I did it!

My race bib and finisher's medal

13.1 miles in a very slow 3:45:42. That time certainly didn't set any records, but that was never my intention. I began this process in May to train for my first endurance event, and to raise money for LLS at the same time. A year ago the thought of starting, let alone finishing, a half marathon seemed like a pipe dream at best. And I'd known about LLS and Team in Training, but I had no idea just what an impact this involvement with them would have on my life. I'm astounded by the number of people who are survivors of blood cancer, are currently undergoing treatment, or have loved ones battling these diseases. So many of you have been touched by LLS, either by their resources for assistance, or through receiving medication whose research was funded by the Society. And it was these stories that inspired me and pushed me on through training, injuries, and crises of faith (in myself). How can I give up because my hips hurt, or grumble about getting up at 5:00am to train? Quite simply - I couldn't. It was a privilege to put on my TNT race singlet yesterday and be out there representing my honorees and LLS.

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At the start with ribbons representing my honorees/inspirations

But I am only halfway to my goal. I finished the Virginia Beach Rock n Roll Half Marathon, but I am still short of my fundraising goal. There's still time left, and I have some local events in process. But I hope you can help me, too. I've been overwhlemed the generosity of all who have donated. This is a tough time for charitable contributions, which only makes your support that much more important. You all are heroes - to me and even moreso to those touched by blood cancers.

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At the finish with my TNT teammate & friend, Bailey. We met through TNT, and completed the event together.

TNT's involvement in in this year's Rock n Roll in Va Beach has raised over $235,000 for LLS. And since its founding, TNT has raised over $1 Billion across all of their events, all for LLS. And with these funds, LLS has been able to 100% fund the research for groundbreaking medications such as Gleevec, which has revolutionzed the treatment of CML - Chronic Myelogenous Lymphoma.

Every mile and every dollar brings as closer to a cure.

And don't forget - I have a prize drawing that will take place in October, using random.org to choose the winners:

Any donation $1-$19:

Entered into a drawing for Mobius Knot Earrings

Any donation $20-$49:

Entered into a drawing for a Byzantine weave bracelet

Any donation $50-$99:

Entered into a drawing for a sterling silver double spiral weave bracelet.

Any donation $100+:

As well as being entered into the $50+ drawing, you will also receive a byzantine weave bracelet in your desired length

This is my favorite tech tee. It's from J&A Racing's participation in National Running Day.

I ran 6.6 miles this weekend – my longest distance to date - and was thinking about why I run for most of it.

I Run…

• For my family
• To be a role model for my girls
• For me

I Don’t Run….

• For medals - I’ll never win a race. But I’ll be there with a grin on the starting line, and come through the finish triumphant.
• To get my old body back - I’m not going to be 115 lbs again, and I’m good with that. But I can be fit and healthy.

I Run…

• To prove to myself I can go that one extra mile
• To prove to myself I can be that one minute faster
• To take some time to take care of me

And with Team in Training, I Run…

• For my friends who’ve been affected by these diseases, including Burkitt’s Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and CML – Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.
• Because the research and the support for families that comes from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is staggering. LLS is saving lives - each TNT mile run and each dollar raised can mean one more birthday, one more saved life.
• In honor of 2 amazing boys, Andrew & Seamus, and in memory of my beautiful sorority sister, Cory. I run proudly with the help of so many of you - my friends and family who have generously donated in support of this cause!

And yes, I Run Because I Can.

After getting off my training program, I’ve certainly come back with a vengeance. Which is a good thing since the Virginia Beach Rock n Roll Half Marathon is only 13 weeks away! Running, swimming, weight-training…I’m pretty sure my high school friends are right now trying to blend the un-athletic me from the early 90’s with this new marathoner-in-training. Though as much as I love the training, the fundraising has been a major struggle, and I was starting to lose sight of why I joined TNT. At least I was, until I started to talk with one of those high school friends, Jentry, about her son, Seamus.

Jentry, and her husband Brian, have generously shared their family's experience with blood cancer with me, to share with all of you. It is their hope that they are able to give back to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for all the good they do for families like theirs. As I write this, and as I correspond with Jentry and Brian, I am re-invigorated in my goal to raise $2500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I have a long way to go, and I hope you will be as moved as I was by this family. I am so proud to be running this half marathon in honor of Seamus.

This is their story

When Seamus was 3 ½, his parents found a lump on the side of his rib cage about the size of half an egg. Their pediatrician put off sending the family to the hospital, but three days later he had trouble breathing, and his parents took Seamus to the ER. As his mother said, “I knew something was wrong when they took him in the back right away.” After a lot of tests, the doctors found a grapefruit-sized tumor in his abdomen. They spent the night together at their local hospital and were transferred the next day to the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

Seamus was diagnosed with stage IV Burkitts Lymphoma, a highly aggressive and rare form of cancer in the US. His bone marrow was over 95% cancerous. Jentry, Brian and Seamus spent 3 weeks in the hospital initially, and then returned every two weeks. In these return trips Seamus was admitted for a full week to undergo non-stop chemo. Then on the off week he went in for outpatient chemo.

