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Racing to Save Lives

OCTOBER 3 -- Well, typing the month "October" gave me a little chill. You see, that's the month I run my first marathon...and, that's this month! As in October 18, 2009, which is just about 2 weeks away!!

A lot has been happening; September 22nd was our Spa for the Cure fundraiser. It was a beautiful night -- Douglas Preston was an outstanding host and had just the right flair and comedic timing to keep us all in good spirits.

Stefan, the GM of the Inn & Spa at Loretto gave a moving speech about his wife's battle with leukemia. We were also lucky enough to hear from Nicole Miner, Miss New Mexico 2009 and her mother, Veronica Miner. The sweetest part was when Nicole serenaded her mother with an a capella version of "Wind Beneath My Wings." I don't think there was a dry eye in that room.

Guests enjoyed fabulous mini spa treatments and many walked away with fabulous door prizes. A great big thank you to Stefan, Suzanne, Spa directory extraordinnaire and all our generous sponsors for the event.

September 25th was the one year anniversary of Harry losing his battle with leukemia and I had Elyce on my mind and in my heart for most of that day. I have been so touched by many who new Harry who have been sending encouragement and donations and sharing their memories of Harry.

Then, on Saturday, I carried Harry with me in my heart as I tackled my longest run to date -- 20.7 miles. It was a tough, hilly course but I thought of Harry and all of the others I have met along this journey whose names I will proudly wear on ribbons on race day and that got me through!

Now, today as I write this, I have completed my 2nd to last training long run of 12 miles. Yes, we are now officially tapering and how sweet it is! Next week, a quick 10 miles, then carb loading and off to San Francisco for the real deal -- a marathon!!!

Between now and then I will work on my ribbons and pictures for my race day jersey, and that all important fashion statement -- putting together my outfit for race day head to toe...must be ready for those tuxedo-clad firemen who will be waiting at the finish line.

And one more thing -- a last minute plea to help me reach my goal! My fundraising cutoff is this coming Wednesday. A big thank you to all the generous people who have already made a tax deductible donation. And, if you haven't, please consider making one to this excellent cause. Every dollar counts - even a $5 donation will greatly help - I would like to proudly tell Elyce on race day in San Francisco that I have met my goal in honor of Harry. Thank you, thank you thank you!!!

SEPTEMBER 14 -- Well, as you can see it has been awhile since I've updated my saga of training for my first marathon. A lot has happened since my last update so I'll try to just touch on a few highlights.

You see, this is where it gets difficult...this marathon training stuff is not for sissies!! Once the mileage surpasses 13.1, it's not a walk in the park, not that it ever was. I won't lie, the last few weeks of training have been tough. Two weeks ago, I didn't finish all my mileage and I discovered the true meaning of "hitting the wall." Not fun. But then, cancer is not fun either.

I am having to dig deep and find something within myself that I never knew I had.

Yet, there are so many beautiful things that keep me going. The generous donations of all the vendors for our fabulous Spa for a Cure fundraising event, which takes place on Tuesday 9/22 6-9pm.

For only $50 you will enjoy mini spa treatments, spa goodie bags that include a $20 giftcard, wine, champagne and appetizers. A fabulous emcee, Spa guru Doug Preston who will make it a great, entertaining night. Oh, and door prizes that include brunch at the Loretto, lodging and a spa day.

Huge thanks to the Inn & Spa at Loretto, Barefoot Wines, Gruet, Sunflower Market and all of their tremendous support and donations.

And, thank you to Pamela, a complete stranger, who saw me wearing my TNT training shirt, whipped out her checkbook and wrote me a $50 check, "for her daddy" who lost his battle with lymphoma a few years back. That made me cry and made me realize why I have lost my mind -- it's for a very good cause!

To Joan Nordstrom, who stopped by my store, glowing and full of life to report she had fought leukemia hard and now is in remission and on her way to enjoy a trip to Europe to treat herself to something wonderful after all the hard battling she described to beat back this disease -- another moment that made my day -- Bon Voyage Joan!!

To Bumblebee Baja Grill, who has generously agreed to donate 10% of every meal for anyone who brings in a special TNT 10% coupon every Monday & Tuesday in September.

The fundraising continues, the running continues...thank you to all who have given, even a dollar or two -- anything large or small, it all makes a difference to those who are in the battle for their lives! And, thanks for all the cheerleading, the kind words, the GO TEAM's and all the rest. It all makes me smile and keeps me believing I can go just one more mile!

AUGUST 1 - Wow, I cannot believe we've arrived at August with only 5 more months of 2009. If someone had told me back in December I would train for and run a 1/2 marathon and a full marathon this year, I would have laughed at them for sure. I was a very inconsistent exerciser - I tried to walk or hike every week or so, lifted weights every so often and that was about it. Now, here I am less than a year later, training for a marathon and raising money for LLS! I am now a runner and actually can survive a 10 mile walk or run -- who knew I had it in me?!?

