Feb 03, 2014
In about 10 hours I'll be joining another 25K people for the Miami Marathon, and all I can think of is not appropriate enough to be written here. I'm SO nervous!!!! All of the hard work, sacrifices, laughs, tears, blisters, pain, successes, failures, hopes, fears, experiences, memories, and goals since July 2013 are narrowed down to what will happen tomorrow at the finish line.
I have plenty of thank you notes to write personally, but before I get to that, I want to say a big, humongous, THANK YOU to every single person that's been somehow involved in this process. Every. Single. One.
I joined Team in Training to support my friend and give as much as I could to her recovery process, and looking back I've earned much more than I even deserve. Knowing that not just Joëlle, but many families get to benefit from our efforts brings a sense of peace that is hard to describe.
I am terrified and overwhelmed about crossing the finish line tomorrow. I am scared of a million things during the race. I am sure I won't be able to sleep tonight, but it doesn't matter because it's all worth it. I don't know what to expect, and I don't think I'm ready for the feelings people have described today, so as a heads up: there's a chance that I'll be a hot mess. The support, the love, and the words of encouragement have made my heart grow a million times its size.
On the sad side, I'll never forget the first conversation with Joëlle about the diagnosis. It's a bit hard to forget. On the happy side, I'll never forget the joy of having her (and her husband and baby) spending some quality time with us like when we were in high school. (Cards Against Humanity: you rock!) Knowing she's well and healthy is just priceless.
So, with my deepest and most humble gratitude, I leave you with the latest update on the Team #JoelleStrong front before I make my way to the corral and THE Big Day kicks off.
Let's GO TEAM #JoelleStrong, let's be #MiamiFamous!
Much love,
Mrs. B
Ps: please excuse any typos, it's the overexcitement.
Dec 13, 2013
On the twelfth day of Christmas
Team #JoelleStrong gave to me...
12+ Miles for Running
11+ Friends Supporting
10 Pothole Leaping
9 Ladies Winning
8 Cops Escorting
7 Days of Training
6 Muddy Running
5 Alarms Rings
4 AM Wake-up Calls
3 Days of the Coach
2 Joëlle QT Days
and the Miami Marathon with TNT!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dear folks,
I'll be away on my honeymoon soon, but some miles are still available!
Do the regular procedure donation, and e-mail me your mile number and name(s)/message for it.
(Click here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/miami14/raponteriv )
THANK YOU & Have a lovely (and safe) Holiday Season!
MRS. B...
Nov 01, 2013
Hi, I am Becca, and I'm a bride on the run!
I've joined the LLS Team in Training in honor and support of my dear friend Joelle who was diagnosed with lymphoma in June, and as of October, fought cancer like a champ.
Joelle (pronounced joe-ellie) is the proud mom of 18mo. old baby girl Sara, and she's married to her high school sweetheart Gabriel. The 3 make a beautiful family! She's a very kind-hearted, brilliant, funny, awesome, and sweet young woman who is brings out the best in those who surround her.
This past June her diagnose took many of us by surprise (shock, really), and made us very upset: She's only 31 and has a baby to take care of! To appease our anxiety, she's been keeping us updated with her current battle through her awesome blog. The process so far has been positive, and LLS has played an important role in it.
The advances in science and technology have provided for a more convenient way of dealing with chemotherapy and its side effects. All the great news, the improvement in tests results and her treatment has been thanks to research findings. As her husband stated: "[The]Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is responsible for the Rituxan chemo drug, we are benefiting from their research already and hope they continue to help find a cure!".
In an effort to keeping Baby Sara's mommy & Gabriel's wife around for many, many years to come I've decided to sign up for the ING Miami marathon through Team in Training, raising funds for Team #JoelleStrong in the process to also help other patients in need.
These funds go to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. This way we can all help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.
Since this is my very first marathon, I'm documenting the process and my development on my blog: Run, Becca. Run!
While you're here: ANY donation will not only get Team #JoelleStrong to Miami, it'll help further the search for the cure! (You were going to cut back on those donuts and lattes anyway, right?) ;)
THANK YOU SO much in advance!
-Becca, a.k.a. The [Running] Bride
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.