I did it!

On Friday morning Mark and I headed off to the airport, to catch our flight to sunny San Fransisco. The captain on the Air Canada flight gave a shout out to everyone on board involved with team in training. It was very much appreciated because we all worked really hard to get to that point. Five long months of training and fundraising.

When we got to the hotel we checked in, had lunch and headed to union square to pick up my race kit. The race kit was pretty good, some surprising items, like coffee. We walked around the expo and then headed to a sight seeing bus to see San Fran.

Here's some of what we saw.

Saturday night, the night before the big race there was a team in training inspiration dinner. I'm not going to lie I was completely over whelmed. From the moment we walked into the building there were hundreds of people just cheering. This continued all the was down the escalators right to the buffet line. There were some great speakers and stories.

After the dinner I went back to the hotel to get everything ready for the next morning. I was a tad nervous and didn't sleep that much and was wide awake when my alarm went off. I had brought instant oatmeal to make in the coffee maker to eat before the race.

I met the team in the lobby and we walked over to the starting line together. we were there was too early and were standing waiting for over an hour before we actually crossed the starting line.

When my feet crossed that starting mat it was on, I took off! you can check out the professional photos here

It was a packed, tough and beautiful course. I felt like I was running and playing a game of frogger. There were a lot of walkers in front of me, which would be okay if they didn't walk five across. I stayed steady through the hills and the whole course. My ultimate goal would have been to finish my half marathon in under two hours, but I knew that wasn't realistic with the over 2000 feet inclines/declines. My goal time going in was under two and a half hours. Well I'm proud to say my chip time was 2:09:54.

It was great to have Judy, one of the TNT coaches run with me for a little bit, and to see Tiffany and Mark cheering me on down by mile 10. As I turned the corner and saw the finish line I booted it. There was a fire fighter in a tuxedo waiting to give me my Tiffany's finisher necklace. The finish line was really organized and after picking up all my swag I headed down to the TNT tent to stretch and pick up some more food. I had told Mark to meet me there. When I found him, he took these photos.

After these pictures I went down to the beach and went into the ocean. First I went into the water by accident, but then took my shoes off and went in up to my legs. It was a nice ice bath. My feet were sore, but the ocean seemed to do the trick!

The finisher necklace says "I run to be" and there's a spot to get in engraved. I'm still trying to figure out what to put, if you have any suggestions please let me know.

This was an amazing experience for me! I'm honoured I got to complete this run in honour of my mother in law. It was a challenge, but I did it!

Thank you!

Will I get to run?

I know I haven't blogged in a while, I haven't had a lot to say. So imagine my surprise when checking twitter I see that Air Canada Flight Attendants have given strike notice for October 13th. I'm scheduled to fly out with team in training for my first ever half marathon on October 14th.

I've just been getting over my omg I'm terrified for this race phase and into my omg I get to go to San Fransisco phase. Right now as I write this I have no clue if I'll be running, I'm not to optimistic at this point as I can't be flexible on flight dates. It will be beyond disappointing if I don't get to run as I won't be able to reschedule for another event as I won't have any vacation time. I've also been running my heart out, and although I've accomplished distances and times I never thought was possible I had a mission, and one I planed on conquering.

I know this blog post has been kind of run on and all jumbled up, but right now it expresses my opinions, and emotions.

Thanks for your support as always,

Stephanie

Am I Insane?

I'm getting really excited and gearing up for my first ever half marathon. Last week at my boot camp toning class I was the only one to show up and had lots of time to chat with my trainer. I asked him if I was insane to do my first half marathon in San Fransisco. He said yeah kinda, but it's good to challenge yourself. That's what this half marathon will be a HUGE challenge. I was always concerned with the fundraising aspect, but now I'm started to become nervous about the running, and the hills.

I asked my trainer what a reasonable time goal would be. I'm really focused on the number and want to challenge myself and do the best I can. He asked what my goal would be if the course was flat. I said I'd want to do it in two hours or less. He told me to add thirty minutes to account for the hills. To me personally two hours and thirty minutes seems really long. I know I have to be proud to just accomplish and finish this race, but I also really want a good time.

I was google mapping out the race to see the hills and elevation, and I'm scared. It's always good to have some nerves before a race it can help, but hopefully doing hill repeats this week will help build my confidence!

In other running news I ran 26.89km on Friday, 12km of that in the pouring rain. That's the furthest I've ever run. I did it just to prove I could. So naturally now I'm going to get a pretty new running outfit from lululemon... anything my heart desires!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

I guess I'm a runner....

Today on a lovely Sunday run with my friend Jenn we got to talking about how I started running and my feelings on running then. It was almost two years ago that I started running. I joined a learn to run clinic with the running room. I would go out and practice running one minute running one minute walking, building up to running ten minutes and walking one minute. I use to go over to the track to run, because I was worried about looking like a fool walk/running through the streets.

I remember running around the track thinking I don't know how people do this? I don't think I will ever do a 10km race, I don't know how people run for an hour. Two 10km races later I thought I'll never do anything longer than a 10km I don't know how people run for that long. Now having run a 15km race, and having run 21 and 23 kilometers I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to want to do a marathon.

Now I've always said running a marathon is my definition of insane, but at the same time I've had a personal goal of running a marathon on the great wall of China (go big or go home).

This week I want to go run 25km just to prove I can do it. My reward will be some new work out clothes, and maybe a running skirt!

Today it finally hit me.... I guess I've become a runner....

Fundraising thus Far

With 35 days left until my big race I thought I'd take some time and update you on my fundraising progress. There are several people that without their support this race would not be a reality for me.

