My Fundraising Page

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I did it! I completed the Walt Disney World Marathon...all 26.2 miles of it...with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) and I wanted to say thank you again for your generous support. Not only did I finish it, I reached my goal of completing the marathon in less than 5 hours. My official time was 4 hours, 56 minutes, and 33 seconds.

My marathon experience was amazing. I quickly realized that I was part of something much bigger than I ever imagined. There were 1800 runners/walkers from all over the country in Orlando to participate in this event with TNT. Nationwide we raised over $7 million for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! How awesome is that? Thanks to you, my family and friends, together we raise over $5300! I honestly have to say because of all your donations and encouraging words I was able to do this.

On the morning of the race, we met our coaches (awesome coaches, I would like to add) in the lobby of the hotel at 2:15 AM for bagels with peanut butter and bananas. At 3:00 AM we hopped a bus to Epcot were the race would begin and end. I've never seen anything like it...there were over 15,000 runners. At 5:50 AM, in true Disney fashion, the fireworks went off and the clock started...12 minutes later, I had finally crossed the start line and was on my way. Before even reaching mile three I realized that every spectator there supporting a TNT runner was there to support me as well. To hear, "Go Jen! Go Team!" non stop was motivating. I knew it would carry me through. I was never more grateful around mile 24 to have so many people cheering me on.

I was lucky to spot Steve and Zack just before the 18 mile mark. Apparently, they had a rough morning trying to find a good spot to see me because the first thing Zack said was, "It's about time. I haven't had breakfast yet." But it was all good, I kissed him and hugged him and told him I loved him (Steve too. Without him this wouldn?t have been possible. He is my rock). At around mile 24 I realized that I just had to get it done. The purple and green people carried me to the finish line...not physically, even though that would have been nice, but mentally. My body ached and my feet didn't feel like my own. Knowing that what I was about to accomplish was not just for me, but for Chris and so many others fighting blood cancers was exhilarating.

At mile 26 there was a church choir...I had a friend tell me that when her sister ran a marathon she saw God at mile 24...I thought for sure this was it. Luckily, I would later see an actual picture of this said choir and feel relieved. I was so excited to finally turn the bend and see the finish line. I was told to take my headphones off and take it all in...what great advice that was. I heard thousands of people cheering me on and my fellow TNT "spice girls" screaming my name right before I crossed the finish line.

I am honored to be part of such an amazing team. We have all truly made a difference. Your help and encouragement helped me get to the finish line, but more importantly, you are helping to accelerate cures for Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma and Hodgkin's disease and bring increased hope to the patients and their families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.

Again, I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of this life changing experience.

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I'm training to participate in the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 11, 2009 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 my very good friend, Chris Guilfoil, in addition to 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!

This photo of Chris and I was taken last month when I was on vacation in Massachusetts. Chris has been fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma since January of 2000. He is currently undergoing an experimental treatment for the disease. To read Chris' story go to: www.lucky13foundation.com

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!

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August 10, 2008:

Thank you so much for your generous donations and kind words! Although, training won't officially start until the end of August, I just finished a 9 mile run and I feel good!

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August 17, 2008:

10 down, 16.2 to go!

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August 23, 2008:

Training officially began today! We ran three miles in the pouring rain...three miles of the 595 (give or take) that I'll run between now and January 11th.

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September 13, 2008

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all your support! I have received so many words of encouragement...keep em coming! I'll need all the support and encouragement through the long miles ahead.

I ran 5 miles today with TNT and I will run 11 miles tomorrow with Elaine (my neighbor). We are running a half marathon in three weeks...couldn't really do a full without doing a half first, now could I? Many blisters later, I finally found the right sneaker/sock combo...I'm ready to go all the way!

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September 14, 2008

Went out to run 11 miles this morning and ran 12! (Thanks to my bat belt (aka fuel belt), a pouch of PowerBar Gel at mile 6, and Elaine (which will run 26.2 miles whether she likes it or not).

