I choose to give back.

3)During the pregnancy of my third child, they did a family mapping for genetic or health disorders in our family. We looked pretty fantastic , except for CANCER, CANCER, CANCER

Mom-Skin Cancer

Mother-in-law- Breast Cancer

Father-in-law Bladder Cancer

Aunts both sides-Breast Cancer

Grandmother -Pancreatic Cancer

Grandfather-Prostate Cancer

And this does not include the long list of my dear friends, dear friend's parents, siblings, children, and niece/nephews that have cancer

It just has to stop!

It is economic times like we are experiencing now, that the power of your donation means more than ever! Cancer does not care about the economy. Please make a donation to support my participation and to further LLS's mission.

Feel free to pass this message along to friends and family. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Thank you!! I genuinely appreciate your help and support. Much love, Lori

P.S. Please favorite my site and come back often. I will be blogging my progress. I am sure this will add some fantastic weekly comedy to your day.

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

=======================================

My website was merged and a few of my wonderful donations got deleted. I want to send a special thank you to the following people:

Michael Adler$501.69

Robert Sheets$500.00

Talee Sands$118.00

Randy Rosen$100.00

Barbara Katzman$100.00

Lori Miralles$50.00

Leanne Helfman$50.00

Arjun Arora$25.00

Tino Pagano$25.00

Kevin Yasui$50.00

Gerrie Madera$100.00

Ron Hertzberg$50.00

In this weeks email from our Coach Chris he shared the following:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"

~ Margaret Mead

Each week our Coach shares his inspirational words with us. Each and every one of the quotes holds special meaning to each of us in this experience. Running with teammates who are fighting Leukemia alone provides incredible inspiration.

Coach Chris shares with us that it means more to him to get us to cross the finish line than it does to us. He will get us there. That every step we take helps fight for a cure for blood cancer. We need to be patient. We need to believe.

Chris has been dedicated to Team in Training for the last 5 years with a lifetime goal of raising over $100,000 to help find a cure for blood cancer. He brought himself to the team after his father lost his battle with Leukemia. Unfortunately his story does not end there. While his father was fighting for his life, Chris and his wife were expecting their first baby. An awaited grandchild for his father...a sense of hope. The baby girl they had longed for passed away at birth. Chris' father lost the battle shortly after. But, keeping hope alive they were once again pregnant with a boy. Shockingly Chris' wife during her pregnancy was diagnosed with cancer. How much is too much handle? Fortunately, the story now turns positive. They were able to save their son and since then have had a second child...a daughter. Chris' wife is now a year four survivor and just finishing another round of radiation. I share this story for many reasons...most importantly why it is so important for us to help in the fight for a cure for any and all cancers. And, why as human beings we need to stand up and do our part to make a difference.

Chris has provided an amazing example of fortitude not only with his contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but also to five years of teammates helping them cross the finish line. As a coach, it is another full time job...he is a mentor...a friend...a doctor..a motivator..and so much more...He is known to run over 40 miles in the marathon along with the other coaches helping their team make it to the finish line...running back and forth throughout the course to find his team. I have been told that Chris is everywhere..searching out his team. It is time for Chris to get some of the good karma back that he deserves.

I am also lucky because Chris is my long-time friend. We went to college together and spent nearly every morning eating breakfast together on the "roof" at CSUN. I always remembered the super big breakfast he ate...and things have not changed 20 years later. The only problem is Chris refers to himself as old during every practice...hey hey..please stop that. It does not help me trying to channel 20 years old. It is ironic now that Chris always looked out for me in college...like a big brother...and now he is doing the same. His fellow teammates try to get the real scoop on Chris from back in the day...but do not worry I am the perfect holdout.

I am so forever thankful that he helped persuade me to join the team.