My biggest donor has been my parenting weighing in at a whooping $900. Both my parents made donations, then my dad gave me $50 of loose change. They topped off their donations with selling a set of car tires they no longer needed and donating the profits. Part of me thinks they donated soo much because they didn't think I could do it on my own. I'm happy to have their support and happy that because of it I will be able to run my heart out!

My cousin Alex is another huge supporter! She held a loose change fundraiser on my behalf and vowed to match donations up to $100. She did amazing, asking co-workers, friends, family and strangers for donations tipping the scale at $243.43. Her donation was the one that put me over my fundraising minimum of $3500.

As you know my fundraising events didn't go very well, and I wasn't able to actually be successful with any of them. I'm thankful for everyone that sponsored me. From $1 to $900 I appreciate every single donation. Its helped restore my faith in people and help me know that I can do this race!

If you were considering sponsoring me and haven't yet, please do, there's still time!

Each dollar you sponsor keeps me running! And run I do! 23km on Saturday afternoon!

Thanks, as always for your support!

Stephanie

Weekend Update

Hey guys,

I wanted to update you on how I'm doing. I'm doing really well. As I've mentioned before my cousin Alex was hosting a fundraiser for me. She had a bucket at her desk at work and asked for loose change from friends, co-workers, family and strangers! She did AMAZING! She managed to collect $173.43 in change.... in change! That's pretty freaking amazing. The best part was she agreed to match up to $100 so the grand total was $273.43!!! I'm really thankful for all Alex as done, it really means a lot!

My mother in law also dropped off a bag of change she didn't think it'd be much but it was $26.50. If anyone has change they want to get rid of, I'll gladly take it, and add it to a great cause!

Now that I've surpassed $3500, I'm trying to get up to $4000 or above, so keep the love and support coming!!

My running is coming along, but I have a confession, I've been getting my miles in but I haven't been doing hills. My goal for the week is hills! I need to get them in now so that it makes my race easier. You can't cram hill training I know, but I'll do my best to get more in.

I find I'm really getting into a groove when I'm running, and I'm *gasp* starting to love it. I'm becoming a runner.. and saving lives!

Thanks as always for your support.

Stephanie

Update

Wow! I haven't blogged in a while, but at last I am blogging instead of lying in bed, that's commitment! Ever since I signed up with team in training my biggest fear and concern was fundraising. I didn't know if I could do it, it really seemed like an impossible task. I'm happy to report I'm gonna destroy my fundraising minimum and decided to raise my goal up to $4000. Now I'll be the first to admit if my parents didn't donate $900 I wouldn't be this far ahead. But what can I say they hate cancer!

I have two fundraising events this weekend and would love your help/support! On Saturday I have a tag day. That's where I stand outside of the LCBO at Eglinton and Laird and ask people for money. I'm not sure how it will go but I need people to help me! I can't/don't want to do it alone! On Sunday I'm having a loose change party, I'm not sure if anyone will show up, even my husband RSVP'ed maybe, but maybe a person or two will show up. I'd love to show off my condo and amazing roof top patio, so hit me up if you want the details!

On Saturday I went out for a morning run and ran 21km. I'm shocked, it wasn't hard, it wasn't difficult, it was nice. I am shocked to say I actually enjoyed it. I may be a runner....

That's all for now, but I hope to see you on the weekend!

Thanks, as always for your support!

Stephanie

Jack Layton: A Remarkable Man

Today Canada lost a remarkable man. Where we may not have the same views or agree on policies, one thing we can all agree on is Jack Layton changed the face of Canadian politics. He lead with passion and integrity. I'd like to share part of his final letter.

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

I'm $433.78 away from my fundraising goal!!

Thanks as always for your support.

Stephanie

Mid Summer Night Run

This was a really busy weekend for me. I was volunteering with Can Fit Pro at their annual fitness professional conference and I also ran my first 15km race. I'm exhausted!! I'm also up to $2900 in fundraising, which means $600 left to go. If you haven't sponsored me yet and were thinking about it, now's the time!!

I learned at a lot at the conference and really need to start following my passion. I have a couple of ideas I'm thinking about, I just have to believe in myself and go for it. I've never seen so many fit people in one room ever it was great! Also Richard Simmons was there and did a work out, I have video I should post it on you tube. Patrick House from the Biggest Loser was also there. I did a bosu ball, and trx work shop all before running the 15 km race... crazy!

The mid summer night race was hot, humid and hard, but I have a new personal best 1 hour and 23 minutes. I ran with my aunt Cathie, she pushes me and I LOVE running with her. I was wearing my team in training shirt, and had soo many people cheer me on with "go team!" most of them being fellow runners. My marathon running aunt was surprised how many people cheered go team, she thought it was great!

Here are some pictures from the race!

You can check out more photos here!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Sunday Update and GTS

First of all I want to say Saturday I ran 17km, it's the furthest I've ever run!!! What an accomplishment! I went to the group training session with team in training. I thought I'd be super late because the subway wasn't working, but the ttc was super organized and the transfer from the subway to shuttle bus was seamless! The run was a great route through the belt line, a park and even the cemetery. The great part is having people to run with who haven't ever run 17km and completing it together. Let me tell you that was an amazing feeling! I rewarded myself with a freshly squeezed juice, it was awesome!

