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Above, Alaska marathon and half marathon finishers after the celebration dinner.

We did it!

On June 20th, five months of training, planning, and fundraising came together in the most majestic of places. It was an unforgettable weekend packed with meaning and many personal milestones. If you'll indulge me in this final (and lengthy message), I'll recap the Anchorage trip, TNT's awesomeness, fundraising totals, 9 ways you can continue to fight blood cancer, and the proposed date for a supporter appreciation Pisco party.

Alaska Recap

Marathon weekend day was everything everyone said it would be---and more.

The weekend began at 5:30am on Wednesday 17 with 10.5 hours of flying to Anchorage, Alaska. With 50.0 pounds of luggage for the 4-night trip, I had more stuff than half my team combined. I also had an entire locker in my carry-on, including everything I would need on marathon day (2 GU's, Gatorade powder mix, Sport Jelly Beans, peanut butter for breakfast, fluid belt, shoes, socks, singlet, bug spray, etc.). Of course, the flights were uneventful and I didn't use 1/3 of what I brought, but I was prepared for all four seasons. We arrived to a bright sunny sky and cool (60-degree) temperatures.

Thursday, we continued to acclimate and many of us took in the wonders of Kenai Fjords (see photo links below). Friday marked the kick-off of the TNT weekend and we had our first mandatory meeting about logistics and "risk". (In Alaska, this involves discussion of bear and moose encounters). This was followed by a poignant TNT inspiration & pasta dinner and an early bed time. Surprisingly, I had the best night of sleep since arriving to Alaska. And, no more nightmares of showing up to the race feeling naked---which in marathon context means I dreamt of arriving to the race without a watch or shoes.

5:11 in brief

Miles 1-4:

I started the run alongside steady and entertaining teammates, Annie and Bill. Perfect running weather-about 50-60 degrees, misty drizzle, and nice & smooth course surface. I'm thinking, “We’ve got this! Marathons aren’t THAT hard…â€

Miles 5-6:

I think this is where we spotted a bear chilling on the edge of a golf course. If I hadn't been running with “pace like a metronome Bill†there is a good chance I would have either turned back or finished the marathon in half the time I did (driven by pure fear of seeing another bear).

Miles 7-15:

Here it is-the Tank Trail. It's woodsy, rocky, hilly, gravelly, but simultaneously scenic and in places downright gorgeous. On several occasions I stopped to stretch and take in the views of Anchorage, mountains, waterfalls, or river crossings. When not sightseeing, I steady my balance on the gravel and running conservatively, careful not to tweak my already weak ankles or expend too much energy there (the surface was so tough, it was akin to running on sand).

Miles 16-18:

Though I was lucid during the race, I don't remember much now, other than keeping a steady pace and being content while running. Having not run with a watch most of the season, my goal was to simply run consistent mile splits and and hold enough in reserve to finish strong.

Miles 19-25:

My body is no longer fending off wear-n-tear of the tank trail. I regret not packing Tylenol in my fuel belt and I whimper here and there about the pieces of my legs I am leaving behind on the course. From here forward, I only run. Walk breaks, short as they were at 30 seconds, become too painful. The aches of my lower body feel more comfortable in running motion.

Miles 25-26:

The finish is in sight–just one long, steep hill away. I run it for my own personal glory (b/c it’s truly not necessary to run a hill you could have walked up faster).

Miles 26- to 26.2:

I remember smiling and mugging for cameras. I resist the urge to sprint the final 100M on the track b/c I had remembered Coach Mark's warning that this was a great way to pull a hamstring. I cross the finish line and leap into the arms of super teammate and my TNT

rock, Sharon (pictured prominently in the albums).

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In the week since I've been back, the talking points/bragging rights/quick memories that go with a marathon completed on a course of hills, roots, and big rocks have faded. Like most milestone events, I am walking away feeling as though I have taken much more than I have given. And like most good things, I know I'll be coming back for more. I can't wait to join another season and take these challenges to a new level. I already have my sights set on corporate partnerships to offer matching pledges and more ways to raise awareness of early detection of blood cancers.

