{{4895}}

Saving Lives- Step by Step

Thank you for visiting my page- whether it is to donate, checkout my updates, or just see why I have decided to run a Marathon!! Please feel free to share my page and the cause with friends and family. The more who know, the more lives we can save.

Well, about 2 months ago, I finally decided to put my heart and soul into running a half marathon. Since then, my new friends convinced me into running the full marathon. My original running inspiration comes from my sister and her husband who together have ran millions of miles, and have always encouraged me to start running... so I did. In the last year, I have completed three 5K races in the Bay Area, more recently a 10K race, and I am now training for a full marathon.

I will be participating in the Nike Women's Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. Everyone participating with Team In Training is raising funds to help find a cure and support those who are battling a blood caner such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. 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!

I know times are tough for everyone right now, but if we all pull together and even donate $5, we can help save lives (Did you know cancer patients have to pay bridge tolls daily just to go to treament?). I would greatly appreciate it if you could kindly make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I am very thankful I do not personally know anyone who had been diagnosed with a blood cancer, that is until I started with Team In Training. Each week a Honoree speaks and shares their story with us. Being part of TNT has opened my eyes to who can be affected and how LLS and TNT changes lives for the better. Many members of TNT run in honor or memory of someone they know- if you, a family member or friend has been affected by any of the blood cancers, please let me know so I can run in honor or memory of them.

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

GO TEAM!!

~Emory

My Personal Honoree Update: I have sad news - my honoree Kristin passed away this weekend. Her acute promyelocytic leukemia had come back and she was in treatment and awaiting a morrow transplant... She was in her mid 30s, with kids... I have never meet Kristin, however our moms work together. Please keep her family in your thoughts. I will be running every mile in her memory- and some of my team mates will be running one of their miles in her memory as well.

A note from Kristin's mom, Shirley, in response to my race dedication: "I continue to be touched by you dedicating your run to Kristin! Please share with your fellow TNTers that as a mother of a daughter who survived leukemia 2 1/2 years, I personally appreciate their efforts to raise funds for future research that may find treatment protocols for APL and other leukemias that allow all leukemia patients to survive a initial or relapse treatment. I hope some day no mother will need to suffer this terrible loss of a child due to leukemia!"

UPDATES:

September 28- Monday- OMG!!! I ran the farthest EVER!! Get out your fingers & toes because you'll need them to count to 20! Yes- 20 miles!! It was a beautiful run along the Monterey Coast and the Pebble Beach Golf Course down to Bird Rock. The views were well worth the 10 miles out and back! Around mile 12, I really started to feel my hip again, but I just kept thinking of my Honoree Kristin and her family. Kristin's funeral was Saturday, and I was very bummed I couldn't attend but I was definately showing my support on the trail. If Heaven is half that beautiful and peaceful, then Kristin is in an awesome place.

Just a few more weeks to go till the Marathon- Ive got the San Jose Rock n Roll Half this coming weekend (after working 8 days straight) then another taper weekend run and then the Nike!! And fyi come to find out, my friend Paul Smith, ran Nike last year and came in first!! No Pressure! haha!

Again, thank you for your support!!

September 15- Tuesday- This past Saturday (9/12) my goal was to run 18 miles- I ended up running 17.3 miles in 4 hours 30 minutes (the last 4 miles I walked due to a hurting hip). But the story is.... I worked grave Friday night, so I got off at 6 a.m., picked up at work by a fellow TNTer and off to Lake Merced we went. The drive was beautiful- the sun coming up over the mountains looked as if the hills were on fire. Once we arrived in SF, it was cold and foggy (when isn't that the weather there?). I started in Wave 2- with Mike, Ilya, Brandy and Chelsea. We were running a great 4:1- down by the zoo to the Great Highway and off to Golden Gate Park- my first time to GG Park in my 25 years of life!! Along the highway we were met by a very encouraging 50-year-old lady who had completed a few marathons and IronMans in the last few years. Her words of wisdom and encouragement were just what we needed this cold, foggy morning. Midway through the park we were part of the thunderstorm, which included some hail and made for a great refresher! We headed out of the park, back down the Great Highway and around Lake Merced. So 4 miles around Lake Merced sounded like nothing when you have just ran 16 miles, but I swear the lake goes on forever! It was great practice though as it is part of the course for the Marathon next month. Yes- that's right- my Marathon is NEXT MONTH!!! About 32 days away and I am feeling a bit anxious! I have a short run (8 miles) this weekend, the following is a 20 miler in Pacific Grove, followed by two weeks of taper (including the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in San Jose).

After working Friday grave, running 17 miles, working Saturday grave - I slept for 15 hours on Sunday (9/13) and 14 hours on Monday (9/14). I guess I was tired :)

The past four months have been such a blessing on my life. I have met some of the best people in the world- some of the most encouraging and most courageous, and not to mention some of the craziest (IronWomen Kris & Kelly). I have been surrounded by wonderful TNT people, and financially supported by my family & friends (see right).

August 31- Monday- (really Tues 9/15) Coyote Creek- It was a hot run. But I completed my farthest distance ever with 16 miles. Mentor (and new friend) Mike Ho kept me going the whole time. The last four miles were the hardest- my muscles felt fine- but I had missed placed my Sports Shield and was chafed on my inner thighs. I wanted to run so bad I was tempted to put GU (my sports gel) on my legs- or perhaps even the doggie pick up bags and some how adhere them to my legs. Neither of those happened- I had to brave it out and just go in the spurts I could. Later that day, I had a successful pasta feed at my mentor's house (THANK YOU SUE & TIM FUNK, and MY PARENTS for your help!). I made about $600 from the pasta feed and raffle!

