Go Team in Training! Let’s fight cancer.

I was super excited to receive an email from my LLS Team In Training Campaign Manager. Now, I have additional tools to fundraise and collaborate with fellow team members. This week, I wanted to share Yolanda’s story:

 

I started reading Marathon, The Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon. Great book! Thank you Chrissy for recommending and lending to me!

Finishing a marathon changes your life forever (Higdon, 2011, p.14).

What They Learned While Training:

Kenny Baldo of Manalapen, New Jersey, learned that he was not Superman and if he did not listen to his body, he would break down: “Running could be my kryptonite or it could be my salvation” (Higdon, 2011, p.57).

Kristine Nader of Chicago learned about herself: “I can do more than I ever thought I could” (Higdon, 2011, p.57).

Week 3/29-4/5 of training.

I had to cut my  training short this week to set up a meetings with my event sponsors and request gifts for the raffle that I can’t wait to reveal! Please stay tuned and save the following dates: Friday, 5/8 and Friday, 6/26.

1st Run –  Old Town Alexandria Pacers Fun Run, 4 miles.

 

Weekend Run – Delaware - Easter Sunday, 5 miles. I saw horses… it was amazing and had a blast with Brandon’s family. Life is good.

 

  

 

Easter in DE!

 

Fundraising.

Click here to make a donation OR click the LLS Team in Training logo/donate now link in the right pane of this blog.

Please share my blog link with anyone you know that can fill a state on my map... $1 could fill a state. I am going to fill each state on the map below and update on my blog as I receive support, so my blog followers can see my progress.

 

Thanks for following/sharing my blog! I need all the support I can get for this wonderful cause to fight against cancer. Please feel free to comment! I enjoy receiving your comments and suggestions. Have a great week everyone!

References:

Higdon, H. (2011). Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide Advice, Plan, and Programs for Half and Full Marathons. (4th ed.). (pp. 1-294). New York, NY: Runner's World, Rodale Inc.

Draw a map, find a path, take a breath, and run.

The headline this week describes my goal set. I stumbled upon this quote on Pinterest... my map, my path for this cause, is my training and fundraising goals. My motivation lies with those that have cancer, battling cancer now, and beat cancer.

This quote relates to a personal path in life as well. Sometimes in life we just need to breathe and do the best we can. Life is a blessing, but no one will say it is easy. There will be bumps in the road and all you can do is learn by continuing to strengthen ourselves no matter what comes across our path. I love running for this cause.

This is the beginning of my journey and I am already learning so much.  There is a new series on PBS this week called Cancer: The Emperor of all Maladies based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Siddhartha Mukherjee to learn more about the research being done.  Here is a preview into this series:

Week 3/22-3/29 of training.

1st run – Shirlington Pacers Fun Run, 3 miles. FYI… Shirlington Run Club has a great happy hour menu for run club participants after the run at Shirlington Bungalow Billiards.

2nd Run – Old Town, Alexandria Pacers Fun Run, 4 miles. My neighbor and I rewarded ourselves with Red Rocks Pizza!

Weekend Run – Jones Point Park Run, 5 miles. Will be running this route again, it was so beautiful!

 

 

 

 

About halfway through our run, we came across a beautiful shelf unit that was free to anyone that picked it up on Prince St. Furniture score! Only cost Brandon a completed 5 mile run and heavy lifting. :)

Brandon: I think they are giving away that shelf. Do you like it/want it?

Me: Yes! Let’s run home quick and get the car.

Grabbed the car and we are both excited that the furniture is still there even though it is not obvious at first glance.

Brandon lifting the furniture as I am navigating from the back seat.

Brandon:  Lesson learned… not to point out furniture to Kimberly or I will be moving it. :)

Me: Our first piece of furniture together, it’s going with us everywhere.  You’re the best honey! Love you.

Brandon: Sigh haha… love you too.

We relaxed after words by enjoying House of Cards and homemade lamb chops, ribs, baked potato, and spinach dinner! Naturally, he handled the meat and I prepped the veggies. Good end to the week.

Fundraising progress:

I have the club room at my building reserved for Friday, 5/8 and have another event being planned for Friday, 6/26. I will reveal the events and sponsor with further details in the upcoming months. Please stay tuned!

Please share my blog link with anyone you know that can fill a state on my map... $1 could fill a state. I am going to fill each state on the map below and update on my blog as I receive support, so my blog followers can see my progress.

Click here to make a donation OR click the LLS Team in Training logo/donate now link in the right pane of this blog.

Thanks for following/sharing my blog and have a great week! Also feel free to comment with any questions or suggestions.

 

Amazing things are happening...

Let's take a look at the video “Fire with Fire” for a glimpse.  This interview and clip tells the miracle story of Emma, a leukemia survivor, and the exceptional work of Dr. June’s team.

