Seize the Opportunity

It is amazing how milestone birthdays promote introspection. As a newly-minted 40-year-old, I have decided to do something big for the world and for myself.

Building on my own meager exercise program – and its impact on my own health – I have decided to do something much bigger … Team in Training!

I am going to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco on October 19. I have two goals:

• Cross the finish line of the Nike Women’s Half Marathon on October 19 – by running 13.6 miles!
• Raise $2,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by October 15 – with your help!

I'm hoping you will be able to help me with both of these goals. Your encouragement and positive reinforcement will go an incredibly long way.

I will be updating this site regularly with stories about my journey to complete these two goals, so please feel free to check in periodically.

In exchange for fundraising, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps me train for the race. I am honored to be supporting this organization. Not only do they provide funds for research on all types of blood cancers, but they provide critical patient services, including Family Support, peer to peer patient matching, and “Back to School” support services for children.Your financial support not only saves the lives of those afflicted with blood-related cancers, but also makes their lives more comfortable and manageable.

By the way, I’ve also chosen to run in honor of Martino Dias, who is married to my coworker Maria. Martino continues to win his fight against Hairy Cell Leukemia, having completed his third round of chemotherapy in March of this year.

Learning about Martino’s cancer fight has made one very important thing clear to me: Your life can change in a moment, so it is important to seize the opportunity to make a difference whenever you can.

Thank you so very much!

And if you know someone who suffers from a blood-related cancer, I would love to run in his or her honor, too. Please let me know their name, so I can wear a bracelet for them on race day.

Luke's Run (9/21/08)

Luke was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 2. For the next 4 years he was a very active Honoree for Team in Training. He attended many races, poured lots and lots of water, and made really great friends with many folks on the South Bay run team. When Luke was 6 he lost his battle with Leukemia. Luke's family has honored his birthday each of the last 7 years since his death by organizing Luke's Run. My girls had the honor of running at Luke's Run this weekend, and it was a fantastic event. Felicia's race was one lap, and Jocelyn's was 3 laps on a quarter mile loop. Each participant received a really nice medal on a ribbon. Both Jocelyn and Felicia wore their medals proudly all day and told anyone who asked that they had run in Luke's Run that day. What a fantastic way for my kids to see some of what I have been working on these past weeks. Thank you to Luke's family for organizing a great event. We look forward to attending again next year!

10 Miles (9/20/08)

I'm into double digits now. The last mile was a bit tough. A good friend of mine had told me a Lance Armstrong quote the other day, "Pain is temporary, but quitting is forever." Somewhat hardcore, but it kept me from giving up and walking the last mile. I know I can do the 13 now.

A Major Milestone (9/13/08)

Today was a great run-8 miles on the Los Gatos Creek Trail. For the first time ever, my legs were more tired at the end of the run than my lungs. I am so psyched that I have hit that major milestone on the cardio!

6+ Miles (8/23/08)

I'm hitting new records now. Today I went over 6 miles. The hardest part was finding a bathroom! Tomorrow we go to the State Fari-my legs are going to be good and tired.

First Buddy Run (8/12/08)

This morning I rolled out of bed before 5:30am to do my first Buddy Run. These are small group runs lead by the volunteer support staff of Team in Training. I was very well supported, indeed. There were 5 volunteer staff and one participant-me!

Pre-Training (8/5/08)

I decided to do this Team thing way back in the Spring. So, I have been trying to get a little training in on my own in anticipation of the real thing. I have worked up to 5 miles on the weekend. I am slow but steady.

Kickoff (8/2/08)

Someone asked me today if I was worried about what I had signed myself up for. I said right away, "No way. I've been planning this for months!" I was so inspired by hearing about so many cancer survivors who will be running with my team. I can't wait to get out on the running trail and the fundraising campaign trail!