May 11th, 2009

The good news is I am recovering quicker from the Sunday runs. I actually walk somewhat normal for me. I decided again this week to aqua jog for my mid-week workouts. After going back and forth in my head, I decided this would put me in the best position for the 20 mile run on Sunday. The funny part is I learned on Mother's Day that my kids have realized how fantastic I am at aqua jogging. The beginning of Tobey's card read, "My mom is good at working, My mom is good at aqua jogging, My Mom is good at making burritos, My Mom is a good hugger" I am glad aqua jogging made it to the top of the list on what I am good at. But, burritos? I cook once every 5 years and Tobey is not quite 7....so the one time I cooked must have had impact on him. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but at least I am a good hugger.

Sunday morning I was a bit nervous for the 20 miler, plus my hamstring muscle was hurting. What, something else? Tried to stretch it, but it hurt every time I started to run. I started with my group and I was definitely limp running. So frustrating. I ran the first 2 miles with my pace group 2, but the pain was causing me problems. My coach recommended that I maybe not run, and I felt just terrible. Hard to explain, but emotionally I needed to run. I need to run. I needed to believe in myself. The pain was not accelerating, so at least that was good. One of my teammates Tracy at the water stop, said come run with us in pace group 3, so I decided to give it a try. The pace was a little slower and I needed to remind myself to adapt. The further we ran my hamstring actually started to feel better...not perfect..but it was working itself out. I am doing this...Around mile 15, I performed a matrix style move. My shoe snagged on the sidewalk and I went flying in slow motion...seriously slow motion, and then slowly rolled to the ground. I got up...and I was ok...let's keep running.

I did it! I ran 20 miles. I wanted to cry I was so happy. I believe I can do the marathon. I can run another 6.2 miles. I lost my toe nail after the run, but I really did not care...I ran 20 miles. And, I actually feel pretty good today on Monday...a little shocking after 20 miles, but not bad. I will talk to my PT Ethan about the hamstring to get that all fixed up...what is he not fixing on me?

So now we enter the taper before the race. The distance slows down and we just get healthy before the big day.

I just want to say a big thank you again to all my friends and family following my blogging. We are almost at $10,000 to help put an end to cancer. I would give up all my toe nails to accomplish this goal

May 4th , 2009

Just thinking it is 12 days until my Grandma's 100th birthday. Incredible. She will for sure want some sushi on the actual day. It has been a tradition the last 5 years, ever since she thought maybe I should try that. I love the fact at 95 how open minded one can be to try something new. It was at this moment I thought maybe on my race jersey I will add the wording "4 life" because that is what I am running for...

So between my knees, toes, and ankles...I just laugh at myself and keep thinking after I figure all of this out it will be easier the next time. I go through all spectrums of emotions each week...fear, frustrations, excitement, pride, and passion for what I am doing. But, deep down I want to figure this out...because I want to keep running and helping people.

On Friday before my run, I went to the shoe store and met with my shoe guy. Told him my story...you know the toes, ankle, and knees. I thought he would be like...oh great here she comes, but instead he remembered me from when I first got shoes from him. He said to me I am really proud of you. You were only running 3 miles in February and now you just ran 17 that is fantastic. We decided to go up a half size with the same shoe to give my toes more room when they swell with the long mileage.

Sunday was to be a 14 mile taper run, getting ready for next Sunday's 20 miler. The coach announced that we would instead be running 12 miles only since so many of us were hurting. When did 12 miles become only? Knees taped, toes taped, ready to go. I was really tired today and had a hard time. I kept my pace slow and just focused on finishing. At one point, I wanted to stop on a steep hill, but thought of Laura our honored teammate and her new struggles...it helped me keep going.

April 30th, 2009

After my 15 mile run, I kept up with my aqua jogging, stretching, icing, physical therapy, mommy duties, work (Don't worry Mike...always working). On Wednesday, April 22nd we had a charity run at work. It was called "Beat the Banana" ...now all of you can clear your minds. It is about one person dressed up as a banana and everyone tries to beat the banana. Since Randy is our fastest Banana he won the honor. He was nice enough to slow down and let three people beat him. It is an Informa Global fundraiser for cancer research and it is the first year our office participated. It was a 5K run or walk, and I must say I was so proud to have over 100 participants from our company. I was still sore from Sunday, but it meant so much to me to get out with my co-workers. I ran with Sabine and just enjoyed the energy and humor.

