For those of you who are following along, it's no surprise that~ IT'S HERE! I'm heading out first thing in the morning to catch my flight to seattle. I will be running at 7 am PST on Saturday morning. Think of me!!
I ended up raising the most money of anyone in the rocky mountain chapter this season~ $6,535... so I thank each and everyone of my donors for that as well as my emotional supporters... absolutely could NOT have done this without you!
Until the finish line...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Getting close...
I cried hysterically today. I have so many beautiful people in my life. In the last few weeks, my fundraising total has shot up more than $1,000 with the total thus far coming to OVER $6,300!!!! I have received over a hundred emails and letters over the course of the past 5 months expressing encouragement, personal stories, thanks, and support. I cannot express in words how much this entire experience has meant to me.
I had a bit of a rough patch last year, actually a very rough patch... and right now, I feel better than I have in a long time- emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system in my life. I know that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Speaking of accomplishing anything~ my longest training run was 22 miles. I ran my first race ever (the half marathon in denver). I got up every Saturday morning at 6:15 to meet with the team for our long run. I went to the CSU track on Thursday nights and pushed my body in speedwork. I have run over 400 miles since February. In 10 days, I will run 26.2 miles through the streets of Seattle and I will think of each and every one of my friends, family, and strangers who have supported me on this journey.... and I will think mostly of my Aunt Anne Marie, who inspired this wonderful chapter in my life.
I had a bit of a rough patch last year, actually a very rough patch... and right now, I feel better than I have in a long time- emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system in my life. I know that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Speaking of accomplishing anything~ my longest training run was 22 miles. I ran my first race ever (the half marathon in denver). I got up every Saturday morning at 6:15 to meet with the team for our long run. I went to the CSU track on Thursday nights and pushed my body in speedwork. I have run over 400 miles since February. In 10 days, I will run 26.2 miles through the streets of Seattle and I will think of each and every one of my friends, family, and strangers who have supported me on this journey.... and I will think mostly of my Aunt Anne Marie, who inspired this wonderful chapter in my life.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Bolder Boulder 10k
Well that was certainly the most fun (and only) 10k I've ever done! I entered the Bolder Boulder. The event is held every Memorial Day through the streets of Boulder, Colorado. I've heard a lot about this event and it had a rather large repuatation to uphold... which it did. There were over 54,000 participants. Many of them in great costumes (had I known this, perhaps I would have been more aptly prepared... we all know how I love to wear costumes). And this race was really for people of ANY ability level. Literally, at the starting line, I was jumping over small children and running around men dressed in gorilla suits. This was not a race to get my record time by any means, but it was sure was an entertaining jog...
The race went through the neighborhoods of Boulder, where we ran through keg parties and belly dancing squads. Music was blaring from every corner and slip n' slides and sprinklers were a standard part of the course. The finish came into the CSU stadium which was filled with thousands of people in the stands (see photos). It was pretty frickin' cool.
After "the common folk" race was over, they bought on the elite racing teams. Men and women from ethiopia, kenya, morocco, mexico, japan, etc all competed on the same course we had just completed (though I have a funny feeling they didn't stop for a beer along the way). The winner was a guy from ethiopia who ran 6.2 miles in 28 minutes- averaging just over a 4 minute mile!!! He was SO fast and the crowd was going NUTS when he came barreling throgh the final gates. After that, an airplane flew overhead and started dropping skydivers and then a fleet of fighter jets roared through. During the national anthem and the 21 gun salute, the thunder rolled and then the rains came POURING down, putting a little damper on the afterparty, but it was still overall a SUPER fun experience and one I definitely plan to be a part of in the coming years...
Sunday, May 10, 2009
so i let a little month roll by...
oops. I am really terrible at this blog business- but then again, I'm guessing that those of you who are reading it don't really need to hear my EVERY move =)
I fell off the bandwagon last week when I was in California. I did a couple random runs, but nothing according to my training schedule and I skipped my long run... which is a big "NO" in the distance runner's eyes. But alas, group training came on Saturday and I ran 18.81 miles in 3 hours... so I guess it didn't hinder me all that much after all... still, no more excuses... and no more leaving the state- it's time to buckle down and go full force because my marathon is in less than 7 weeks!!
