Race Weekend (Friday, October 17): I Don't Recognize You With Hair

Race weekend began early on Friday morning. I arrived at the airport around 5:30 a.m.*, and I waited for a familiar face--and an unfamiliar face that was supposed to have my airline tickets, team jersey, and weekend itinerary. Being the Type-A+ personality that I am, not having every detail of my weekend laid out for me was a challenge. The first person I saw at the airport that I recognized was Heather (Silvey) Butner. She, too, was waiting for her tickets, jersey, and itinerary. Heather, like me, is a Type-A/planner.

Once we got our tickets from our race captain, our team members congregate at the gate for our flight to San Francisco. I met my roommate for the weekend, Ellen Gillespie-Miller. I had seen Ellen at a few of the team practices this summer, but I had not yet met her. She was going to be running her 8th full marathon, and her 6th as a member of a Team in Training Team. I was excited to be rooming with an experienced runner because I certainly had pre-race anxiety, despite knowing that with a broken foot, I wouldn't be setting any records. All my teammates at the airport were groomed and dressed in non-running garb, and there were certainly a few people who did not recognize me, as I was not in my trademark white Nike hat pulled low over my eyes and signature long run pigtails. I did, however, have a heavily-taped foot to protect those broken bones as best as possible until I saw my doctor after the race ended and I returned home.

I sat with Heather on the flight, and we gossiped the entire time much to the very visible displeasure of the other girl sitting in our row. She was quite upset that she couldn't sit with her boyfriend (on a full Southwest flight), and she spent most of the flight pouting and holding his hand--as he sat in the row in front of her. Surprisingly enough, this girl looked to be about my age, not 14.

We arrived in San Francisco (actually, Oakland) before noon, and we boarded a shuttle to our hotel--the Hilton Financial District on Kearny. I was so thrilled to see palm trees and sunshine. Despite having been born in California,** I hadn't actually been there in several years. It was unseasonably warm in San Francisco that day--in the mid-80's. We checked in, and I headed to the race Expotique to pick up my bib number and freebies with teammates Ellen, Heather, Aileen Laughlin, Suzie Johnston, and Becky Denson. The Expotique ran smoothly, and I picked up my number, some granola, a great "shopping" bag, some Laura Mercier bath gel, and a spectator's pass for Andrew.***

Then, it was time to shop. The Expotique (and race start on Sunday) were right in San Francisco's Union Square, right in the heart of Saks, Gucci, Prada, etc. The Nike Store in Union Square had the names of all the Nike Marathon runners in pink and white on the side of the building.

*I am not a morning person. I had gotten up at 4 to finish packing, get ready for the flight (I am not a roll out in public in sweats kind of girl, either), and head to the airport. I had not had coffee (trying to stay hydrated for the race). I was less than pleasant, but my hair looked great.

**Despite my more "East Coast" personality, I am actually a California Girl.

***Andrew was driving down Saturday, and he would be watching the race Sunday morning. Nike had arranged shuttles for spectators that would drop them off at cheering stations along the course, down to the finish line, and back to Union Square.

This Is Not What I Expected (3 Days Until Race Day)

Well, I've made my fundraising goals, I've started packing for San Francisco, and I am trying to figure out the best way to tape my foot for my race. I am excited about my trip--San Francisco is a great city, I'll get to see some friends I haven't seen in a while, and Andrew is coming down to watch my race (and tape my foot, lucky him).*

However, I am frustrated and apprehensive. I spent months training, hoping to maintain a certain pace and get a certain finish time. Based on my training, I was on pace to do around 2:10 for my first half-marathon (just under 10 minutes a mile for the 13.1 miles). Not bad for a girl who could barely run two miles in May. Unfortunately a wrecked foot is going to really inhibit my time, and I may not even be able to run. I probably, really, should not run. I did an easy 3-miler on Friday night (October 10) that was decently uncomfortable. I need to run more than 4x the distance on Sunday.

But, I signed up for this race not for me but on behalf of Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The race was always about more than me. It was about raising money for cancer research, being part of something bigger than myself, and being inspired by cancer survivors, including Jan Giesa, my Aunt Alice, my two sisters Jen and Wendy, and Kitty Janssen. It was also a tribute to my late aunt Shirley and my late grandmother Mary, both of whom lost their battles with cancer.

It's my understanding that race weekend for TNT participants is an emotional event. We have a pre-race pasta dinner (are you surprised?) where our fundraising efforts are lauded, and we learn what our dollars are doing to help battle cancers. Apparently, along the Nike course in San Fran, cancer patients and survivors are cheering on those of us wearing the TNT purple jerseys. I will be one of those people--no matter how long it takes me to cross that finish line.

