This is who inspires me, Izabella and all the youngsters

dealing with, surviving and staying strong.

IN HONOR OF:

Izabella Gianna Caldas

IN MEMORY OF:

Auntie Eve

Thank you for visiting my fundraising home page.

I'm committed to raise funds for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) through participating in the Summer 2010 Half Marathon along with Team In Training - TEAM PALOMA. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. An estimated 139,860 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma this year. Every four (4) minutes one (1) person is diagosed with a blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. That's 146 people each day.

I have been fortunate enough to not have a personal connection to these blood cancers. I was able to live a healthy childhood. My inspiration comes from the children that are affected by these diseases and don’t have a choice but to be strong and fight to survive. 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' mission.

TEAM PALOMA!!! - Z's UPDATES:

Wednesday (9/15) - I haven't seen my team in a few weeks...I will get to see them tonight at core training - after all the training I have been doing - I totally dropped the ball after completing my marathon (half) - so I will be definately sore tomorrow after the workout I will have tonight - can't wait to see my team!! GO TEAM!!

Friday (9/10) - I am still and will forever be greatful to all those that made it possible for me to enjoy and succeed in this event. All the unpaid babysitters so I could train, the coaches, the team, the donations, the kids (& adults) purchasing our treasures at garage sales, the chef, the supporters that convinced me I would raise all the funds, my little munchkins waiting for mom at the finish . . . these selfless people are how I was able to do this. Thank you all, if you see me with tears in my eyes, they are of joy and gratitude - you helped me take each step to help fund research that will help save lives!! . . . I just walked and enjoyed the view . . .

Monday (9/6) - WOW! A beautiful and amazing 13.1 mile walk!! I can't believe how I got through it. I started last! lol They started running at the start, it took all I could to not run! I am a walker! lol There were two ladies that would not let me pass them up! lol - it was great, the people cheering us on the sides were very friendly. All the volunteers at the water stops were very considerate at us zooming past them. I am not sore yet, still a little tired - all the training totally paid off! TNT Rocks!!! GO TEAM PALOMA!!

Thursday (9/2) - With my heart in my throat I am surely prepared for the challenge - my bags are still not packed - not fully, but by this time tomorrow I will be in the air waiting to land and knowing what really lies ahead. I am so greatful to everyone that has supported and continues to support me. Your support is passed through me to all my other teammates and is well accepted...BTW I have navigation on my phone so I hope not to get lost!! :-) I will try to keep posting through this weekend. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Saturday (8/21) - Core training this week - kicked my butt!! But it all paid off today on my last LONG walk before Kaua'i!! 11 miles in 2hrs 37min - that's 14:19min mile!!! I am still scared of the 7 mile hill . . . but . . . Woohoo! I am ready!!

Saturday (8/14) - I really need to get something that will measure my distance - the 3 hour walk today left me tight! I was strectching even after I got done stretching - it was a great walk . . . if that is how Kaua'i is going to be . . . BRING IT ON!!

Saturday (8/7) - 8 miles in 2hrs 20 min!! Great work out - no lost story, but thought it was funny I was in the lead of the walking pack for the half! Maybe they didn't realize I am the one that ALWAYS gets lost - lol (well except today).