It was a privilege to be part of this class-act TNT chapter. I am so humbled by my teammates, coaches, and mission captains' commitment to elevating our goal to find a cure for blood cancers.

Prior to this year, I had never imagined wanting, needing, or even being able to run this distance. But as the undertaking evolved—I met more and more people whose lives were affected by blood cancer. Conversations with perfect strangers at cocktail parties led to revelations about chemotherapy and disease counseling. Colleagues were not just colleagues after learning of newly diagnosed family members. Friends, family, and friends' family who became affected quickly rounded out the group of inspiring heroes in whose honor I drew strength from.

Photos

Photos of Marathon Day, including pre-race glamour shots, scenes from the course and post-run celebration are AVAILABLE HERE. Note that many of the photos have descriptive captions (you may need to hover your cursor or mouse over them to get the full description). Photo credits are due to my teammates from whom I copied many of these.

Photos from pre and post race days are AVAILABLE HERE. They include the descent to Anchorage, a day trip to Kenai Fjords to see a glacier and wildlife, and lots of pics of me and my teammates hamming it up for the camera.

Fundraising Totals

Your support was vital in helping me raise $5,151 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society--that's $651 above my original fundraising goal!

My Alaska-bound group of 22 raised a grand total of $83,980 for LLS.

The 22 of us joined 400 other TNT Alaska-bound marathoners from across the country and collectively raised $1.8 million for LLS while training for this event.

The National Capital Area Team--120 strong, included San Diego and Annapolis event runners--together raised $362,085 for LLS.

Approximately 75% of the money raised by TNT goes directly to patients and services. This is distributed almost evenly across three scopes of work: Research (33.7%); Patient and community service (36.7%); and public health and professional education (29.6%).

Trip Highlights

* Seeing a BEAR while running the marathon course

* Avoiding close contact with aforementioned bear and about 300 others living in the park we ran through

* Surviving the ice bath to which my roommate and her twin subjected me

* The Friday night Inspiration dinner --and the clamoring sounds of TNT coaches cheering for us as we entered the Pasta party.

* Bonding with my teammates, coaches, and their families

*TLC with Sharon and her twin sister Ruth

*Learning the craft of puffy painting, iron on letters and general bedazzlement for racing singlets (purple running jerseys)

* Day-tripping to a glacier, and seeing whales, orcas, puffins, and sea lions

* Being part of the classiest, smartest, funniest, most caring TNT team around.

Resources

Further below you will find links to Leukemia and Lymphoma patient and family resources. I’ve also included links to bone marrow and blood donation resources. Donating is easy and safe, and can help save lives. NAF and FP colleagues, stay tuned for an upcoming blood drive on site.

Various upcoming LLS fundraising events are listed, too.

Thank You or, “igamsiqanaghhalek†in Siberian Yupik

Thank you to our coaches, especially Mark and Matt, who were with us from the very beginning and taught me everything I needed to know about proper hydration, nutrition, injury recovery, and motivation, and for always being a joy to talk and train with. Thank you to the unforgettable coaching group who made the trip with us: Coaches Tina, Alex, Jim, and Simone. Our TNT staff lifeline Keri was amazing. My TNT Captain Deirdre and Colleen answered many, many questions and put my mind at easy all the way through the season. Mission captains Monique and Christina brought us the heart and soul of TNT each week---and I thank them. Thank you also to my inspiring teammates, their families who hugged me like their own, and those early AM water stop volunteers. It was an honor to be part of this outstanding chapter.

Thank you to the organizations and individuals who donated time, raffle prizes, and publicity for the April fundraisers. Thank you to Balance Gym for helping me like working-out again. Thank you to Mike P for for introducing me to TNT, and thank you to Paul T for welcoming me and sharing his TNT experience with me.

Thank YOU for being part of this journey. Thank you for tolerating me when my mind and body tired. Thank you for accommodating my requests and my many schedule changes. Thank you for giving, asking, calling, and, believing.

Though my training is over for now, my involvement with Team In Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is only beginning. I would love to talk to you if you are interested in joining TNT to walk, run, or run/walk a half-marathon or marathon (and I can also connect you to TNT triathletes and century cyclists).