Me and a few others from TNT have signed up for the Boulder Bolder on Memorial Day. I've heard it's a great time- a 10k with the 3 b's (bands, bar-b-que, and beer!) So that will be fun, I'm sure.
Donations are still coming in, although they've slowed down at this point. I have over $5,000 so far!... and I still have a few more weeks to try to get that number up a little more.
As for the upcoming marathon, I'm rolling with an entourage!! My family (mom, dad and brother) are flying out from NJ and my girls are coming from portland, breckenridge, and santa monica to be there for moral support (and sarah, the brave soul... has taken on the 1/2 marathon) THANK YOU GUYS! It means so much to me to have such a great support system during this whole thing- not just the actual marathon, but all the donations and letters and words of encouragement. Keep it coming! Until next time....
I fell off the bandwagon last week when I was in California. I did a couple random runs, but nothing according to my training schedule and I skipped my long run... which is a big "NO" in the distance runner's eyes. But alas, group training came on Saturday and I ran 18.81 miles in 3 hours... so I guess it didn't hinder me all that much after all... still, no more excuses... and no more leaving the state- it's time to buckle down and go full force because my marathon is in less than 7 weeks!!
Me and a few others from TNT have signed up for the Boulder Bolder on Memorial Day. I've heard it's a great time- a 10k with the 3 b's (bands, bar-b-que, and beer!) So that will be fun, I'm sure.
Donations are still coming in, although they've slowed down at this point. I have over $5,000 so far!... and I still have a few more weeks to try to get that number up a little more.
As for the upcoming marathon, I'm rolling with an entourage!! My family (mom, dad and brother) are flying out from NJ and my girls are coming from portland, breckenridge, and santa monica to be there for moral support (and sarah, the brave soul... has taken on the 1/2 marathon) THANK YOU GUYS! It means so much to me to have such a great support system during this whole thing- not just the actual marathon, but all the donations and letters and words of encouragement. Keep it coming! Until next time....
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Easter Saturday
Sorry I never wrote about my half marathon- it was awesome!! I finished in 1:58:25, which for me was a thrill because it was under 2 hours... and I loved the experience of racing. Now I am really excited about the marathon!
I have been having pretty good runs all week. I did some RIDICULOUS hill training on Tuesday in poudre canyon. BIG hills... small mountains :) Wednesday was a recovery day, so just a 30 minute easy run. Thursday, we had group hill training- just intervals up this loooong but steady climb behind the university stadium. It's a good thing I am doing all this hill training, because they posted the course for Seattle and miles 14-19 are ALL hills... eek. Who is responsible for making these courses anyway?? Clearly, NOT someone who is intending to run them....
Today we had a little easter/recommitment celebration post run- Alex (the team hero) came to cheer us on (see photo) and Mary made us all breakfast burritos and little easter basket treats... what a great mentor she has been. Today was a 2 hour run and I got in 13.7 miles! That is the furthest I have EVER run in my entire life! And it felt DAMN good!!!
Friday, April 3, 2009
For the on-line fans :)
here's the link to the article about me in the courier...
http://www.recordernewspapers.com/articles/2009/04/03/chatham_courier/latest_news/doc49d3e87dbfc03853803859.txt
oh... and the forecast for my half marathon on sunday is snow... sweet. this should make for an interesting 13.1 miles :)
http://www.recordernewspapers.com/articles/2009/04/03/chatham_courier/latest_news/doc49d3e87dbfc03853803859.txt
oh... and the forecast for my half marathon on sunday is snow... sweet. this should make for an interesting 13.1 miles :)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Front Page!
If you live in the Chatham (New Jersey) area... check out the front page of the Chatham Courier today!
If you don't, look it up on-line tomorrow (Friday)
If you don't, look it up on-line tomorrow (Friday)
Monday, March 30, 2009
GOAL!
BROKE $4,000.00!!!! I am so thrilled with all the support (both financially and mentally) that I have been receiving. This whole experience has just been awesome! I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far in helping me reach my original goal. I'm not stopping there though- now I'm aiming for $5,000.00!! (So if you are planning to donate, but haven't had a chance yet... help me get there!)