On Saturday night, together with Sabine we had a girls only "passion party"... So much fun with my ladies...and I can't disclose anything else, except for all money raised goes to LLS.

I must say I was nervous for Sunday's 17 mile run. I think I get a little insecure before the new runs...my ankles, my knees, my toes, will I make it, of course I will make it, needing to go the bathroom. It was cooler than last Sunday, which I must say was a tremendous help. I felt better on this run than the previous week's long run. Oh my...I did it! 17...26.2 close right?

So the good news is I made it. Ankles held up. Knees sore and taped, but not terrible. Toes...oh my toes...I wore a big toe condom on the big toe this time, which worked, but the other toes suffered. I got two blisters under my toe nails, that are...oh so gross. So back to aqua jogging this week to let them recover, a trip the doctor to come up with a "Toe Project Plan" and still desperately trying to figure out what to do about my shoes. This coming Sunday is a taper run of 14 miles, so my goal is to try to get the toe and shoe issue worked out for Sunday. Ethan, my wonderful PT, tells me I am not allowed to come in with any more issues .

April 20th, 2009

Following my 13 mile run on April 5th, I had my follow up doctor's appointment on Monday afternoon. He was very impressed with my progress and ecstatic to hear that I had successfully completed my Sunday run. He wants me to keep up with physical therapy until the marathon as well as have my PT work my knee issue.

Dr. Singer also gave me "Toe Condoms" for my blisters. I asked if they were 99% effective. I got a good laugh from the doctor...but seriously how effective are they?

I kept up with the aqua jogging during the week rather than running to help my ankle and knee get better. At night you can typically find me icing my ankle and knee with my laptop working in bed. And, my iTunes playing in the background.

The next Sunday, April 12th was a 10 mile taper run. In all honesty, I did not know what tapering meant until recently. But, taper is a good word. It gives your body time to recover before the next ramp. It is still shocking to me that 10 miles was a taper for me. It was a hilly run and beautiful outside. I must say running uphill was much easier than running downhill on my knees. But, overall my ankles felt great and my knee felt much better than last Sunday's run (Thanks to Ethan my PT teaching me how to tape my knee in place).

I earned two more blisters. This time my second toe got a blood blister (and, no I was not wearing the condom). I twittered about my blood blister (Anyone out there saying...hmm what is Twitter). I got some great information back in seconds...faster than Google .

I felt so good during the run and then became completely deflated by Monday because everything started to hurt so much again. On Tuesday, I tried to go out for my mid-week run and I could not even put pressure on my ankle. What! Coach Chris recommended after three weeks of blisters to go back to the running store, but I could not even run on a treadmill to show them at the store. Completely frustrated. I went to PT again on Tuesday and we started working hard again on my ankle and knee. I aqua jogged on Wednesday and Thursday to keep up my running strength and cardio. On Thursday at the PT office Ethan experimented and put something in my shoe to help even out my legs. I got on the treadmill and it felt remarkably better. Not sure if it was in my head, my body warmed up, or the leg lift...but I felt progress. I rested my body from running on Friday and Saturday to give myself a clean shot for Sunday's 15 mile run.

So yesterday, April 19th after four hours of sleep from a whirlwind weekend, I left the house at 5:50 a.m. to head out to Santa Monica for the 15 mile run. I wore my toe condom on the toe next to my big toe, used body glide all over to make sure I did not get any new blisters in unwanted places, and went for it. It was a really fantastic run. I had soreness in my ankle and knee, but honestly not that bad (unless I have a completely messed up perspective on pain). I felt tired between mile 10 to 13 and slowed a little, but picked it up in the end and finished nicely with my pace group. Wow! 15 miles..never would have thought possible.