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October 8, 2008

Well, the 1/2 marathon is behind me now. I did it in 2 hrs and 4 mins. Aside from a few aches and pains shortly after (that lasted for a couple days), I felt pretty good. I'm very thankful for October, November and December though...I'll need that time to get ready for the 26.2!

Again, thank you friends and family for all your support. I wouldn't be able to do it without you!

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October 9, 2008

Hopefully, you are all keeping up with my updates because here's an awesome one...I received an update from Chris and wanted to post what he had to say... "I am doing great and the drug is working incredibly well so far. I actually have no immediate medical concerns. I'm in school at the Isenberg School of Management at UMASS for sports management and love it. I do everything that I want and don't really see that changing anytime soon."

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October 29, 2008

Sorry, it's been a while, I've been too busy running to make my updates (Really, our computer died and I couldn't log in to make them).

We hit our first double digit run last Saturday...10 miles. It went well. Had to ice down a few sore muscles, but was fine by Sunday. Apparently, ice is my new best friend (I hate the cold!). Speaking of cold, I ran this morning and it was only 41 degrees outside...long pants, two shirts, gloves and a headband to cover my ears...it was a bit chilly for this FL girl!

Thanks again for all your support. I'm only a few hundred away from my goal of $3,000. What an amazing journey it has been so far!

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November 2, 2008

We ran 12.8 miles yesterday. (It amazes me how far that actually is). I run with some really great people on these long runs, all people I've met since joining Team In Training. If it wasn't for them, not sure I could do it. We talk about some really crazy things...can't wait to see what we'll be talking about at mile 20!

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November 8, 2008

Well, we ran 14 miles this morning. It was going great until we thought we were finished and had only run 13 miles...we went the extra mile, but it was a rough one. Next week we're up to 16.

Thanks to everyone for all your donations...only $192.31 away from $3000.00. Amazing! You guys are awesome! Without all your support, this wouldn't be happening. Fantastic!

Keep your eyes out for my 12 Days of Christmas Charitable Drawing. I'm working out the final details now. There are some great prizes!

Until next week...gotta run!

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November 15, 2998

Well, today we did 16 miles...yeah, 16 miles. Unbelievable! Who would have ever thought that I could run a distance like that? Not me. I clearly remember being terrified of 5 miles, now look at me. Simply amazing!

Thanks everyone for your continued support. It's a wonderful feeling knowing my family and friends are beside me all the way...well, in spirit anyway. I don't see any of you out there running with me...I guess I'm the only crazy one.

Only eight more weeks until the race!

Love you all!

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November 23, 2008

Well, it was an easy week this week. It's hard to believe that an easy week can end with a 12 mile run. The realization that Im less than eight weeks away from the race is starting to set in. When 12 miles is an easy week, it really puts things into perspective. Well be running 18 on the 29th!

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November 25, 2008

We did it! We did it! We did it! Yeah!

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November 27, 2008

Happy Thankgiving! I want all of you to know that I am extremely thankful my family and friends and all your support and encouragement.

Off to run in the St. Pete Times Turkey Trot! Warm up for the 18 miles we'll be running on Saturday. Stay tuned!

Gobble! Gobble!

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November 29, 2008

I ran 18 miles today! Never realized just how far 18 miles was, until I ran it. Four Tylenol, an ice bath and a nap later, I'm not feeling so bad. Next week we're scheduled to do twenty...it's getting tougher and tougher, but I can do it.

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December 7, 2008

We completed a 20 mile run this weekend. It was long, but wsn't so bad. Such a huge accomplishment. ONLY 6.2 to go! It's a light week this week. A bunch of us will be running in the Gulf Beaches Holiday Halfathon on Sunday. Go Team!

The 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser brought in nearly $500, much more than I ever expected. Thanks to all of you that purchased tickets and good luck!