Now onto the part that terrifies me... the fundraising. I have committed to raising at least $3500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If I don't hit $3500 by end of day September 8th, then the remainder will be charged to my Visa. I'm not going to lie this is terrifying to me. My hours are being cut again at work, conveniently on September 12th so I don't have the extra money to pay off that visa bill, so I need to get serious and really buckle down and call the people who said they will sponsor me.

This brings me to my next challenge I need to raise $40 a day for the next 25 days to bring me up to my fundraising minimum. Please help me with this. If you were thinking of sponsoring but haven't yet please do! Please also share this with family, friends, co-workers, strangers on the street.. EVERYONE!!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Where does the Money Go?

You here a lot about charities spending most of their donations in administration costs. Team in training is not like that. 75% of what you donate goes right to research and patient services. That money is not wasted either, I want to share another good news discovery!

This article can be found here

Breakthrough’ method rids patients of advanced cancer

In what is being hailed as a potential cancer breakthrough, three men suffering late-stage leukemia have been cured using their own, genetically reprogrammed immune systems.

The technique transforms blood-borne T-cells into “serial killers” that hunt down and obliterate cancer cells, leaving healthy tissue unharmed, according to a pair of studies published simultaneously in two prominent journals.

“I’m getting goosebumps,” says University of Pennsylvania pathologist Michael Kalos, lead author of one of the studies.

“The promise of this is profound. If this repeats in more patients . . . it shows that we can, with amazing effectiveness, blow away cancer cells,” Kalos said in an interview.

Two studies describing the process were released Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine and Science Translational Medicine.

“For the field of immune therapy it’s a really exciting advance,” says Pamela Ohashi, head of immune therapy at the Ontario Cancer Institute.

“It actually provides a new way to manipulate the immune system,” Ohashi says.

Although it takes in only three patients, Ohashi says the results presented were so robust they should send excitement throughout her field.

Kalos explains that the technique works much like a vaccine, training the immune system to target cancer cells, just as inoculations coax it to fight off viruses.

To do this, researchers isolated immunological T-cells from the blood of the three leukemia patients and genetically reprogrammed them using a virus vector that inserted a new gene into their DNA.

This gene coaxed the T-cells to create an antibody — known as chimeric antigen receptor or CAR — that would specifically target structures on the surface of cancer cells.

The newly armed T-cells were then injected back into the respective patients where they sought out and bound themselves to the cancer cells and killed them.

More importantly, however, the reprogrammed hunters caused other T-cells to multiply each time they attacked, creating more killers with each slain cancer cell.

“Within three weeks the tumours had been blown away, in a way that was much more violent than we ever expected,” Dr. Carl June, a senior study author, said in a statement.

“In addition to an extensive capacity for self-replication the infused T-cells are serial killers. On average each infused T-cell led to the killing of thousands of tumour cells,” said June, a University of Pennsylvania pathologist.

It’s estimated the scant number of T-cells originally injected into the patients killed more than two pounds of tumour cells in each of the men, whose blood and bone marrow were replete with cancer.

After a year, microscopic analysis of their blood could find no trace of cancerous cells, Kalos says.

“I am still trying to grasp the enormity of what I am part of and of what the results will mean to countless others with (leukemia) or other forms of cancer,” one of the patients, none of whom were named, said in a written statement.

Kalos says it appears that, like a vaccine, the T-cells also left the patients with a lingering protection, which would reactivate the immunological attack if cancer returned.

“If leukemia does come back, those T-cells (appear to be) armed and ready to eliminate it,” he said.

Each of the men had been suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a slow-acting form of the blood ailment that can linger for years before radical therapies like marrow transplants become necessary.

But Kalos says there is no reason to think the killer T-cell therapy would not work on more lethal “hard tumour” cancers like breast, prostate or lung.

He says each type of cancer cell has unique surface structures that T-cells could be similarly reprogrammed to hone in on.

“You can target prostate cancer, for example, by targeting any of the surface molecules that have been shown to be present on prostate cancer,” Kalos says.

Researchers have attempted to use modified T-cells to fight cancer in several previous trials, but always with lacklustre results.

Kalos says he does not know why his team’s attempt appears to have worked, but he suspects the unique lentivirus used to insert the modifying genes played a role.

“This seems to be a novel approach to harnessing the power of the patient’s own immune system to battle Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and perhaps other related leukemias,” says Dr Michael Wosnick, head of research with the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Although the initial study was limited to 3 patients, this may pave the way for better treatments of these diseases, and that is of course what we all want to see,” he said via email.

The researchers could only treat three patients because they ran out of the virus, which was derived from HIV.

Kalos says the team has managed to acquire more of the virus — which cost $250,000 for the first three treatments — and will begin new trials in the coming months.

What a breakthrough!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Run as though your life depends on it

I love this video. Although it's not not for team in training, it's a great reminder of the good the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does.

Michael C. Hall says in the video "Walk as though your life depended on it because somebody's does" I'd love to change that quote to "run as though your life depended on it because somebody's does" Although my t-shirt slogan would be shortened to "I run because life's depend on it"

Enjoy the video!



Thanks as always for your support,

Stephanie

Amazing E-mail

I want to share with you an amazing e-mail I received from my cousin Alex!

Hello Team DK!

Some of you may be wondering why there’s a green pail on my desk with a sign, “Spare Change for Stephie” on it. Maybe you haven’t noticed. Either way I’m about to explain it.

My dear cousin Stephanie has been training all summer to run a Half Marathon this fall with Team in Training. Team in Training are an organization who sign you up for a race and help you with your training…in exchange you raise a shitton of money for them, with all money going to fight blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Stephanie’s mother in law has been battling lymphoma for years and she figures if Lynne can do that, she can totally train for and run a half marathon.