But, most importantly...the verdict on the toe condom. My toe was perfect. Unbelievable. But, my unprotected big toe not so perfect. Huge blood blister on the side of the toe. Icky! Need to for sure go to the running store today. The funny part was as I was taking my shoes off after the run before we jumped into the ocean, one of my teammates said, "You have really nice feet for a runner, "which I then said, "You want to see my other foot." At least we are still laughing after 15 miles.

April 6, 2009

So the progress continues...On Sunday March 29th rather than running the 12 miles with my team, my coach recommended a hybrid approach. One hour and 30 minutes of aqua jogging with a 6 mile run immediately following the swim. So with my teammate Mary, who is dealing with an injury, we met early in the morning at the Santa Monica Aquatic center. Besides forgetting my towel, the aqua jog was great and we quickly changed and headed out on Pico for our run. My ankles were feeling slightly sore, but not too bad (Whoo Hoo Progress)! I was feeling some pain in my knee, opposite leg that was slowing me down a little, but overall for my first run back out it was great.

So during the week, I kept up mid-week runs as aqua jogs with Sabine to further let my ankle heal. On Wednesday, Randy from work headed out with me for a real street run. Ankles felt great, but knee soreness was still there. Also continued with physical therapy this week working my ankles hard. It is almost hard to keep track of it all.

Yesterday, April 5th was our team's 13 mile run. My PT and coach agreed I was good to try it out and just monitor how I feel during the run. I am very proud to say I completed the run and with extremely minimal pain in my ankle. My knee was still aggravating me and slowed me down a bit at the end. I tested out some shot blocks and salt pills during the run. The plan is to keep testing out different nutrition mixes so I am set for the big 26.2 miles!

My goal is to check with my doctor and physical therapist this week to nip the knee pain. I am still icing and stretching...and all of that fun routine to keep myself in the best shape.

So a few new blisters, but at least I know now that it is not sticks in my shoes.

I was tired last night...and crashed pretty early. Not like me to ever go to bed early

March 26th, 2009

Wow! It has been an incredible couple of weeks since my last update...My big news is I officially decided to do the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on May 31st, 2009. I had three marathons to choose from and it was a difficult decision. Alaska was calling me...but in the end I decided it was more important to be with the majority of my teammates that I work so hard with each week, my partner in this adventure Sabine, and my Coach Chris (who would only be selected for one out of town marathon...and does not find out until later in the season). Plus...it will make it far easier for my family's smiling cheering faces to join me in San Diego. So March 17th was recommitment day..and I completed my paperwork...and made a promise to myself and to you...to make it to the finish line.

On Sunday March 7th, our team took a field trip to Marina Del Rey. It was an 8 mile run and at this point each run is my longest run and a new accomplishment for me. I was feeling great that day. I started off with my pace group (still unbelievably in pace group 2) and really enjoyed my run. As the run continued I broke off with one of my teammates Danielle ahead of the group. We both were feeling really good and finished the 8 mile run strong. We joked as we finished that we were pace group 1.5. After the run, I joined the team for our ritual team breakfast and enjoyed the company of Javier, Rachel, and Erin.

Our mid-week workouts ramped up this week. Together with Sabine we found a new route during the week for a 45 minute run (approximately 4.5 miles). We tried it out on Tuesday and it worked out great. It was actually nice to change things up a little bit. On Wednesday night, we had our last strength and conditioning class before hill training. The class was a fantastic class to work all of those critical muscles we need for marathon day. As a team ritual for the last class there is a plank contest. We had been working on planks for each class for 30 or 60 second intervals. Imagine being in the push up position with your elbows laying on the ground (ok...terrible visual...if you see me I can demo it for you)...Well anyway, I had been told that typical winners go a little beyond 4 minutes. So..I put on my Survivor mode and channeled myself...I went a little over seven minutes and came in third...I was very proud of my finish...being one of the oldest in the group

I think the plank contest may have foreshadowed some things to come. My ankle was a little sore after the contest and iced it that night. The following day was another 45 minute run. Cardio felt great...but ankle was sore. I finished the rub...but was slightly worried about my ankle. I decided to skip Saturday's 30 minute run to give my ankle a break and get ready for Sunday's 10 mile run.