Training is going well- I love getting out for my morning run- and sometimes I want to run on the days I don't have to-- is this what they were talking about- addiction?? It helps that the weather has been cooperating for the most part here... and I love living in the foothills- trails everywhere! Running with the team on the Saturday long runs has been really encouraging. Some of us really started from scratch and it's great to see how far everyone is coming. We have started mid-week practices on Thursday evenings to work on speed and hills. I don't like hills. Unfortunately, downtown Seattle IS hills, so I suppose I'd better get used to it....
This coming weekend, I am entering my first race ever- the Platte River Half Marathon. It's through Littleton, Colorado, on the trails along the river and then comes out in Denver. I would like you to keep in mind I have NEVER entered a race in my life... not even a 5k... unless you count the mini-marathon, which was (I think) a 3 mile run back in middle school. eek.
Training is going well- I love getting out for my morning run- and sometimes I want to run on the days I don't have to-- is this what they were talking about- addiction?? It helps that the weather has been cooperating for the most part here... and I love living in the foothills- trails everywhere! Running with the team on the Saturday long runs has been really encouraging. Some of us really started from scratch and it's great to see how far everyone is coming. We have started mid-week practices on Thursday evenings to work on speed and hills. I don't like hills. Unfortunately, downtown Seattle IS hills, so I suppose I'd better get used to it....
This coming weekend, I am entering my first race ever- the Platte River Half Marathon. It's through Littleton, Colorado, on the trails along the river and then comes out in Denver. I would like you to keep in mind I have NEVER entered a race in my life... not even a 5k... unless you count the mini-marathon, which was (I think) a 3 mile run back in middle school. eek.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
$276.50 and a box of chocolates
Yesterday and today, I sat in front of JAX, a big-time local sport shop, and I set up a stand to raise money. I sold my crochet hats and a bunch of pins/magnets/keychains courtesy of Gramma's Kitchen Stitchen (thanks mom!) What an incredible impact it had on me. First of all, I raised $276.50!! I also received a box of chocolates. Let me elaborate...
Yesterday, a man came up and donated money and explained that his mother had passed away a few years back from leukemia. He sat there with me for quite some time as we talked about the impact of blood cancers and the way one person CAN help change the world- his quote was "it only takes an acorn to grow a mighty oak tree". He told me how amazing it was what I was doing and blah blah blah. It was great. Well, today.. he came back. He handed me a box of Lindor Truffles. He said that when his mother was alive and someone did something kind for her, she would give them a swiss chocolate. Her personal way of saying thank you. He felt I deserved a whole box.
Then... a little girl of probably about age 6 or 7 came up to my table clutching a 5 dollar bill in her hand. She dropped it in my donation box and said "thank you so much for doing this". I was touched... So I handed her an Easter bunny magnet. Then her father walked up behind her and said "She has leukemia. She is in her final treatments. What you are doing means so much to us".
Needless to say, it was a great day. Those are just 2 of the stories, but all day long, I heard positive comments and fantastic stories. So... I will be doing this again. I'm going to call the JAX in the next town over and there are also plenty of other shops in town. Although it's getting a bit warm for selling my crochet winter hats, people get the idea and they are for the most part, willing to help out!
Oh... and I ran over 10 miles on Saturday's run!! details... details.... :)
Yesterday, a man came up and donated money and explained that his mother had passed away a few years back from leukemia. He sat there with me for quite some time as we talked about the impact of blood cancers and the way one person CAN help change the world- his quote was "it only takes an acorn to grow a mighty oak tree". He told me how amazing it was what I was doing and blah blah blah. It was great. Well, today.. he came back. He handed me a box of Lindor Truffles. He said that when his mother was alive and someone did something kind for her, she would give them a swiss chocolate. Her personal way of saying thank you. He felt I deserved a whole box.
Then... a little girl of probably about age 6 or 7 came up to my table clutching a 5 dollar bill in her hand. She dropped it in my donation box and said "thank you so much for doing this". I was touched... So I handed her an Easter bunny magnet. Then her father walked up behind her and said "She has leukemia. She is in her final treatments. What you are doing means so much to us".