Stephie’s committed to raising $3500. She’s at 70% of her goal right now. My goal is to raise $100 for her by the time I see her on Saturday. I’d love to present her with a big ol’ bucket of change.

So stop by my desk and empty your pockets. For every coin you drop in you can shoot me with Spiderman’s Web or get a free hug.

Oh, and I’m matching donations (up to $100) so if you drop a loonie in my bucket, that’s actually a toonie.

Love you all.

Alex.

xoxo

Anyone else want to make my day, week, month?

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Saturday Group Training Session

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a morning person. I hate the mornings and am usually pretty grumpy in the mornings. I don't really snap out of mornings until around 11am, or a couple of coffees! So joining team in training morning run sessions is not an easy thing for me. They start at 7:30am... on a Saturday... I don't even wake up that early for work. Now I had been working the past several Saturdays but now that I don't work Saturdays I have to drag my butt out of bed and go.

This morning I set my alarm to go off at 6:25am, when it went off I set it to snooze until 6:35. Then I got out of bed and said if it's raining I'm staying home, but the sun was shining. I got ready ate breakfast and left. I got outside and had forgotten my coffee so I went back to get it. Then I headed out to wait for the streetcar.

Now I was wearing my team in training shirt, my fuel belt and an amazingly stylish hat. A guy came up to me on the streetcar to ask if I was running with the group today. So we walked down to the park together and then got flagged down by another girl looking for where the group was meeting. You're never alone when you're in your team in training shirt!

The run was nice, an area of the city I've never been to. Not a lot to see, but flat and no lights. A nice easy early morning 11km run!

Here's a photo I took during the run

Maybe when I'm done training I'll become a runtographer. Just go for runs around the city taking pictures, much like runners at the Toronto Zoo run!

After coming home from the group training session I grabbed some food, changed my socks and headed to the gym. I did upper body weights and then a yoga class. I do feel sorry for people at the gym, I'm pretty sure I smelled. Oh well that's the smell of kicking cancer!

What a morning! Now on to fill out my recommitment papers for my race!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Loose Change Adds Up!

As I had mentioned earlier my wonderful cousin had offered to host a fundraiser for me to help kick blood cancers. She is going to be shameless and ask people for change, because as you know loose change can really add up! She's going to be continuing all next week and hopes to help add $100 to my fundraising total!

After hearing about this I threw out a challenge to have family and friends to ask people for loose change to help add towards my fundraising total. For the month of August I would like anyone who can to add a coin jar to their desk at work to please do so. Or if you're able to ask friends, and family for loose change that would be awesome too!

I am offering a prize for whoever can bring in the most money from loose change and let me tell you it will be epic, well maybe not epic but not lame I promise! But you better get started I hear Alex is already up to $15!!

So get started, ask family, friends, co-worker, strangers on the subway and help me with the last $1000 of my fundraising mission.

Together we can do it!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Great Article

Hey guys, I know I haven't blogged lately, but I wanted to share this wonderful article. Keep the donations coming so that there's more good news like this!

Scientists at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), including several from Simon Fraser University, have uncovered information that could help oncologists prevent Canada’s fifth most common cancer from even gaining a foothold in people.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) affects 7,700 Canadians. In B.C. alone, more than a thousand people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year.

A team of 50 BCCA scientists discovered 109 genes with recurring mutations while sequencing the whole genomes of more than 100 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumours. They identified 26 of the repeatedly mutated genes as contributors to NHL based on their mutation patterns.

Prior to this study, no one knew that more than two-thirds of the newly identified mutated genes were linked to lymphoma.

The journal Nature has published online this massive cancer-sequencing study, which flags two of the newly discovered lymphoma-related genes as being particularly noteworthy. It highlighted MLL2 as potentially the most commonly mutated gene in NHL as it is mutated in 89 per cent of Follicular lymphoma patients.

The study suggests mutations that inactivate MLL2, which normally appears to function as a tumour suppressor gene, enables cancer cells to grow rapidly, despite the body’s regulatory mechanisms.

A second novel gene discovery, MEF2B, bears a so-called hot spot mutation pattern reminiscent of oncogenes, another class of cancer genes.

“The mutated genes discovered should enable the design of new tests to recognize subtypes of lymphoma,” explains Angela Brooks-Wilson, one of the BCCA scientists on this study. Also an associate professor of biomedical physiology and kinesiology at SFU, Brooks-Wilson adds: “The findings may help us predict how individual lymphoma tumours will react to different treatments.”

Medical oncologists hope the newly discovered treasure trove of genetic information will advance clinical and research collaboration on preventing the growth of NHL.

“This wealth of new genetic clues will help us create new drugs and identify existing ones that can inhibit these mutant genes,” says Steven Jones, a professor of molecular biology and biochemistry (MBB) at SFU. “The pattern of mutations discovered may become ideal targets for existing therapies.”

Ryan Morin, a researcher at the BC Cancer Agency, is the first author of this study. Among the other three BCAA scientists involved who teach and conduct research in MBB at SFU are: Rob Holt, Martin Hirst and the study’s leader Marco Marra.

As always, thanks for your support!

Stephanie

The Week In Review

I signed up for dailymile.com, as a way to track my running. I also like that other runners comment on my runs and give me encouragement. This past week has been a good running week. I've run five times this week, and wanted to share my daily mile running stats with you!

Total Distance (mi)
24.51

Total Calories
3193

Total Time
04:07

Workouts
5

Pretty awesome if you ask me! This week I plan to go to the gym, do hill training, bootcamp, yoga and of course a couple of runs!