Not only is the work being done helping leukemia and lymphoma cancers, but this research will benefit all cancers. I am overwhelmed with excitement about the possibilities of a cure to fight cancer. When you have a moment, please take some time to watch the HBO Special Report – VICE: Killing Cancer Special at the end of this blog entry for further details on the research being done.

A look at my week of training... slowly, but surely.

Tuesday, 3/17 - Shirlington Pacers Run Club, 3 miles.

Beautiful day, but the wind was still pretty icy… had a great time with my girls.

Thursday, 3/19 - Old Town, Alexandria Pacers Fun Run, 4 miles.

Thanks for going the additional unexpected mile with me Sara B.!

 

 

Saturday, 3/21 - Delaware, 3.5 miles.

Brandon and I loved running the flat country roads… so quiet and peaceful with very few vehicles passing through. Nice change from the hustle and bustle of NOVA/DC.  We had a great time with the McCanns and the Malloys.  Activities included auctions, the Amish market, family dinner, and the Vietnam Vets of America Fried Oyster & Dumpling Dinner.  

Other than the snow we had on the first day of Spring (meh), it was a beautiful week for running. 

Sunday, 3/23 - Rested on Sunday, but sharing some news.

Great end to the weekend with family and friends. I received the honor of being the godmother to a beautiful baby boy, Andrew Matthew Fitzgerald (miracle baby and blessing), son of John and Sara Fitzgerald. Sara Fitzgerald, is my brave bestie that was first diagnosed with colon cancer the summer of 2012 and finished her last round of chemo March 2013. I was incredibly proud of her as I witnessed/supported her through a round of chemo and watched her kick cancer's ass. :) Andrew was born on October 30, 2014 and is perfect.

  

Fundraising progress.

I have raised $100, wahoo! A start. :) After collaborating with my amazing friend Ellen, the School and Youth Campaign Manager for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s NCA chapter and experienced with fundraising efforts,  I have some ideas in the bag.  The idea of reaching my goal is now less intimidating (fundraising part, not the marathon part haha) and seems less out of reach.

First, I decided to do a fun goal of trying to find support in all fifty states. With that said, please share my blog link with anyone you know that can fill a state on my map... $1 or more per state. Thanks Nicole and Brandon for filling VA!

I will be filling each state on the map below and update on my blog as I receive support, so my blog followers can see my progress.

 

Fun upcoming events.

Finally, please stay tuned! I plan on having some events this spring/summer towards the cause. I was thinking a happy hour raffle at a restaurant/bar, fun hosted wine give away/dinner, and wine glass painting event. If you have any additional ideas please comment here. Thanks!

Click here to make a donation OR click the LLS Team in Training logo/donate now link in the right pane of this blog.

VICE Season 3 Special Report: Killing Cancer (HBO) - Sharing via my friend Ellen Shannon.

Ok, so I've decided to commit...

I never thought I would be doing a marathon, but want to achieve this goal once in my lifetime. Crazy?! Maybe haha. If you had asked me a few years ago I would have responded with such... "no that is crazy... I'm not a runner" or even just a year ago I would have responded with "no I run to be healthy, maintain fitness goals, and would not want to injure myself by doing a marathon." However, nothing is out of reach with proper training and I BELIEVE I CAN DO THIS.

I first started running when I moved to beautiful Old Town Alexandria and my dear friend Nicole introduced me to the idea of going on runs with her and trying a race. I joined in fun runs at the run club at Pacers with some of my girlfriends and friends from my building, ran for fun with my love... smiling, and continued to participate in races. Every time I would complete a new race, Nicole would respond with "haha now you'll be ready for a 4 miler... 10k... 10 miler... half marathon etc. and chuckle when I would respond "haha nope, no way." I've been back and forth about participating, but what better time  to train then after completing my Master's in Cybersecurity and before I start a family of my own. I would love to achieve my once in a lifetime goal coupled with a chance to support an amazing cause to save lives.

I am participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training for the Marine Corps Marathon and need your support. Several people I know have battled cancer/kicked cancer's ass and personally saw a best friend go through beating cancer, so the idea of helping to fight cancer hits close to home. I am not keen on pressuring or soliciting family or friends for funds, so just want to mention that your support can be shown in many forms such as sharing my website/blog and no donation amount is too small. $5 could go towards this amazing cause to help raise funds for treatments that save lives every day; like immunotherapies that use a person's own immune system to kill cancer.

I will be documenting my training and fundraising efforts through this blog, so please check back from time to time. :)

I want to thank Ellen Shannon for first making me aware of this amazing cause while
participating in the Marine Corps Marathon 10k last year.

My fundraising website:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/corps15/KimberlyConway#My-Fundraising-Page

For more information about my Team in Training participation go to: http://www.teamintraining.org/

The breakdown of how much one donation of any size can help is listed below.

I will meet my $1500 fundraising goal if...
290 people donate $5 or
145 people donate $10 or
97 people donate $15 or
72 people donate $20 or
any variation of donations you feel comfortable with, every dollar helps!