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Racing to Save Lives
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
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!
***** 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!
***** August 17, 2008:
10 down, 16.2 to go!
***** 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.
***** 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!
***** 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).
***** 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!
*****
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."
***** 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!
***** 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!
***** 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!
***** 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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Jennifer Gagnon
Last Edited on:
11/15/2008
Comments
| "Run Jen Run!" | |
| Barbara Thor | |
| "Good Luck Jen!" | |
| Sharon Mirovich | |
| "You go girl -- Promising drugs, and new treatments are coming out everyday. Chris has proven he's a fighter and will continue to battle this disease. His friends and family will rally to give him the support he needs to tackle this latest challenge. We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers. Michelle & Barb " | |
| Michelle Peel | |
| "Jen, you are a wonderful person running for a wonderful cause - we know you can do it - we'll be cheering you on from afar so go girl go!!! God Bless. Love, Cher, Eric and the girls" | |
| Cheryl Schwab | |
| "Jennifer, Good Luck with the race and your support for a great cause. Trish Wood (Kelli's mom)" | |
| Latricia Wood | |
| "Good luck!" | |
| Kelly Shivery | |
| "Go TNT!!!" | |
| Christine Ross | |
| "Good luck Jen! You can do it!" | |
| Trina Borromeo | |
| "Run Forrest! Run!!!" | |
| ELAINE, MATT NIEDERMEIER | |
| "Go Jen!!!! TNT is a life changing experience. I have loved it! Thank you for doing what you are doing. Hopefully we'll find a cure soon. You ROCK!!!" | |
| Lisa and Tom Kline | |
| "Jen, Thanks so much for what you are doing...good luck to you throughout your training and your "MARATHON" What a hugh undertaking for a great cause!! What a honor to have you as his friend.." | |
| Jo (Chris's mom) | |
| "Good Luck! It's a great thing that you are doing, Leslie" | |
| Leslie Monkarsh | |
| "Good luck Jen! You are making a difference!" | |
| Jennifer King | |
| "Hey Jen, I thought this would be fun for you to find out like this. Or for me to tell you like this. The problem is that I don't know if I can actually make it happen. I want to take a trip during break (Dec 17-Jan 7). As you can see, I'm supposed to be back at school before you run. I love what you've done and I told Steve that I want to take a trip this winter to see Y'all. I'd like to make your run a part of it. The problem is that I'm supposed to be back at school on the 8th. If I can work it out with school and can get the time off, then I'm there. I will let you know as soon as I can on this. Anyway, what do you think?, Can you hang afterwards? It Is great what you've done and I'd like to be a part of it as much as I can. LOVE YOU guys and will see you soon. GIL ps Lucky 13 will make the real donation to follow, this one was just to post on the site. PS&S I really want to visit Tampa...Not. " | |
| Lucky 13 Foundation | |
| "Thanks for the order. Looks like you're almost to your goal - congrats!" | |
| Andrea Sivertson | |