As always thanks for your support and donations, I can't do this without you!

Stephanie

Personal Best & Amazing Family

My bootcamp trainer sent us all out an e-mail telling us that we needed to have a goal for each week. He told us we needed to e-mail him our goal before our first class of the week. If we didn't have a goal, don't come to class, it's that simple. My goal for this week was something that I've wanted to do for a while, run 5km in 25 minutes or better. I decided Friday night would be the time to complete this goal.

I went down to the gym about 9pm, cause I'm cool like that, warmed up and got ready to tackle this goal! I'm not going to lie, I thought I was going to die, and was really worried I was going to vomit, but I did it! The treadmill works in miles so it was 3.12 miles in 24.55 minutes. I'm super proud and am going to add in some speed work into my running training so I can keep getting faster! I've come a LONG way in less than two years of running!!

This week I got a tweet from my wonderful cousin telling me that next week she's going on a fundraising mission for me! She's going to try and get some loose change and donations to help me with my fundraising. I'm soo excited and it means a lot to me. My mother in law also told me that her brother is asking people at work for donations. That got me thinking. I can't fund raise at work, it's against my code of ethics, but some of you can!

Inspired by my cousin Alex, I'm going to hold a fundraising contest. I would like people who can to take a jar or container to work, or ask friends and family for change. Loose change can really add up and kicking cancer is an amazing cause!

So anyone who hosts a loose change or any other fundraiser on my behalf in the month of August will be entered to win a prize. I don't know what the prize will be yet but rest assured it will rock! If you need jars, stickers or anything from me let me know. Alex already has a head start so get going!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

Hill Training

So tonight was the first night of hill training with team in training. After work I headed to High Park to meet the group. Now I don't go to High Park often aka never so naturally I got lost. Luckily I was wearing my team in training shirt and ran into Mark, also wearing his team in training shirt. Judy one of the coaches had flagged him down and told him which way to go. By the time I got to the meeting location I felt like I had already done my workout. Also I wore pants.. what was I thinking? Now last night I went to the gym and did lower body weights. This isn't something I usually do as I run, I normally just do upper body at the gym. This resulted in me being very sore this morning.

Sore + Hot + Hills = UGH!

But it can only get better right? We did a warm up, about 2km, and then went to the hill. We were supposed to do three hill repeats, I ended up doing four. I dread what my body will feel like tomorrow. I have boot camp tomorrow so I hope I'm not too sore.

I'm getting close to recommitment so if you were thinking about sponsoring me but haven't yet, please do!

As always thanks for your support!

Stephanie

Cross Training

I am training for a half marathon but it's important to have variety in your workouts, and to cross train. For almost two years now I'm been doing a bootcamp class one day a week. It's a hard work out, but I show up and don't have to think about anything other than completing the exercises. Sometimes when I go to the gym I hate thinking about what exercise I'm going to do next. It's nice to show up and know you're going to get your butt kicked. Here's a video that gives you an idea about the bootcamp I go to.



I also like doing weight training as well and try to do weights at least once a week. Either at the gym in condo or the gym I have a membership to. Having lean muscle can help with running and staying strong.

Yoga is also important. It helps improve your immune system, your flexibility and breathing. So important when you're marathon training. Yoga is something I need to get back into. I'm hoping to add in yoga once a week to my very busy schedule. It would be well worth it!

Do you cross train? What do you do? I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks for your continued support.

Stephanie

Saturday Run

I was supposed to go to the group training session on Saturday morning. I was having trouble getting to sleep Friday night and slept through my alarm Saturday morning. I'm really not a morning person. So I went off to do my Saturday run on my own. My training plan had me running 9km, and the marathon group running 13km. I decided I could do the 13km, and mapped out the massive route.

Here's me before the run:

The run was hard it was hot and humid. I run 10 and 1's but had to take an extra walk around the 6.5km mark. I also find it hard to run with the fuel belt, the extra weight bothered me. I guess it takes getting use to. The water also heated up very quickly!

Here's me after the run:

Just a little red, and sweaty! My arms are still sore from boot camp on Thursday, I blame the 21 chin ups I did!! My body needs a rest day, so I'm off to my parents for a pool day!

I hope all is well, and as always thanks for the support!

Stephanie

Friday Update

I thought that I'd update everyone on my progress thus far on my fundraising mountain. I'd have to say that I'm doing pretty well. I'm up to $2,236.22 please someone sponsor me $3.78 I don't like these uneven numbers!!

Recommitment is 17 days away on August 8th. It's a scary thought for me because it means I'm committing to raising these funds and will have to pay the difference if I don't. That's a scary scary thought, but with these numbers I starting to believe in myself and know it's actually possible!

My goal is to get to $2500 by recomittment and then up to $3000 before minimum fundraising date which is September 9th. That's the scary date, when the rest of the funds get charged to my credit card.

If you've already sponsored thank you! If you were thinking about it, I'd encourage you to go for it! No donation is too small, and no donation too large. Every donation brings us closer to finding a cure, so no one has to suffer through medication and chemotherapy.

Thanks for your support!

Stephanie

Motivation and Accountability

The reason most people fail with exercise or diets is the lack of motivation and accountability. With my running I have no problem with motivation. I'm completing my half marathon for my mother in law. I'm running and raising funds to help cure blood cancers, something my mother in law has been battling for the past ten years. I run with a purpose which always helps keep me on track.