Warm thanks to each of you,

Alejandra

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Together

Cancer is such a scary word,

no matter how it's spoken.

peace of mind taken for granted,

can be crushed and forever broken.

But together we could fight this!

It's an enemy from within us,

striking oh so randomly,

tomorrow it could be you,

for yesterday it was me.

So together we should fight this!

While science is advancing,

my heroes still are dying,

some treatments just aren't working,

but still we'll keep on trying

And together we will fight this!

Research is the magic word,

it's what we want to see,

nothing less than a cancer cure,

would mean so much to me.

For together we have fought this!

It'll take support from everyone,

to really see this through,

so peace of mind for all of us,

can start off fresh and new.

And together we will win!

- Linda Nielsen©

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Fundraising Events Recap!

On April 9, a one-of-a-kind debate between New America Foundation VP and Washington Note publisher Steve Clemons and Center for Security Policy Founder and President Frank Gaffney was deftly moderated by Foreign Policy Magazine Executive Editor, Susan Glasser.

Not only were 45+ people present at the NAF conference space to witness this historic meeting of the minds, but 120 viewers watched live online thanks to Steve (and TWN) and Mike Jones. If you missed it, please visit this page to replay the entire event.

For a short taste of the substantive and poignant nature of the debate, click here to watch an excerpt from the Q&A posted by the Center for Security Policy.

This evening would not have been possible without the gracious and enthusiastic participation of Susan, Steve, and Frank, to whom I will be forever indebted. They were not just event headliners but model DC citizens.

Earlier that week, Comet Ping Pong kindly hosted a ping pong tournament. We had a great time and several players and raffle winners even walked away with prizes, such as: Dinner for 4 at Bucks; Gift certificates to Modern Times CoffeeHouse and YogiBerry, a basket of Toats, and Personal Training sessions at Balance Gym and one-on-one with Blair Morrison. And we can�'t forget our youngest benefactor, 8 year old Ilan, who brought his chess boards to Comet where he mounted a chess stand and challenged adult players for small contributions, all of which he donated to LLS.

Please email me if you'd like the link to photos from the Comet event.

Heroes put on shoes, too

I often ran with teammate and friend John. Less than two years ago, John was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma. An intense, six month long treatment period followed, and with chemotherapy effectively killing the cells that were quickly multiplying inside this otherwise healthy young mans' body, John is on his way to reaching the 2-year remission mark this September. Did I mention that John is also training and set to run the San Diego Rock 'N Roll Marathon on May 31. I mention this for two reasons.

1. Until recently, Burkitt's Lymphoma was not well-understood.

Had John presented with these symptoms ten years ago, he likely would have been misdiagnosed, which would have led to incorrect treatment and a grim prognosis. Instead, he is training along side the rest of us, who==save for at least two other remarkable teammates==have not had cancerous cells attacking our bodies. John is one of my team heroes and is a reminder to me that disease research remains critical to save lives.

2. John introduced me to a LLS resource, First Connection.

Maybe you or someone you know, is newly diagnosed and looking to talk with someone who has "been through it"? Check out First Connection by clicking here. Trained peer volunteers are standing by and there is no charge to talk to a friendly voice.

Updates

Since joining the team, three people close to me have shared news that a family member or close friend has been diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma. You know who you are and I want to say that you all are my pillars of strength and you keep me going.

Unlike my training program, cancer doesn�"t have a finish line.

I hope you will continue to join me in the TNT and LLS mission of raising awareness of early detection and available patient services, as well as press on for critical research to treatment options.

Thank you!

Alejandra

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I am proud to be a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT) Program and hope that my involvement will make a difference in the pursuit of a cure for blood related cancers, for which there are no known cures.

As a TNT participant I have committed to raising $4,500 for the LLS and training for the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska on June 20, 2009.

Having never run more than 6 miles at once, I chose the 26.2 mile marathon distance because it is the closest I can come to understanding the long journey of treatment and survivorship. This spring I will run for those who cannot, and I hope you will consider supporting me in this endeavor.

Nearly 1 million people have blood-related cancers today, and I am running in honor of these afflicted patients and their families.