Today, we started off early, to beat the heat. Twelve miles went by pretty quickly and I had the realization that I am almost halfway there -- I toyed with the idea of cutting down to the 1/2 marathon, only being 13.1 miles and all, but then voted myself down. I really want to push myself and go for the full 26.2 miles. I guess it's part insanity and part the stubborness of being Capricorn :-)

So, I've got to recommit to myself, my fundraising, my healthy eating and cross-training to get me there. Plus, my kickass Hurrican shoes, hydration packs, sport beans and OMG, I have finally discovered an electrolyte drink that doesn't make me wanna barf -- Powerade Zero in Grape. Sounds disgusting and all, but it does the trick, so I've stocked up! Another 10 weeks of training to go -- thank you, thank you, thank you to all of my supporters who have given me encouragement, kind words and last but not least those tax deductible donations that will fund research and provide patient support -- I cannot thank you enough! I think Harry would be very proud!!

JULY 26 - Today I ran my 12 miles alone in Eldorado. Due to scheduling challenges and teen transport woes, I didn't make the group run yesterday. As I was running, I remembered that this was the way I trained for the 1/2 marathon last April, by myself on this same trail. And, I realized how far I have come. Back then, at the beginning of the year, I was walking the course. Now, I am mostly running with walking breaks. Last Spring, 12 miles was the length of my longest training run before I started tapering prior to the 1/2 marathon. Now, I am about midway through training and will continue to build up beyond 12 miles! I remember doing the twelve miles last Spring and basically being shot for the rest of the day, on the couch in agony. This time, it was different. It was a tough run for sure, the course is mostly uphill for the last few miles and boy, I felt that steady incline. But, afterwards, I got home and continued on with my day, realizing twelve miles feels a lot different now. It's still a very decent amount of mileage, but I now feel like I can conquer more. And, as I ran, I visualized crossing the finish line in San Francisco with Elyse there and felt that I could somehow find it within myself to keep building my mileage and working towards that 26.2 miles.

JULY 25 - Tonight TNT hosted a pizza party and I had the opportunity to meet one of our honored patients, Mary Ann, who has just celebrated her 5 year survival mark, quite an accomplishment! It was very motivating to meet her and be reminded that along with doing this in memory of Harry, there are patients who are receiving support and lots of encouragement from what Team in Training is doing! As we went around the table and everyone shared their personal stories of how they got involved, it was very encouraging and motivating to be a part of this great positive energy for finding a cure!

JULY 18 - So, today was our 10 mile run, which sounded like a lot of mileage, but I was determined to plan ahead and be ready! I got to bed early, prepped everything the night before and felt like after a great night's sleep, I would be ready to conquer the world and crank out ten miles. Not so fast...I was up basically all night long with Kingsley, he was just not feeling right. At first I thought he was coming out of remission and back to being sick. I was amazed that I actually woke up when my alarm sounded at 5:30am, ugh! Somehow I got in my car and drove to the starting point. Well, maybe I can hold out for 8 miles, I told myself. I feigned a smile as I joined the team and announced that there was NO WAY I would do 10 miles. I ran w/Sonya and it was so great to have her there keeping me going. I actually ran longer intervals than I ever have -- and, I completed the 10 miles!! It was not easy, but neither is fighting cancer. I did find out later in the week that Kinglsey is just fine, most likely just a reaction to a higher dose of chemo. Onwards + upwards -- more mileage next week!

JUL Y 16 - Well, I realize I DID promise updates, so here we go. The last week has been a tough one. We are stuck in a heat wave, with temps in the 90's. This makes my training feel impossible. You see, I overheat when the weather is just warm, with this heat I am having a tough time keeping up with my miles. I have a 10 mile run this Saturday and it will be hot. So, I have had a week of pity partying and thinking about how hard this all is. And then, I think of Harry.

How hard it must have been to fight leukemia with everything he had. To do battle each day against a disease. When the runs get really tough, I just try to stay focused and remember why I am doing this. And I keep running!

Another thing that keeps me going is that I found out this week that Harry's wife, Elyce is going to try to be in San Francisco to cheer me on at the marathon -- this is so exciting! Wish me luck and cool vibes for this Saturday! {Watch this space, I hope to soon announce some BIG fundraising events!}

MY INTRODUCTION - WHY I RUN

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event 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 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!

After completing my first half-marathon in April 2009, I wanted to challenge myself to complete a full marathon in honor of Harry Purcell, a dear friend who lost his battle with leukemia and left us far too soon, at the age of 49. It is my hope that by raising funds in his memory, others who are battling this disease will benefit and Harry's generous spirit will live on.

As of May 26th, I received some very heartbreaking news; my sweet dog, Kingsley (ironically, a Portuguese Water Dog, the same breed as the 2 dogs pictured here with Harry) was just diagnosed with end-stage Lymphoma. A picture of Kingsley will be added to my shirt, as I run in honor of him as well as Harry.

Please donate to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. I am grateful for any amount you can donate, large or small. Ideas for fundraising are also welcome! Don't forget to check with your HR department about matching funds; I can provide any information you may need and it will double your donation!

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!