I'll be sending out my last update later this week. I'm down to the wire here...only 34 more days until race day!

Gotta run!

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December 14, 2008

Well, if you've been following my progress you'll know that I started off with a goal of $3,000.00. Since we've done so well, I've upped it to $5,000.00...we are only $722.30 away from reaching that. Together we can do this! Just think of how many people we are going to help...it's so awesome being part of something so big.

As for my running this week, a few of us ran the Florida Gulf Beaches Holiday Halfathon this morning in Madeira Beach. The weather was perfect...high 50's and overcast. I ran it in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 16 seconds. Next week we'll be running 20 - 22 miles. That will be it for the long runs...less than a month away from race day! HOLY COW! Boy am I going to miss my running buddies!

Gotta run...

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December 16, 2008

I'm speachless! Words can not express what I feel right now. We have raised over $5,000.00! That is so amazing. I am so proud to part of something so big!

Thank you all so much for your generous donations and support. In this tough economic time, you were still able to give to such a worthy cause. Your donations will directly help support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

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December 20, 2008

Well, we had our last long run today...a whopping 22 miles! We will start to taper off now to get ready for race day. Three short weeks from tomorrow, I'll be running through Disney World. Very exciting!!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm so thankful for all of the support I've received. I have received so much encouragement from friends and family throughout this journey. The money we have raised will help so many in so many ways. I hope that all of you that have contributed to this, realize what a great thing you have done. Thank you!

Ho! Ho! Ho! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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December 27, 2008

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. It was tough running this week. I let my blisters heal from last week and bought new sneakers. I only ran on Wednesday and Friday during the week. We ran an easy 12 miles with the team on Saturday.

Two weeks from today! Only two weeks! It's hard to believe that I started all this in August...I need to figure out how many miles I've actually covered...a lot!

Have a safe and happy New Year! I'll be back in 2009.

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January 4, 2009

Happy New Year! I had my last official training run with TNT yesterday. We ran 9 miles and our coaches told us we are ready to run the 26.2. I believe them...I think! It's hard to believe (still) that next week at this time I will be at a celebration dinner and a TNT Alumni. That's huge!

I would like to send out a BIG thanks to all my friends and family. The coaches trained me right and you all gave me the support system that I needed to make it this far as well. Steve's been awesome through the whole thing as well...the kids are going to expect pizza for breakfast every Saturday, but, hey, at least they're eating.

I still wish Gilly could be here to see me, but I completely understand why he won't be. He'll be getting updates throughout the race as to my where abouts....he'll be here in spirit. This is for you my good friend! Love you!

Until next week...gotta run...

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January 6, 2009

Only 5 days left!

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January 8, 2009

I leave tomorrow morning for Orlando. Race weekend is finally here! It's been a crazy week getting organized...not only for my weekend away, but for my family that I'm leaving behind. Steve and Zack will meet me up there tomorrow night for the kick-off pasta party and will sleep in Orlando Saturday night to be there early Sunday morning to see me run through the Magic Kingdom and again at the finish line. My mother and Aunt Jan will also be meeting me at the finish line. Lauren will be home with the babysitter (I'll have to do it again when she's able to understand what's going on).

I'm so excited! Words can't express how I've felt this week. It truely is amazing having so many people cheering me on...some that will be tracking my progress online because they couldn't be here in person. It's a wonderful feeling.

Thank you again everyone! I couldn't have done it with out you!

HERE'S TO YOU GILLY!

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January 11, 2009

I finished in 4 hours, 56 minutes and 33 seconds. I will write more about my experience a little later.

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January 21, 2009

It’s been a week and a half and I’m up and running again…literally. I lost one toe nail after the race. I had to have it removed…it feels so much better now. Better than before. I’m proud of my accomplishment and am now going to run Gasparilla in March, March 1st to be exact. I hope to continue working with TNT and do another fundraising event next year around this time…it’s been a great experience. Thanks TNT!