Needless to say, it was a great day. Those are just 2 of the stories, but all day long, I heard positive comments and fantastic stories. So... I will be doing this again. I'm going to call the JAX in the next town over and there are also plenty of other shops in town. Although it's getting a bit warm for selling my crochet winter hats, people get the idea and they are for the most part, willing to help out!
Oh... and I ran over 10 miles on Saturday's run!! details... details.... :)
Friday, March 13, 2009
So much $, so much time :)
WHOA! The donations have been POURING in! You guys are all FANTASTIC!! I'm almost at my halfway point... of course, I don't have to stop at $4,000... let's just aim higher!
Tomorrow morning at 7:45 we have group training again. 1 and 1/2 hour run. Good to have company for those long ones... We usually pick some really nice bike trails around the city... have a little team meeting to start out and then we're off! Last weekend we were running past prairie dogs and bald eagles in 60 degree weather, so I guess I really can't complain :)
Tomorrow and Sunday I also have a fundraising stand set up in front of JAX, which is like a local EMS or REI. They are letting me set up a table to sell my crochet hats. I'm going to donate all the proceeds to my fundraising balance. And then next Saturday we have a group fundraiser, a bowling party here in Fort Collins. I've been collecting food and prize donations all week from local businesses... so let's hope that's a success as well.
Thanks again for ALL the support- both donation wise and all the positive emails that I've been receiving. I can't stress how important you guys are every day as I have to "drag" myself out of the house to go running- knowing that what I'm doing is SO MUCH BIGGER than me!!
Tomorrow morning at 7:45 we have group training again. 1 and 1/2 hour run. Good to have company for those long ones... We usually pick some really nice bike trails around the city... have a little team meeting to start out and then we're off! Last weekend we were running past prairie dogs and bald eagles in 60 degree weather, so I guess I really can't complain :)
Tomorrow and Sunday I also have a fundraising stand set up in front of JAX, which is like a local EMS or REI. They are letting me set up a table to sell my crochet hats. I'm going to donate all the proceeds to my fundraising balance. And then next Saturday we have a group fundraiser, a bowling party here in Fort Collins. I've been collecting food and prize donations all week from local businesses... so let's hope that's a success as well.
Thanks again for ALL the support- both donation wise and all the positive emails that I've been receiving. I can't stress how important you guys are every day as I have to "drag" myself out of the house to go running- knowing that what I'm doing is SO MUCH BIGGER than me!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
This Just In...
I just got this email from my team captain...
"There are some EXCITING things going on in the world of cancer research right here in our own backyard thanks to your hard earned fundraising dollars! Dr. Yosef Refaeli and his team are funded by the LLS, and work out of Denver's National Jewish Hospital. This amazing group of researchers are on the cusp of discovering a way to use a patient's own cells in treatment INSTEAD of relying on a bone marrow transplant. This is a really exciting discovery because it eliminates the need to find a bone marrow match. Locating a bone marrow match often takes months or even years, and sometimes no one is ever found! Non-existent bone marrow matches are a huge reason why the survival rates for some types of cancer are so low. However, with this new discovery, the patient will be their own perfect match! In addition, the researchers believe that they can multiply the extracted cells so that the patient has a lifetime supply in the event that they have a relapse. The icing on the cake is that this treatment can applied to patient's battling a wide variety of cancers, not just blood-related. The research from National Jewish is just one of many examples of how your hard earned fundraising dollars are at work and saving lives! Thank you for making these amazing advancements in cancer treatment possible. None of it would happen without your dedication to TNT and its mission!"
So THAT is what your generous donations are helping to do!!! Doesn't that bring a smile to your face?? Keep 'em coming-- I still have 4 more months!!!
Been having a good week running- it's been SO beautiful out- literally in the 70's (farenheit) and sunny!! So I can't complain about forcing myself out on the trails. Our next team training is this Saturday- I'll keep you posted...