As for accountability I really lucked out finding two wonderful ladies who are also training for races. We tweet each other after we work out to make sure we've done the work outs we set out to complete that week. It's motivation and accountability. I love getting their tweets to know what they've been up to, and I love sending them back good job tweets!

I have found to be successful with fitness I need motivation and accountability. What works for you?

I want to leave you with a video of a real hero. This is why I run, children shouldn't have to battle cancers, they should enjoy being kids! It doesn't let me add the video here, but please click the link below!

Little girl wages a big fight against childhood cancer - CityNews

As always thanks for your support!

Stephanie

Bone Marrow Registry

There's lots you can do to help people with blood cancers. Of course you can sponsor me for my first ever half marathon. 75% of all the funds I raise go directly towards helping cure blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. But there's something else you can do that costs nothing and can help save a life. Add yourself to the bone marrow registry. In Canada One Match is in charge of the registry.

I encourage all of you to read up on the requirements to become a donor. Here are some of them:

You may be eligible to join if you are between 17 and 50 years old and meet certain health criteria.

Health problems that could make you ineligible include some heart conditions, cancer, blood diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C.

There are also height and weight restrictions in place to protect both donors and recipients. People who do not meet the program's height/weight criteria may be at a higher risk when undergoing surgery.

A person's best chance of finding a matching donor is within his or her own ethnic group, As such, it is important that the donors on OneMatch reflect Canada's rich ethnic diversity. It is also important for the future of OneMatch to attract young donors.

Please visit One Match to find out more, and if you qualify sign up for the registry. You could save a life!

Here are the diseases treated with stem cells and bone marrow:
Specific forms of cancer:
º Leukemias
º Lymphomas
º Myeloma
•Bone marrow deficiency diseases caused by abnormal red blood cell production, such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease
•Aplastic Anemia which is the lack of normal blood cell production
•Immune system disorders (immunodeficiencies)
•Metabolic Disorders

Let me know if you sign up! As always thanks for your support!

Stephanie

Loose Change

I'm sure everyone has a jar or container like this:

It empties your pockets, and collects your loose change. But what do you do with it? I remember when Mark and I moved in I found his large container of loose change rolled it and banked about $70 towards our move. So what am I asking? I'm asking for your loose change. Help me fill up this huge glass, or send me your already filled glass. I will roll up the money and add it right to my fundraising total! Help me get to my next milestone, $2500, one penny at a time!!!

I'm also currently working on my personal training website. I'm still looking for a part time job at a club, but most clubs are looking for full time and that's just not right for me right now. If anyone's good at website design and wants to barter for personal training let me know! Once it's up and running I'll share it with y'all. The plan is to donate 10% of my earnings from this new venture directly to my fundraising.

Thanks again for all your support!

Stephanie

Happy Friday!

I can't believe just over a week ago I was soo frustrated with my fundraising and I wasn't sure I could do it anymore. My frustration turned into action and support and over $500 in donations in a week. That includes four yes four $100 donations!!! I think the overall result of my "Kindness of Strangers" Campaign is that it encouraged friends and family that hadn't sponsored to step up, and maybe even donate more than they would of!

With that in mind, I'm going to continue my Kindness of Strangers Campaign for this week as well. What that means is anyone who donates a minimum of $2.11 this week (July 15th- 22nd) will be entered to win a personal training session or customized work out plan (depending on your location) So keep tweeting, facebooking and sharing with your friends. Together with small donations we can help end blood cancers!

This morning I checked Facebook and team in training had Blue Jay's tickets for Blue Jay's vs the New York Rangers for tonight for the first person to show up at the office with a $100 donation. I got dressed and heading down to get them. I'll be in section 115, Row 15. The seats are amazing, my husband is thrilled! I'd be lying if I didn't say the fact they came in an envelope with an uncancelled stamp made my day!

So keep your donations coming and keep spreading the word, I'm looking for many small donations of $2.11 I'm at 60% of my goal, it's the home stretch!!!

Thanks guys!

Stephanie

Kindness of Strangers Update

My kindness of strangers campaign is now over, but that doesn't mean you still can't donate $2.11. From now until my race on Oct. 16th, 2011 I'd love to keep getting donations from strangers. It keeps me going to know that people I don't even know care enough to sponsor me and help a great cause!

I promised that I'd give away a customized work out plan to a person who donated during this campaign. In total I received $209.22 in donations. The winner of the customized workout plan goes to Carolyn. I'll contact her shortly to to make plans, and I'll let you know how it goes!

I received a $75 donation today which means I'm just $68.78 away from raising $2000. I really want to get to $2500 in order to be comfortable recommitting. Re-commitment is in August, so it's coming along quick. If you were thinking about donating but haven't yet please do! I'm going to send some reminders out to people who told me they were planning on donating.

LLSC Ontario Region Chapter has secured 100 tickets for the Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bays Rays game on Saturday August 27th at 1:00 p.m. at the Rogers Centre. Tickets are $20/adult and $10/kids 14 and under. A portion of each ticket sale is a donation to LLSC. All are welcome, so please ask your friends and family. Seats are in the section 527 (between the home plate and 3rd base)

It is a Jr. Jays Saturday, meaning there are plenty of activities for kids to participate, in one of them being they have the opportunity to run the bases after the game. If you'd like tickets or know of people who would please let me know. Part of the ticket price goes towards my fundraising, and part goes directly to LLSC.

That's it for today's update. I hope everyone's doing well.

