Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team in Training home page.

No, I am not an athlete and yes, I am a crazy woman! I am training to run a half marathon in May.

The motivation is simple- I lost my dad to cancer when I was eight and there are so many people close to me that have been touched by these illnesses! I can't imagine not doing anything to help these families. Would you be my cheerleader?

Meet my heroes and the people I am honoring during my run, feel free to email me at kashalad@msn.com any names of people you know battling Lymphoma or Leukemia in addition to your donation so that may add them to my banner!

Amanda Vasquez- My friend and coworker's 22 year old sister battling Leukemia.

Tom Bubba Russell- A friend's husband, who battled Smoking Gun Lymphoma, recently had a bone marrow transplant and is currently in 100% remission!

Donald Lee Hodge III- My 25 year old next door neighbor who was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event 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 blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and 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 LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress.

Thanks for your support!

February 23, 2009

Deeper and deeper into the Abyss..... Yeah, that's all I can say at this point. I have trained for probably about two weeks total during my three weeks of training and while I tweak everything within my normal lifestyle I realize the magnitude of what I have signed up for. I walked/ran about five miles today....While I do not feel totally exhausted (mainly because I walked a great deal because of the side ache that persisted because of the burrito I ate for lunch) my feet feel much better than the blister I experienced last Monday (because of the old shoes that were heavy and washed too many times). Excuses.......but valid ones! Let me see you run fives miles after having a baby (less than five months ago) and straight of the couch!!!! In fact, the blister I had was so bad that I held off my first real week of training until I got my really expensive "over-pronation" correcting shoes... Yes apparently, when you gain 52 lbs during pregnancy your weight shifts causing you to walk on the outsides of your foot, obviously trying to over compensate for the added weight on your joints. Needless to say, all of my shoes in my closet are rendered useless (weather stilettos, flats or running shoes) they’ve all stretched, worn or mutilated. In fact they are so uncomfortable to wear that I feel I need to have an overhaul preformed on each and every one.....There goes "My shoes were soooooo less expensive than the ones you bought" excuse.... Urgh! I do however feel fantastic! Who knew that putting your body through mortal combat would conjure up some "women’s runner" mentality; granted, this excitement lasts about two minutes into a training session but it’s all worth the while none the less... I mean, who can really run on the track, in the rain, in 40 degree weather and count the laps before one mile? If you were wondering, it's four! I actually drove home today from work (before my training session) trying to calculate other running routes to spice it up.... Did you know I can plan my next days to do list, create a grocery list, figure out what my daughter needs on her first overnight trip (two nights and three days for school) and plan my weekly shopping list in a matter of minutes while driving? I can't even imagine running while thinking. I believe I may start hyperventilating and forget who I am completely.... None the less the whole running and planning my day went into the garbage....

Anyway, I am positive that I am not a runner by trade and that I will have to work at it. Not to mention that missing Jake's (my missing 2 nights a week) nightly feedings and daily baths provide the perfect excuse for ditching but its time he gets to spend with Daddy and Sister and I am off living the dream! I talk about my fitness expertise but never show it. Here's to raising money for a cure and challenging myself in ways I've always read about but never saw coming to fruition.

Cheers!

Kashala

March 9, 2009

I have to share a wonderful thing that happened to me this weekend! As you know I have been training to complete a half marathon in May with Team in Training benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. During my journey, I have received an out pour of support, thoughtful words of encouragement, monetary donations and most importantly I have gotten to know some wonderful people and some stories of survival! This commitment has made me aware of so many people in need and made me realize how blessed I am even on my toughest days!

Meet my neighbor Donnie Hodge, he is 25 years old, married to his high school sweetheart Chessa and has two beautiful children (Maddie's daily playmates) 9 year old son Donnie and a 5 year old Andi.

This February his family was hit with a disheartening blow. Donnie been feeling ill for months experiencing terrible headaches, dramatic weight loss, inability to sleep and some days he is in so much pain he is unable to even stand or walk. Donnie is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, multiple brain tumors and bone cancer.

Since learning of his condition and his wonderfully positive attitude towards battling these illnesses, I wanted to help his family! His mother Vicki, wife Chessa and I hosted a fundraiser this weekend featuring Gold Canyon Candles, Gigi Hill Bags, Mary Kay, Cookie Lee and Avon. Each vendor donated at least 20% of their total sales (most being any commission they would have received) back to the Hodge family to cover their mounting medical bills. I have to tell you it was a smashing hit! I would guess we had about 800-1000 people that came through my home to purchase goods to benefit the Hodge family! In addition, we raised over $2000 dollars in just 3 short hours! I am astounded how many people came out to support this family even in such tough financial times. It just goes to show you that when times get tough, the tough get going!

If you would like to help Donnie and his family

Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Branch reference account number 2323995361

Identification Number for Tax Purposes is 32-0270736

A special thank you to the vendors who helped us make this fundraiser possible and gave selflessly!

Cookie Lee: Christina Meek

Gold Canyon Candles: Seidi Woods

Gigi Hill Bags: Shawna Moriaty

Mary Kay: Lisa

Avon: Betty Meyers!

From the frontlines, over and out!

March 20, 2009

Sometimes life throws you curve balls. I am sitting here today with two announcements. One is not the death of a dream but just a dream on hold. The other is a blessing from above. While I must announce that I am unable to continue my half marathon training at this time and that I am putting my dream of running 13.1 miles on hold for a year. I am pleased to announce that the Link Family is growing yet again! Oh yes, it’s true, our family will be welcoming another member this fall! I have to admit that I did not expect to get pregnant so soon after the birth of Jake and it does kind of terrify me to think of having two small children about thirteen months apart, we are ecstatic just the same and I will keep you posted on our progress!

Thank you all very much for supporting me throughout my training! Your words of encouragement and donations helped me pound the pavement (ever so slowly) towards my dream. Your efforts are not wasted or forgotten! I have worked out a deal with my Team in Training coach and we are rolling over the majority of my fundraising efforts towards my training next year. I have made the commitment to achieve my dream of running and raising money for a cause and dog gone it; I am going to do it! Albeit a tired mess I'm sure but determined just the same!

Thank you again for your support and I hope you can cheer for me with the same fervor as I begin my journey towards another baby!

A baby makes love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.

Author Unknown