Saturday (7/31) - So its time to let you know of my great adventure - thanks to BART online directions and my savyness with locating new places . . . I was running late so I stretched @ BART while waiting for the train (I looked funny, but it was my greatest idea of the day) I followed the directions BART gave me to my destination, yeah I noticed it was a little short on telling me which way I was going to turn once I got to my street, but whatever -I was sure I would find it. After about 15-25 minutes of walking I am sure I will not make it on time and will just have to rush, but its now time to stop and ask for directions (& restroom - lol). The kind guy @ Gold's Gym let me use the restroom (after signing a form) and gave me directions - woohoo! only a few blocks away!! So I get there - I smile and say - "I know I am late, I am sure my team left already” . . . the store guy looks at me and says "HERE?" I say . . . "apparently not! lol I know I’m lost" He said were you suppose to go to Presidio? I say yes and he pulls out a map for me . . . I was 5.1 miles away from my start point!!! LOL - I smile and say thank you! and head out to follow new directions now!! as I am walking I am LMFAO looking like a crazy woman because I have now come up with a new fund-raiser tactic . . . Anyone interested in getting rid of me for a few days w/possibility of more should donate so I can get lost in Kaua'i!!! lol OR Anyone interested in reading more of my adventures should also donate - I am sure Kaua'i will be full of stories . . . I didn't reach my destination, I decided that since today was a 3 hour walk . . . I might as well go to the water where I know my way back home once the time is up . . . and Guess what?!! as I was walking along the Pier...going on 2 hours walking . . . I see my TEAM!!! GO TEAM!!! Since they were headed in the opposite directions I just kept on mine and kept track of time . . . so I walked 3hrs 5minutes (2 pit stops - lol) - I won't give up!!! I have my health, therefore I am doing this for those that have challenges with theirs . . . BTW - I have been getting lost EVERY weekend!! Oh and I am very proud to say I have inspired a couple of people - my cousin, Olga did AIDS Walk on 7/18 & my BFF Monica is walking 4mi. 3x week!! Go Ladies!!!

Thurs. (7/28) I will be training in San Francisco, but thought I'd start with updating by acknowledging those that are a HUGE help in motivating and making it possible for me to go to training every Saturday and think of new ways to fundraise. - Thank you Jasmine, Arturo, Tony, Erika & Jade - You have been a lot of help!!

Saturday (7/23) - After driving to th wrong location for about 20 minutes, I got back on track to stretch w/my Team!! and did 10 miles (with hills and a little return of the leg itch) in 3.25hrs. WooHoo!! GO TEAM PALOMA!!

Saturday (7/17) - After showing up a tad late to training because I didn't have peanutbutter or bananas @ home I started @ the end and finished 2nd!! No pain!! 9 miles in 2.5 hrs!! ...to top it off, I decided to go for an additional walk :-) Go Team Paloma!!

Monday (7/12) - After being restricted to only do 4 miles while the rest of the team did 8 on Saturday and actually paying attention to the coach...listen to my brain rather than my ego, I was successfully able to walk at a constant pace on Monday without feeling that annoying scratch on my leg!! Woohoo!! Go TEAM PALOMA!!

Saturday, (7/10) Great day - look forward to next week being able to keep up with Team Paloma!!

Saturday (7/3) I wasn't able to train the full 2 hours with my team...my leg decided 45 minutes was enough...I am going to call my doctor and get a thorough check hopefully this week, I don't want anything to hold me from the finish line!! As you can see fundraising is picking up!! It is very encouraging to see the support coming in...thank you all!!

Wednesday (6/30) I was able to do core training!! woohoo! I took it easy, but was able to get through the whole thing... I can't wait for Saturday training!! I will take it slow but I will reach the finish!!!

Friday (6/25) Am temporarily banned from training - the pain on my lower leg is putting a pause on my training - but I will go full force on fundraising from the comfort of my sofa :-)

Saturday (6/18) 5 mile walk!! Great training session and nutrition clinic...GO TEAM PALOMA!!

Saturday (6/12) Had a great training this morning, my legs are sore and I am exhausted but it was great!! Walked 1 mile in 14 minutes 19 seconds!! 13miles is a long way...now its time to further focus on fundraising!!

On Saturday (5/29), I went to the first training session and gear clinic. After walking in my cute sneakers I was grateful for the clinic!! I look forward to training without getting blisters for wearing the WRONG shoes!!! Ha Ha Ha!!

I am not the only first timer to Team In Training. I am motivated by all those that have a personal connection with battling blood cancers. I thank all of you that motivate me, I thank you that are supporting me to get up EARLY and train on Saturdays, keep at it throughout the week and ultimately cross that finish line and surpass my goal.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support! GO TEAM PALOMA!