Stephanie

Kindness of Strangers Part Two

Hey guys,

So far this weekend I've received $9.22 in donations from my "Can I count on the kindness of strangers" campaign. I feel like we could all do a little better. So I was thinking maybe I should sweeten the deal a little bit. Maybe if there's something in it for people they'd be more likely to donate.

So here's the deal. I'm going to extend the Kindness of Strangers Campaign until Tuesday at 5pm. Everyone who donates a minimum of $2.11 will be entered into a draw. The prize is a personalized work out plan created by me. I am a certified personal trainer. Depending on how well this works I might also add in some personal training sessions (for people in Toronto, would be able to exchange for work out plans if outside Toronto).

So change to the experiment... if there's potentially something in it for you, are you more likely to give? I hope so because I still have a fundraising mountain to climb and I need your help! Please share with friends, family, facebook, twitter, ect..

Thanks guys.

Can I Count on the Kindness of Strangers?

This weekend I am holding a social and fundraising experiment. Can I count on the kindness of strangers? As you can see from my last blog post I feel like I don't have enough friends to climb this fundraising mountain, so the plan, how many complete strangers can I get to donate $2.11 to my fundraising.
Why $2.11? It's 10 cents a kilometer. I want to be running my first half marathon and when I just think I can't run anymore think about the strangers that believe in me.

That's the mission and I hope you choose to accept it. It could be an epic fail, or it could shock me. But I do need your help! Please forward this to your friends and ask them to do the same. Let's see if we can still count on the kindness of strangers!

Update / Pity Party

Hey guys,

I know I'm horrible at updating my blog and I keep saying I'll try and do better but now that I have a fancy new desk set up in my fancy new condo maybe I actually will!

I spent the past week packing, moving and unpacking. It was a horrible exercise week. I manged one 7km run and an hour boot camp class. I have to do MUCH better this week. My plan is at least three runs, boot camp class, and some weights/toning or yoga class.

I'm not going to lie, I'm frustrated with my fundraising. It's not moving anywhere, and I feel like all my attempts are failing. At this point I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it to the fundraising minimum. In August we have to recommit to our fundraising. If we don't meet the minimum then we have to cover the rest. With my new condo that's just not a possibility. If my fundraising doesn't pick up, I'm going to have to do something I hate... quit.

If anyone has any tips or ideas for me let me know. I'm really surprised no one's interested in personal training. I feel like all my fundraising ideas are good on paper but are all epic fails....

Well that's the end of my pity party.

Stephanie

This Week!

Wowza, I didn't realize it's been a week since I blogged, I'll try to be more on the ball, but fair warning I'm moving next week.

This past week has been great. I went to the gym Tuesday night after work. Jumped on the treadmill did a 5km run, and then did some weights. Wednesday I pulled myself out of laziness and went for a 7km run after dinner. Thursday was wonderful, yoga at work, and then my killer (and I mean killer) boot camp class. Saturday I was able to make it to my second group run session with team in training. I think it is insane to get up at 6:30am to run, the people make all the difference. It was a wonderful 10km run along the belt line, which I've always wanted to run. Afterwards there was a brunch, the food was blah, but the company was great. We shared fundraising tips so hopefully I can keep on moving towards my goal. Sunday morning my cousin and aunt joined my run club as they were in town and we did an easy 6km. I think it's safe to say I earned eating out for dinner Friday and Saturday night!

Sunday after my run I checked my e-mail and had a new donation. I love all my donations they make me smile and put me in a great mood. This was however was special. It was $211. Maybe you have to be a runner to get it, but I was sponsored $10/km. How meaningful! Now when I don't want to continue anymore on race day I can remember this donation and the $10 that was given to help cure blood cancers for each kilometer I run.

I'm currently at $1631, but still have a long way to go. I'm still doing personal training sessions, and work out plans for fundraising. Also tomorrow's karma Tuesday and keeping in line with my Sunday donation, I'm hoping to raise $21 in dollar donations.

Thank you for your support, it helps me to keep on going!

Stephanie

Personal Training

I wanted to share some more details about my personal training fundraiser. I'm a certified personal trainer with Can Fit Pro and have Red Cross CPR level C and first aid. I started on my journey to healthy living almost two years ago. I have lost and kept off over 25 pounds, built muscle and become a runner. My journey has made me passionate about helping others live healthier lives.

Right before my practical exam for my certification, the examiner asked what my plans were and I proudly told her I was going to use my certification to help end blood cancers! I will be doing personal training sessions and creating workout plans until I raise $1000.

Here's the details:

I will travel in Toronto (must be ttc accessible) to your location, park,ect.
You can come to my condo gym (located in the St.Lawrence market area)
Minimum donation of $50 for a one hour personal training session.
Minimum donation of $75 for a custom workout plan plus a personal training session to go through the work out plan.

Contact me if you have any questions! Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested!

Thanks Everyone!

Personal Training

I hope everyone's doing well. I have some exciting news! I am now a certified personal trainer!! I'm extremely happy. In September 2009 I decided to get healthy, I never pictured myself almost two years later down 25 pounds and passionate about fitness.

I've run twice this week so far. 6.55km on Sunday with the "run club" I've created and again tonight just under 5km (it was soo humid!) I'm heading to the gym tomorrow after work and have boot camp on Thursday evening, so I'm in very good shape.

My fundraising is slowly coming along. The problem with my generation is we want everything this second. We're not patient people. I'm currently at $1120 which is 32% of my goal. I really want to be raising at least $300 a week. Slowly, but surly it will come.

