I'm training to participate in the Disney 2010 Half Marathon 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 cancer, particularly my Dad, Tom Becker.

My Dad was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma a few years ago, and has been fighting with good results since. He is very strong as is my Mom, my sister, and our entire family. I dedicate my training, marathon day efforts, and fundraising efforts to my amazing Dad and others affected by cancer. I will be walking along in spirit with my sister, my hubby, my Mom and the entire Becker/Dossantos/Smith/Thornton family.. and all the while I will envision the cancer dissapearing from my Dad with every step I take during my training and the Half Marathon.

People like my Dad are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please prayerfully consider making a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. On behalf of myself, my teammates, my Dad, and my entire family.. I thank you for your support!

Note

You may feel more comfortable with a donation via check. Please make payable to LLS and mail to me at

5620 Sun Pointe Drive

Fort Pierce, FL 34951

Thank you!

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Training Blog

Day 1: I missed the first official day of training with TNT Vero, due to our vacation.. however that did not stop me. This morning I was at the hotel gym at 6:20 am to walk the treadmill. I maintained a 13 min mile (walking) for at least 15 of the 30 minutes, so I felt pretty good about that. Today I started my visualization of the cancer miracle in my Dad. For the half, I have to maintain at least a 16 min mile. I feel confident that I will be able to do it. Looking forward to keeping in touch with all of you via this blog. Check it often, as well as my personal blog: http://www.happybzymama.blogspot.com/

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First day of Training with TNT:

WOW. What a great group of folks! I truly enjoyed every moment of my 30 minute walk with Vero's Heroes! Every story is different, but they are all the same... training and taking steps to find a cure!

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2nd Group TNT Training Aug. 22

I was honored to be able to share the MISSION MOMENT before we started our walk/run. I was able to pass around a photo of my Dad, Mom, and the 4 grandkids to my team. I got emotional talking about how much I love my family, and how important they are to me. I also thanked our Team for doing what they are doing for LLS. They are truly heroes fighting cancer, one step at a time.

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Sept 4, 2009

This week was a good week. I trained on my own M, Th, and F. I walked about a total 8 miles between those 3 days. Tomorrow is our Team Training at 6:30 am. This week was also my fundraiser at our local Chili's. We raised $111 for LLS. Thanks to everyone that came out and supported the cause!

Next week is a great week as well. I have a fundraiser at Crazy Frogs (an indoor bouncy gym). They are graciously donatin 50% of all admission between the hours of 4-8 pm on Sept. 9 Which is awesome... Most importantly, it is my 8 year wedding anniversary on Sept 8! Hard to believe it has been 8 yrs. I love Marcelo so much.

Thanks to everyone who is reading this!

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Sept. 7, 2009

I just got back from my M solo training. I did 3.5 miles in 35 minutes! I jogged/walked. WOW. I feel really wonderful!

I am so overwhelmed by the love and support that everyone had given me. What touches me even more is the concern and prayers for and about my Dad. As soon as we get updates in Oct about his tumor, I will post it here. Thank you all for helping me meet my fundraising goal. With the Chili's $ and your donations, I believe I am only like $20 away from the mandatory $2500. My personal goal is to reach $3000!

If you are local, please do not forget my upcoming fundraiser at CRAZY FROGS on Sept. 9, 3-8 p.m. They are donating 50% of your admission to LLS! Plus we will have awesome door prizes, LIVE Music from MERCURY band, and lots of F U N! Come one, come all!

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Sept. 16, 2009

Wow, time is flying by. I am 6 weeks into training. We just received an updated walking training schedule, so today after dropping off Bela I am off to walk 45 minutes. I believe this Sat. we will walk an hour or more for our group training. This is where I am a wee bit nervous. But excited. With the team's and your support I can do it!

Thank you all!

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Sept. 19, 2009 - Team Training Day Week 7!

Today was our 1h 15 m walk day. I did 5.5 miles. (including the 2 miles on the bridge!) I jogged a little and it felt good.

The Team is so supportive, and I love that we cheer each other on! Thank you also to all my family and friends who ask how my training is going! I love you guys!

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Sept. 24, 2009 - New fave place to walk

Today I walked along the river in downtown Fort Pierce, crossed the South Beach Bridge, and walked along A1A. It was an awesome walk. I love watching the sun glistening off of the water. I felt very peaceful. It was a great 45 minute walk: 3.2 miles.