August 15- Saturday- I now know why I joined TNT- not only am I now running FOURTEEN miles (really 14.72)- but I have met some of the greatest people. Some support us on our runs at water stations, some encourage and push us along the way, some share their battle of cancer with us - reminding us why we are really out there, and some cheer for you as you cross the finish line.

Today was a weird run- we were out at the Baylands in Palo Alto/Mt. View and the first 8 miles I felt like I was going to throw up. After drinking a lot at the aid station and every walk time, my stomach felt better. It then traveled to my legs and I was very achy on the last 3 miles. But I must say, despite working grave the night before and after my run, I am feeling ok. "No pain, No Gain" is my motto right now.

I can't believe I am over HALF way there! (ooooh living on a prayer!) Thank you to those who have donated and helped me in my journey to 26.2 miles.

August 9- Sunday- WOW! Double digits again! I ran 12 miles today at Waddell Creek in Santa Cruz. It's amazing what treasures we have hidden in our backyard- check out this site that has some pictures of the trail we were on and the beautiful waterfall we saw at mile 6.2! (http://www.chainreaction.com/waddellcreek.htm) After our run, we headed to the Ocean for Mother Nature's ice bath! The run felt good until about mile 9, and now my knees are a bit sore- and Im ready for bed (yes, I worked Grave before and after my run).

Last Tuesday we did a time trial at Track- I ran a 5k (3.1 miles) in 37 minutes. I improved my time from 4 weeks ago by 6 minutes :)

I am signed up for the San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon on October 4th. This will be the first race ever that my sister and I will both complete! :) What a milestone in my training and in my life.

July 25- Saturday- Today I ran my farthest distance EVER- 10 miles. It was a good run- and we smiled almost the whole way!

July 22- Tuesday- I completed my first 10K race on Sunday- The Jungle Run in Los Gatos. After only 4 hours of sleep, I woke to not being able to find my socks, arrived almost late, my Garmin was dead, along with my iPod, so with no time device, I had to run a new interval of 6:1 (with Juana, one of our Mentors)....but I came in at 1:17:54- that's with a potty break and a GU experience- near barfing. Tuesday Track is always a hard, speed workout- but tonight, it was a GREAT workout. We ran 3 sets of 3 laps- fast, faster, fastest. I was actually able to keep up and do the exercise right by improving my speed/pace each lap. After being sick and not being able to give it my all, I was very happy with track tonight. Buddy run on Thursday- with a stop at Music in the Park to hear Matt Nathanson, and 10 miles on Saturday- double digits!! This week is also recommitment week- and I have committed to run the FULL Marathon and raise $2,500 by October. YIKES!!! Oh, we raised $200 at Aqui's last Monday... so Marc and I will split that. Thanks to everyone who came! And stay tuned for the Pasta Feed details.

July 15- Wednesday- Well I never thought I would say this but I am sad/upset that I was unable to run the buddy run or my long run of 9 miles this past week due to being sick. I also had to take it easy during track on Tuesday, but I am feeling better- and happy to be sick now and not later in the season.

I also wanted to thank those who helped us raise funds at Aquis on Monday night. We had a great turn out and pretty sure everyone enjoyed themselves. So thank you to my work (Fairmont) friends, family, friends, TNT running mates and Marc's friends and family. We should find out soon how well we did and hopefully we will do another in the future. So stay tuned.

Also, I would like to continue to thank those who have donated to me including Aunt Noreene, Scott and Shirley. Not only do I thank you, but those who you are really supporting -those who have cancer- thank you.

July 8- Wednesday- WOW!! What a life changing experience TNT has been and it's only been ONE month! Not only am I running 7 miles (and not feeling like I am going to die), but I have learned so much about what TNT/LLS does for those affected by cancer. I have had the great opportunity to meet and learn more about our Honorees- those who are still fighting their cancer(s), who have survived and who have passed. TNT/LLS is such a great support for our Honorees and their families, as well as a provider for cancer research. I know times are still tough, but any donation you can make is one step closer to a cure. p.s. I am really considering doing the FULL marathon.........

Chris (Meg, Sarah and Derek)- thank you!!!! for your donations.

June 15- Monday- I have completed my first whole week of TNT. Tuesday we had a work out at the Los Gatos High School track where we did a little relay and a core workout. Probably ran about 2-3 miles. Thursday was our Buddy Run. The Buddy Run each week is with a smaller group of people at one of six locations throughout the area. I chose to run the downtown Guadalupe Creek Trail. We ran 4 miles in just under an hour. I used the run/walk technique of 5-1. Sunday I ran my longest distance ever- 5 miles. This only took a few minutes over an hour, and we used the 4-1 technique.

I was a bit crazy this weekend because I worked Grave all week, got off work at 6:30 a.m. Sunday and ran 5 miles then attend the Wafflefest. I got home and slept for 1 hour, then had to be at work at 3:30 p.m. After being awake for more than 34 hours and running 5 miles, I slept a whopping 14 hours! I am really bummed this week I will miss Track and my weekend long run with the group due to my work schedule. But I thank you for your continued support!

June 6- Saturday- Today was the first day of training. Marc (http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf09/mcarden9dp) and I arrived early ( i got off work at 6:30 am). We both ran 4 miles and then we listened to an Honoree speak about his battle with cancer and how the funds from LLS helped to find a new treatment which has lead him into remission for 3 years! I met many new friends today and even though I have blisters on both feet - I cant wait till Tuesday for another training session. Meg, Sarah and Derek- thank you!!!! for your donations.