"There are some EXCITING things going on in the world of cancer research right here in our own backyard thanks to your hard earned fundraising dollars! Dr. Yosef Refaeli and his team are funded by the LLS, and work out of Denver's National Jewish Hospital. This amazing group of researchers are on the cusp of discovering a way to use a patient's own cells in treatment INSTEAD of relying on a bone marrow transplant. This is a really exciting discovery because it eliminates the need to find a bone marrow match. Locating a bone marrow match often takes months or even years, and sometimes no one is ever found! Non-existent bone marrow matches are a huge reason why the survival rates for some types of cancer are so low. However, with this new discovery, the patient will be their own perfect match! In addition, the researchers believe that they can multiply the extracted cells so that the patient has a lifetime supply in the event that they have a relapse. The icing on the cake is that this treatment can applied to patient's battling a wide variety of cancers, not just blood-related. The research from National Jewish is just one of many examples of how your hard earned fundraising dollars are at work and saving lives! Thank you for making these amazing advancements in cancer treatment possible. None of it would happen without your dedication to TNT and its mission!"
So THAT is what your generous donations are helping to do!!! Doesn't that bring a smile to your face?? Keep 'em coming-- I still have 4 more months!!!
Been having a good week running- it's been SO beautiful out- literally in the 70's (farenheit) and sunny!! So I can't complain about forcing myself out on the trails. Our next team training is this Saturday- I'll keep you posted...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Back in Action.
ok... NOT going to let that slacking off happen again. Today was anything but easy to get back into it... and on the LOOOONG run of all days- 1 hour and 15 minutes. And I admit, when I woke up this morning, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it- it'd been a long week and I just haven't been feeling so fantastic. But then I was on facebook and I put up my training website and within minutes, I had people writing me to say how great it was that I was doing this and how proud they are... and then I received an INCREDIBLY generous donation from my cousin (thanks Eirini and Mike) and then I had no choice... I put on my running shoes and headed out into the afternoon sun.
10 minutes in I had to pee... and there is really nowhere to hide on the bike trail by my house so I stuck it out and ran and ran and ran... not the fastest run I've had thus far, or the most comfortable, but you know what... I'm back in action... and let that be a lesson to myself- DO NOT skimp out on training... or prepare to face the consequences on the rebound.
Tomorrow I am heading out into my neighborhood to sneak attack and leave my fundraising letter in unsuspecting mailboxes. Then I am checking into one of the local sport shops to see if they will let me sell my crochet hats (as a fundraiser)
Cure Cancer W/ Crochet (catchy??- well... cheesy, but it might work)
I BEG YOU to keep the support coming because that is REALLY what keeps me going during those rough patches... of which I know there will be many more to come!
10 minutes in I had to pee... and there is really nowhere to hide on the bike trail by my house so I stuck it out and ran and ran and ran... not the fastest run I've had thus far, or the most comfortable, but you know what... I'm back in action... and let that be a lesson to myself- DO NOT skimp out on training... or prepare to face the consequences on the rebound.
Tomorrow I am heading out into my neighborhood to sneak attack and leave my fundraising letter in unsuspecting mailboxes. Then I am checking into one of the local sport shops to see if they will let me sell my crochet hats (as a fundraiser)
Cure Cancer W/ Crochet (catchy??- well... cheesy, but it might work)
I BEG YOU to keep the support coming because that is REALLY what keeps me going during those rough patches... of which I know there will be many more to come!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Off Week... :(
Well, you may have noticed my run tracker has not been counting any new runs since last Saturday. Yikes. Not okay, really... but I had a friend from out of town visiting. Not that that is an excuse, but I was doing some other physical activity- went snowboarding a few days and did a little mellow biking and hiking. After a few days off, it's always hard to get back into it, so I'm giving myself today (Friday) as a final day of rest and then tomorrow I jump right back in with my weekly long run- which will feel good to get back into the swing of things.... so get on my case if you don't see a new run logged in by tomorrow afternoon!
It's been exciting checking my mail box because almost every day, I've had a donation check come in! I'll be mailing them into the main office soon and those donations will show up on my fundraising page... The great thing too, is that many people have included a card telling me how great this whole thing is, or giving me a little boost of motivation- it really means a lot to me. I even started crying yesterday because I got a card in the mail from a woman who I have never even met who wrote to me about her husband's battle with leukemia. ahh.... this is turning out to be quite a journey!! More later.....