On Sunday March 14th, our team met back at our normal location in Santa Monica for our 10 mile run. My ankle was slightly sore, but did not seem like any big deal. The first 8 miles of the run were great with my pace group. I could feel the soreness, but it seemed part of the adventure, right? The last two miles my ankle was on fire. I just wanted to run to finish. Two of my teammates were also sore, so I did not feel alone. Ok...so not the right logic. I also felt like there was a stick in my right shoe. I kept thinking..a stick...how did a stick get in my right shoe. Ok...just run...just finish. It felt really good to finish the 10 miles and do some serious stretching. As a team we walked to breakfast on third street...as always it was great to sit with my team for our well deserved meal. After breakfast, I wanted to go to the restroom before my hour drive home, Oh my...I can't walk...what?? I limped myself to the restroom...try to shake it out...and then managed to walk back to my car.

The ankle saga....

As I arrived home...I parked in my driveway and decided to finally check out the stick in my shoe. Ok...not a stick. Two huge blisters on my big toe...and the toe next to it, Ok, and now I cannot even stand on my left foot...not at all. Fortunately Jules was home and carried me to the couch to check out the damaged goods. He popped, drained, and poured iodine on my blisters. I think he got secret pleasure in torturing me. Ok...blisters done...check.

Iced ankle, elevated ankle...RICE...Not good on Monday morning. I could walk...but serious hurt. Thankfully, I emailed Coach Chris and he helped me get into a Doctor at UCLA that afternoon. I was a little stressed to see a doctor. I have never been really good at taking advice of rest...I usually look at the Doctor and say...Do you know anything about me? Well, this Doctor was great. He completely understands the mentality of marathon runners and his goal was to get me running as soon as possible.

So since then, I have taken up aqua jogging (with some of my great Aqua partners Mary, Sabine, and some other lucky injured teammates). Aqua jogging is an amazing equivalent to running, but with no pressure on those ankles. Each time I do it, I enjoy it more. And it is not easy...plus I love the strange looks I get...thinking what is she doing?

After the second doctor visit, he prescribed me physical therapy (special thank you to Chuck Miwa to helping me find the PT team) to help fix the tendon issue in my left ankle and some serious stretching to my calf muscles. I was able to learn after the first session that my left leg is longer than my right leg. Is that why I walk left? Just like my doctor, the entire PT team is dedicated in getting me back on the streets. Love it!

I am excited to report that I can walk pain free now as of yesterday and tested out some light running on the treadmill at physical therapy today. It made my ankle a little sore again, but nothing too terrible. So cross your fingers...hoping to be back out on the streets on Sunday!

March 1, 2009

You can ask me any questions about banking trends over the last 20 years and I am ready to go...but running....I know nothing about running.

I am fortunate to have an amazing group of co-workers that started this journey with me. In early January, we started running together 3 miles. All of us pushing and learning to run together. We completed our first 5K race together on Valentine's Day (Informa Road Runners) for Pancreatic Cancer. Some of us walked and some of us ran, but we all waited at the finish line cheering everyone on.

I also made the huge leap in January to join Team in Training. I am so fortunate to be able to be part of this team. Sabine, one of my co-workers, is my partner in this adventure.

On February 15th, I attended my first practice...never running more that 3 miles. We were placed in pace groups based upon our times from the first practice that I missed. So I submitted my time from the 5K and I was placed in Pace Group Two. There are six pace groups with one being the fastest. Hmmm..I do not really belong in Pace Group Two.

We train by interval running ( 5 minute run, 1 minutes walk). The amazing part is I completed 4 miles and I felt great..and I kept up with my group. The following weekend we completed 5 miles and today I completed 7 miles. I still cannot believe I ran 7 miles.

I am working right now on my form, asking a million questions, and getting to know my teammates. Each week a teammate shares their personal story of their fight with Leukemia or the fight of a loved one. I know why I am here...making a difference one week at a time.