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Sept. 27, 2009 - Blisters Suck

Week 8 of our training. Yesterday was our 6 mile, 1 h 30 min team walk. I got a nasty blister on my foot. Time to bite the bullet and get the good shoes this week! This morning I walked/jogged35 minutes and did 2.5 miles. Solo training Sun,M,W,Th this week. :) working on a possible fundraiser movie event at the Majestic Theatre in Vero. Details TBA!

Dad goes Oct 1 for tests. Please keep him in your prayers! Thank you!

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October 5, 2009 - Honored Heroes Day

On Saturday we walked 7.2 miles during our team training. Wow. I walked with two amazing ladies, Dawn and Fran. Dawn is a a dynamo! We started out and before we completed our first mile, we saw our first Honored Hero Sign.. And it was mine.. It read: "Miss Julie walks for her Daddy." Both Dawn and I caught our breath, and teared up. I am so glad she was there with me to share that moment.

Fran and I are bathroom buddies! We can never understand why non one else on the team never has to go!

Next Saturday I am going to miss our Team Training, as I will be doing a different kind of work-out: Unloading Pumpkins at Church! Our schedule for that day was 2 hours of walking, probably 8 miles or so.. I will be doing it alone! Please pray for me!

Thank you for all of your support and prayers for my Dad, Tom. He is awaiting his results from his tests last week. I will update as soon as I know something.

Thank you!

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Dad Update

Great news! Dad found out his cancer is stable, and does not need to go back for testing for 6 months! YIPEE. Thank you for your prayers! Prayer works!

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Training Blog - October 24

Today was our 2.5 hour training.. We started at 6:20 am. I walked/jogged 10.75 miles. Gotta work really hard this week, I want to beat my own time next Saturday.

Thank you again everyone for your support! I think of my family and friends each time I train. You all are my inspiration along with all cancer victims.

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Training Blog - October 31 HALLOWEEN

Well, today was a treat! I walked 8.75 mi in 2 h 8 m!!!! WHOO HOO. No jogging today, but it felt great. I kept up with my training this past week, and that helps so much! Next week possible mock event in Juno Beach!

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Training Blog - Nov 10, 2009

Last Saturday was the Palm Beach TNT Chapter's Mock Event. It was my first "race". The half marathoners did a 7.37 mile route, and I finished it in 1 h 45 min. It felt really good to walk in beautiful Juno Beach along the ocean! Doing great this week, did 3.25 miles in 45 minutes yesterday against heavy winds! Wow, that was something!

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Training Blog - November 14, 2009

Today was our Team training. We were to walk 2 hours. I walked 8.6 miles in 2 h 4 min. I walked with my teammate Fran who is a dynamo!

Gearing up for our Dirty Dancing fundraiser on Dec 6 @ 5 pm at the Majestic Theatre.

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Training Blog - December 9, 2009

Wow, it has been awhile! Training is going well... we have been having lots of rain, so I have gotten wet a few times. Namely last Saturday during out 10 mi team training.. But I did well. 10.3 miles in 2 h 16 m. :) ONly 28 days til the Half! I am really excited.

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Training Blog - December 15, 2009

Only like 3 1/2 more weeks til the Half. Traning is going well. I am behind this week in my training.. missed one day, so will make it up the remaind er of this week.

I wanted to say thank you again to all of my family and friends who have supported me these past few months. I never thought I would be able to do this, and with your support.. it has been an experience I will never forget!

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Training Blog - December 19, 2009

TOTALLY BUMMED OUT Today.. I think I have food poisoning. I woke up at 3 am and had tummy trouble.. so I missed our Team Training today!

I started to feel a little better at around 7 am, so I took our dog for a 1.5 walk. I actually beat my best time in a mile, so that was good. I hope to make up for missing the mileage on Sunday. Hope I can get a good hour or so in.

Really excited though.. Found out my Aunt Gayle and Uncle Bob are going to join us in Orlando during the Marathon weekend! YEA

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Jan. 10, 2010

Day after Half Marathon

I did it! With your help, I was able to raise $3,869.10 for the LLS. I was 3rd place in fundraising for our entire Palm Beach Chapter of Team in Training! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

The half marathon at Disney World was something I will never forget! I did the race (mostly walking) in 3 h 19 min. There were 32,000 participating. AMAZING. I am so honored that I was able to be a part of this, and to do it in honor of my Dad.