It's been exciting checking my mail box because almost every day, I've had a donation check come in! I'll be mailing them into the main office soon and those donations will show up on my fundraising page... The great thing too, is that many people have included a card telling me how great this whole thing is, or giving me a little boost of motivation- it really means a lot to me. I even started crying yesterday because I got a card in the mail from a woman who I have never even met who wrote to me about her husband's battle with leukemia. ahh.... this is turning out to be quite a journey!! More later.....
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Meet Alex
So, today we had our first team training session! I woke up at 6:30 to a few inches of fresh snow- took my dog for a short walk and then bundled up and headed to the CSU track. It was a cold morning, that's for sure and only 6 of us actually showed up... and I was one of the hard core ones :)
It was an easy session. We did a bit of a warm up and then timed our miles, for pacing groups. I got an 8:54, with a steady pace... which is a good thing (according to Coach Jen, whose middle name happens to be Johanna!)
Then our little mascot showed up. I shouldn't say mascot, he's our local team hero. His name is Alex. He is 6 1/2 years old, he has down syndrome and in 2007 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Because of the down syndrome, cancer treatments are harder on his body. He goes through many more side effects from chemo (as if the regular side effects aren't bad enough) It's been a rough few years for the little guy, but you'd never know it from the big smile plastered across his face. Alex lives here in Fort Collins and he will be cheering us on from the sidelines as we train. Today he braved the cold in his full snow attire and sat through photos and everything else. Talk about a little motivator- seriously, having him there made me run just a little bit faster... maybe.
It was an easy session. We did a bit of a warm up and then timed our miles, for pacing groups. I got an 8:54, with a steady pace... which is a good thing (according to Coach Jen, whose middle name happens to be Johanna!)
Then our little mascot showed up. I shouldn't say mascot, he's our local team hero. His name is Alex. He is 6 1/2 years old, he has down syndrome and in 2007 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Because of the down syndrome, cancer treatments are harder on his body. He goes through many more side effects from chemo (as if the regular side effects aren't bad enough) It's been a rough few years for the little guy, but you'd never know it from the big smile plastered across his face. Alex lives here in Fort Collins and he will be cheering us on from the sidelines as we train. Today he braved the cold in his full snow attire and sat through photos and everything else. Talk about a little motivator- seriously, having him there made me run just a little bit faster... maybe.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
KICK OFF!
Yesterday I had my first meeting with the ENTIRE rocky mountain chapter of Team In Training! The room was filled with hundreds of people! It got pretty emotional. There were "team heros" there, which are cancer survivors that have had their lives in some way bettered by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. They were talking about these wonder drugs that were discovered by researches right here in Colorado. These researchers are funded by our very own Rocky Mountain Team! So it was great to hear some physical proof that what I have set out to do IS actually going to make a difference. There was a 9 year old boy who stood up there and courageously shared his story of being diagnosed with cancer when he was just a toddler. Then his father stood and told us some of the hardships the family went through during this time. Now, Mason stood before us with long blond hair and a smiling face and told us that he has been cancer free for almost 6 years! That was cool.
Today is the official start of my training. Starts out easy- only 30 minutes today... I think I can handle that ;)
Today is the official start of my training. Starts out easy- only 30 minutes today... I think I can handle that ;)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Reason...
Help Me!
I am about to embark on what is probably going to be one of the most significant challenges in my life thus far… I am going to run a marathon. Not only that, but I am going to do this in conjunction with a goal of raising over $4,000.00 towards research to find a cure for cancer! I know… a marathon – 26.2 miles (42.2km) through the streets of downtown Seattle at the end of June. Really? Why?
Well, actually I am doing this for a couple of reasons. First of all, my life “to-do list”… you know, those things you have always told yourself that you are going to accomplish in this lifetime. Secondly, and much more importantly I am running this marathon in memory of my Aunt Anne Marie.