In addition to his chemo treatments, Seamus also had 20 blood transfusions, many spinal taps and multiple bone marrow aspirations. I’ve certainly heard of spinal taps, and how painful they are, but I didn’t know what a bone marrow aspiration entailed. Jentry explained it to me: A bone marrow aspiration is when they bore into the pelvis with an instrument that looks like a straight cork screw, breaking through the bone to get a sample of the marrow. And remember – Seamus was just 3 ½! In all, his treatment was 5 months and very intense. Yet through all of this, Seamus was a trooper. On the days he felt well it was only his bald head would let on that he was sick. He truly has an indomitable spirit.

Brian says that Seamus "did bald well." I think they both did!

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was helpful in so many ways for Jentry and Brian. Initially, they were a resource for information, including ways to explain the illness to Seamus and to the rest of their family. And as time progressed, they helped financially from gas money to assistance with some treatment costs. But most importantly they were able to meet other families going through the same thing.



Seamus today - Age 11 - And proudly showing off his medal after his hockey team took 3rd place!



I am so happy to say that today Seamus is a happy, healthy, sports-playing 11 year old big brother. He is considered cured now – his last treatment was Christmas Day, 2003. As I struggle with my training and fund raising, I’m reminded that every dollar counts. LLS, with funds like those raised here, supports research for new treatments as well as provides financial assistance for families like Seamus’s. After reading about what Seamus, Jentry and Brian endured, the 13.1 miles and $2500 no longer seems insurmountable. Together, we can help families: from sons and daughters, to moms and dads – every dollar counts!





Seamus and his family enjoying an outing. Supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society can help make days like this possible for other families!

 

XOX, Lisa

Well, it’s 3 days into my training program, and I got my endurance run in for the week. It was a fantastic 3 miles at 5:30am on Tuesday. My hips felt really good (finally!) and I loved running with the sunrise. I’m hoping to get a run in tomorrow afternoon with my favorite running partner - my 5 year old daughter, Zoe. She has definitely been bitten by the running bug, and is doing a 5K with me on May 15th! So tomorrow's run won't break any records, but I love the info Zoe shares with me running that I can never get out of her otherwise. It’s our Mommy and Zoe time, and it means as much to her as it does to me.

I am so grateful to have my 3 daughters in my life, and am thankful everyday that they are happy, healthy little girls. But this only serves as a reminder that Leukemia remains a leading cause of cancer related death in children and there is no known cure. However, the good news is that in 1960, the five-year survival rate for children with the most common form of leukemia was just 4%. Today, it is 85%! I am proud to be partnered with LLS to raise funds for more research, and one day a cure!

I appreciate anything you can give to help me meet my fundraising goal! And as an added thank you, I've set up drawings and giveaways based on giving levels. Still trying to get pix uploaded for each item :o)

Any donation $0-$19:

Entered into a drawing for Mobius Knot Earrings

Any donation $20-$49:

Entered into a drawing for a Byzantine weave bracelet

Any donation $50-$99:

Entered into a drawing for a sterling silver double spiral weave bracelet.

Any donation $100+:

As well as being entered into the $50+ drawing, you will also receive a byzantine weave bracelet in your desired length.

xox, Lisa

This is the question I keep asking myself. Followed very closely by, "Am I absolutely crazy???"

13.1 miles? I've been runnning for just under a year, and the longest race distance I've run was the Shamrock 8K in March. I'm well behind where I should be in my training, due to Bursitis in both hips. Though at least on that end, I'll be trying out a run bright and early tomorrow AM. I'm hoping for the best, which leaves me 4 months of pretty intense training - and that just sounds like fun!

So that leaves $2500 as the much scarier number. But that's $2500 to help fund research targeting blood cancers, to help purchase the supplies to make the research happen, or to provide patient aid to families with a loved one living with a blood cancer. These are just a few of the ways donations to LLS are used.

There are approximately 912,938 Americans living with, or are in remission from leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, NHL, or myeloma. I am proud to be running in honor of 2 such boys, both sons of high school friends. Over the next few weeks, I'll be introducing you to Andrew and Seamus, and sharing their stories, and the stories of their families.

I am also running in memory of college friend and sorority sister, Cory Rovin. I'm running to help raise money so that there are more stories like Andrew's and Seamus's, and fewer like Cory's.

I appreciate anything you can give to help me meet my goal! And as an added thank you, I've set up drawings and giveaways based on giving levels. I'll get sample pictures up shortly.

Any donation $0-$19:

Entered into a drawing for Mobius Knot Earrings

Any donation $20-$49:

Entered into a drawing for a Byzantine weave bracelet

Any donation $50-$99:

Entered into a drawing for a sterling silver double spiral weave bracelet.

Any donation $100+:

As well as being entered into the $50+ drawing, you will also receive a byzantine weave bracelet in your desired length.

XOX, Lisa