My next fundraising event is personal training for a cause. Now that I'm certified I will be offering personal training sessions with 100% of the fee going towards my fundraising goal for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you're not able to meet up for a session I will also be designing work out plans. I would love to kick your butt and help end blood cancers! I'm going to try and earn $1000 with this fundraiser. Please contact me if you're interested!

Thanks again for all your support.

Stephanie

Why I Run

Virtual Running Program

Do you want to be a runner but just don't have the time? Stuck late at work and can't get out for a long run? Well there's no need to feel guilty anymore! You can have someone clean your house, cook dinner, why not run for you? Well now you can! That's right! I will complete your runs for you!

It's simple for a $10 donation per kilometer I will go out and complete your run. All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and can be made by clicking on the link at the left hand side of this site. It's easier than using a slap chop!

So what's in it for you? Besides helping to end blood cancers you will get a post similar to this one. It will include a picture of me post run, a map of the run I completed for you and a summary of the run.

Please note in the event of large generous donations I reserve the right to split up into small runs, each run will then get it's own post!

So let me do the running for you, but don't worry you'll get all the credit for the run! I run to raise funds to end blood cancers!

Saturday Update

I just wanted to update everyone on my running and fundraising progress. Saturday mornings are team in training group runs. They are at 7:30am. I am not a morning person, in fact I wake up at 7:23am to be at work for 8:30am. Getting sleep is more important then looking great for work. Well this morning got the better of me and I missed the group run, which is okay because I'm really not that pleasant in the morning. I knew I still had to go out for a run so I dragged my sister out and did a 7km run in 42 minutes. It felt great! I really love running. I also went for a 5.5km walk, so needless to say I'm exhausted!

My fundraising is coming along but I feel like I've hit a wall. I'm at $895, only $105 away from hitting $1000. I'm really hoping to hit that milestone by the end of the weekend. Of course I need your help! If you haven't already donated please consider a donation. Any amount is wonderful from one dollar to $500. If you've already donated thank you! I can't believe the kindness of people I've never met. It means a lot to me and my family. An artist from London England offered art to do an art show fundraiser. To bad it wasn't a local artist and being so far away it'd just be a logistical nightmare. As always if you have any fundraising ideas or tips please let me know!

Thanks for everything!!

Stephanie

It's Tuesday, Tuesday, Karma Tuesday!

Well it's that day of the week again, good karma Tuesday!! It's where I ask for one dollar donations to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission to end Blood cancers.

Last Tuesday, my first Karma Tuesday I raised $125. I didn't receive any dollar donations, my donors went above and beyond! The whole point of Karma Tuesday if that together donating something as small as one dollar is will add up and we can kick cancer to the curb!

My goal for today is to raise $20 in dollar donations. I'm really eager to get to 25% of my fundraising goal, which would be $55 more dollars, but I think with your support $20 is very attainable.

As always your support means the world to me and I'm really hoping today's karma Tuesday will be a huge success!

Sunday Run

I love Sunday morning runs. It's a wonderful way to start the day. There wasn't a group training session with team in training this week because of the long weekend, which was fine it was nice to sleep in on Saturday morning. I'm not going to be able to make a bunch of training sessions because of work, so I've started a Sunday morning training session. Right now it's me, my sister and our friend Jenn. I hope they will still be on board when the distances get bigger!

Today I decided I wanted to run 8km. Everyone has a base distance they like to run, and 8km is my base distance. It was warm but overcast, perfect for a run, and I felt great the whole time. At about 2km, I was into it having a great run. I could have probably run further, but I like having people to run with and my sister only wanted to run 5km.

Plans for this week include, Karma Tuesday, dollar donations for good karma! I also have a virtual running fundraiser and online garage/moving sale prepared so watch this space!

Thanks again for all your support!

Good Karma Tuesday's

So I've decided to try something. Every Tuesday I've decided to host what I call "Good Karma Tuesday's" I will ask for $1 donations towards my fundraising goal, in return you get to fill up your karma bank. I want to do this every Tuesday until I run my first half marathon on October 16th, 2011. My goal is $20/week which would be almost $500 by the time I run. See how one dollar can add up?

This Tuesday May 17th, was my first Karma Tuesday. I didn't know what to expect and it didn't go as I planned. I didn't receive any dollar donations, but did receive $125 in donations. That literally blew me away! With in one week I'm up to $770 in donations and at 22% of my goal. I still have a long way to go, but wowza it's starting to seem doable!

I'm hoping next week's Karma Tuesday will be a success and count on you to help me get the word out!

Well time to run, thanks for your support!

Group Training Session with Team in Training

Here I am after running 5km with the team in training crew. I've been running for over a year and a half now, so the 5km run wasn't a problem. However I'm not a morning person and waking up at 7am was challenging. When my alarm went off, I almost turned it off and went back to bed. But I'll admit it was nice to get in a run while most of the city was still in bed. I won't be able to make all the Saturday sessions because of work, so it was nice to make it out to the first one!

Here's the route we ran:

What is Team in Training?

Stephanie Runs!!

As many of you know, my mother-in-law, Lynne Xamin, has been battling lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) for the past 10 years. This is extremely hard on her and our entire family, yet she handles it with grace.

Inspired by her struggle, I have joined Team In Training and committed to training for (and running!) the Nike Women's half Marathon in San Francisco this fall in her honour. Team in Training is a fantastic organization that helps runners like me train to reach our goals and in the process raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I plan on using this blog to keep you updated on my training and my fundraising efforts. If you've already sponsored me thank you! If not tthere's still time!!

Please sponsor me and help cure blood cancers

Please sponsor me and help cure blood cancers