In October of 2005, I was on a solo trek in the Andes Mountains in Peru with only my guide, Francisco. The first few days were `normal`... we walked about 5 hours every day and we camped every night. The real test came on day 5. It started out like every other day... I ate a breakfast of hot porridge and spaghetti and we were off at a little before 7 in the morning. After about 20 minutes it started to rain… light at first, but progressively stronger. At this point, we were nearing a mountain pass at 16,000 ft. which meant that the rain was turning to snow. It’s freezing and within minutes everything I am wearing is soaked through and I am starting to lose feeling in my fingers and toes. My guide covers me with a plastic tarp and offers to carry my pack, but I stubbornly refuse. Two hours later, the snow is still coming and we are still climbing. My body has started to lose all feeling and my muscles are going into spasms. Steps were small and extremely weak. At this point Francisco demands to take my bag and seeing as how I didn’t have the energy to fight, I gave in and removed my pack. Then the fog rolls in. We can barely make out the pass. At this point the snow has built up on the ground, meaning that we were unable to actually see our path… and it’s icy. Francisco takes my frozen hand and together we feel our way up the mountain, our feet occasionally slipping out from under us and causing a temporary sense of panic. I honestly felt like I was going to die. I was hallucinating and literally had no feeling left in my extremities. The wind was strong and my plastic cape was flapping around in the breeze. So my mind started to wander.
I started thinking about my Aunt Anne Marie. She was diagnosed with leukemia in May of 2004. The doctors all told her she had less than 6 months to live. She didn’t listen. Just thinking about her and her strength and her courage began to make me feel stronger. The feeling started coming back into my fingers and my legs started to move with more determination. We hiked for over 10 hours that day. Finally, we reached the top and like a cruel joke, the sun burst through the clouds illuminating the amazing landscape around us. It was at this moment that I made a promise to myself that I would do something big for my aunt. Her strength is what gave ME strength. I had previously heard of Team in Training and decided then and there… that was what I was going to do... Challenge myself in a way I have never done before… and do it in honor of her. Well, I got back from my trek and went to the internet café and opened up my email only to find some very shocking and saddening news. My Aunt Anne Marie had passed away. Her last moments were on that very day that thoughts of her were giving me courage and determination.
It’s taken me a few years to get into a place where I feel like I am ready to train and make good on my promise. But the place is here and the time is now.
Okay, so now you are maybe wondering how does running a marathon coincide with cancer research? Easily… through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is an organization started in 1949 (60 years ago!) by a family struck hard by the death of their 16 year old son after his battle with leukemia, which was then considered a hopeless and 100% fatal diagnosis. But I won’t drone on about the details here. (You can check out their website www.lls.org to find out more) The Team in Training (TNT) is a program started much more recently in 1988. In the last 20 years, the TNT has helped prepare over 380,000 volunteer participants who have helped raise over $900 MILLION towards research to find a cure for various types of blood cancer.
By training (and completing) this marathon, I am becoming one of the thousands of participants nationwide to raise money for this unbelievably worthy cause… and YOU can help!! There are two ways to donate:
1. Check out my webpage (http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/rnrseatl09/jschanbacher) Here, you can view some of my progress as well as make a donation! You will receive a confirmation of your donation via email and I will be notified of your contribution as well.
2. Write a check payable to “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and send it to me at:
Johanna Schanbacher
3118 Eagle Dr.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(be sure to include your name and address)
I will gladly take donations after March 31st; however the sooner I meet my fundraising goal, the more energy I can put into preparing for the marathon!
Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure!
On behalf of myself and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I would like to thank you in advance for your donation and moral support!
~Johanna Schanbacher~
(Keep in mind, many businesses offer a “matching program” and will match a charity donation- see if yours is one- it’s an easy way to double your contribution… And PLEASE pass along my website to your friends and family. The more people involved the better!!)
Tax ID Number: 135644916
I am about to embark on what is probably going to be one of the most significant challenges in my life thus far… I am going to run a marathon. Not only that, but I am going to do this in conjunction with a goal of raising over $4,000.00 towards research to find a cure for cancer! I know… a marathon – 26.2 miles (42.2km) through the streets of downtown Seattle at the end of June. Really? Why?
Well, actually I am doing this for a couple of reasons. First of all, my life “to-do list”… you know, those things you have always told yourself that you are going to accomplish in this lifetime. Secondly, and much more importantly I am running this marathon in memory of my Aunt Anne Marie.
In October of 2005, I was on a solo trek in the Andes Mountains in Peru with only my guide, Francisco. The first few days were `normal`... we walked about 5 hours every day and we camped every night. The real test came on day 5. It started out like every other day... I ate a breakfast of hot porridge and spaghetti and we were off at a little before 7 in the morning. After about 20 minutes it started to rain… light at first, but progressively stronger. At this point, we were nearing a mountain pass at 16,000 ft. which meant that the rain was turning to snow. It’s freezing and within minutes everything I am wearing is soaked through and I am starting to lose feeling in my fingers and toes. My guide covers me with a plastic tarp and offers to carry my pack, but I stubbornly refuse. Two hours later, the snow is still coming and we are still climbing. My body has started to lose all feeling and my muscles are going into spasms. Steps were small and extremely weak. At this point Francisco demands to take my bag and seeing as how I didn’t have the energy to fight, I gave in and removed my pack. Then the fog rolls in. We can barely make out the pass. At this point the snow has built up on the ground, meaning that we were unable to actually see our path… and it’s icy. Francisco takes my frozen hand and together we feel our way up the mountain, our feet occasionally slipping out from under us and causing a temporary sense of panic. I honestly felt like I was going to die. I was hallucinating and literally had no feeling left in my extremities. The wind was strong and my plastic cape was flapping around in the breeze. So my mind started to wander.
I started thinking about my Aunt Anne Marie. She was diagnosed with leukemia in May of 2004. The doctors all told her she had less than 6 months to live. She didn’t listen. Just thinking about her and her strength and her courage began to make me feel stronger. The feeling started coming back into my fingers and my legs started to move with more determination. We hiked for over 10 hours that day. Finally, we reached the top and like a cruel joke, the sun burst through the clouds illuminating the amazing landscape around us. It was at this moment that I made a promise to myself that I would do something big for my aunt. Her strength is what gave ME strength. I had previously heard of Team in Training and decided then and there… that was what I was going to do... Challenge myself in a way I have never done before… and do it in honor of her. Well, I got back from my trek and went to the internet café and opened up my email only to find some very shocking and saddening news. My Aunt Anne Marie had passed away. Her last moments were on that very day that thoughts of her were giving me courage and determination.
It’s taken me a few years to get into a place where I feel like I am ready to train and make good on my promise. But the place is here and the time is now.
Okay, so now you are maybe wondering how does running a marathon coincide with cancer research? Easily… through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is an organization started in 1949 (60 years ago!) by a family struck hard by the death of their 16 year old son after his battle with leukemia, which was then considered a hopeless and 100% fatal diagnosis. But I won’t drone on about the details here. (You can check out their website www.lls.org to find out more) The Team in Training (TNT) is a program started much more recently in 1988. In the last 20 years, the TNT has helped prepare over 380,000 volunteer participants who have helped raise over $900 MILLION towards research to find a cure for various types of blood cancer.
By training (and completing) this marathon, I am becoming one of the thousands of participants nationwide to raise money for this unbelievably worthy cause… and YOU can help!! There are two ways to donate:
1. Check out my webpage (http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/rnrseatl09/jschanbacher) Here, you can view some of my progress as well as make a donation! You will receive a confirmation of your donation via email and I will be notified of your contribution as well.
2. Write a check payable to “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and send it to me at:
Johanna Schanbacher
3118 Eagle Dr.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(be sure to include your name and address)
I will gladly take donations after March 31st; however the sooner I meet my fundraising goal, the more energy I can put into preparing for the marathon!
Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure!
On behalf of myself and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I would like to thank you in advance for your donation and moral support!
~Johanna Schanbacher~
(Keep in mind, many businesses offer a “matching program” and will match a charity donation- see if yours is one- it’s an easy way to double your contribution… And PLEASE pass along my website to your friends and family. The more people involved the better!!)
Tax ID Number: 135644916
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