*Andrew is getting his doctorate in physical therapy. He needs the practice.

Reasons to Run...the TNT Mission

Throughout my 10+ weeks of training with TNT, our coaches and mentors, as well as our teammates have encouraged us to keep aware of the reason we are running--not the physical benefits and the team bonding (although those are great things), but to help raise money for blood cancer research and ultimately a cure. It's easy to forget those things, especially when you think about the cancer survivors.

Of course, not everyone can be a survivor. I had a grandmother and an aunt who lost their battles with cancer. They were both much older when they passed away, so while it's still a tragic loss, it's not the same as when it's a child. Just today, I read about an 8-year-old British boy who died of leukemia recently. The article was short, but the little boy seemed so wise for his age and emotionally strong. The part of the story that really got the tears flowing had to do with the fact that his parents had arranged a pseudo-wedding ceremony so the little boy could "marry" his school sweetheart. He died the day after the ceremony. The entire article can be found here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2443562/Dying-eight-year-old-%27marries%27-his-school-sweetheart.html.

Tomorrow morning, when I get up for my run early in the morning and I debate about whether I want to get out of bed, I'll be thinking about him. I'll be thinking about him, too, when I ask for donations to Team in Training for the benefit of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, so that I don't have to read anymore stories like this one in the future.

The Gold Run (Run 50)

Saturday was another team run--this time at Mirabeau in the Valley (to hop on the Centennial Trail)--so it was much, much more flat than last week's team run.* I ran with Heather Butner again, and I must say that although I am certainly stepping up to keep pace with her (she is probably around 8 inches taller than I am), it's really nice to go out for a long run and have someone to talk to and work through the miles. A 60-minute training run* is considerably faster (in terms of the feeling of time passing) when you are having a conversation. Granted, I find myself out of breath and asking Heather very open-ended question so that she has to do more of the talking, but I am contributing.

It's really encouraging to be out at the team runs, particularly when Curtis and Kendra Edlin are out practicing with us. Curtis is in a 5-year remission from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (after five months of chemo), and he is currently being treated for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Curtis and is wife Kendra are out training with us with Team in Training--and fundraising--even though Curtis is currently being treated for Leukemia. It's pretty amazing to see someone faced with such a serious battle who is out training and fundraising to help himself and others. It certainly makes your feet keep moving once you hit that 6th or 7th mile.

Redistribution (Run 49)

Running is highly touted as a means to fitness, weight loss, and cardiovascular health. I don't disagree with any of these assertions, other than perhaps the weight loss portion. I didn't start training to lose weight, but getting rid of the remaining few pesky pounds that migrate around my midsection (my law school pudge, as I call it) would certainly have been welcome. Since I have started training, I have noted that my calves and thighs are stronger (and smaller) and that my law school pudge is less, well, pudgey. However, the scale has not moved (I know, muscle weighs more than fat, blah blah).

I am most concerned--shocked, saddened, unhappy--about the reduction in size of another part of my anatomy. I won't "flat"-out name it, but, let's just say that a certain letter no longer refers to the grades I got when I was in school (hint: I was the Honor Society Prez in high school, so I got straight A's). Sure, it makes running easy--as there's no top heaviness or back ache (or the need to find a really good sports bra), but, it was deflating for me to have the big splurge of my trip to the Nordies Anniversary Sale be small, small support garments that I could actually fill-out. Let's just say they are in a size that I haven't worn since I was 12 (and, I did not have hips when I was 12--or law school pudge).

I told a few of the coaches and mentors for Team in Training (all women) that I was fairly certain by the time we are done, I'll be able to run topless and it won't be offensive (although, people may wonder why that little boy running has hips--and shaved legs and feminine features). I joked with Heather Butner, a fellow Team in Training runner (training for the full marathon and a former high school classmate of mine) that my current situation was the reverse of high school track girls--those who suddenly fill out after freshman year and notice their pace and endurance changing. So, perhaps I am en route to being a twiggy fifteen-year-old. I guess there are worse things.

Every Little Step I Take*

This week, I have received some very generous donations. Between Monday and today (Friday morning at 10 a.m.), I have received $1,075.00 in donations. This is more than 1/4 of the donations needed for me to reach my minimum fundraising goal. I am amazed and touched by the generosity of all of my donors--regardless of the dollar value of the donation.

I may be most impressed by my less-than-one-year old niece, who donated $25 dollars to me this week--not only is she computer savvy, but she also managed to get access to her mom's credit card!

I have begun sending out reminders to persons that I sent fundraising letters and emails to back in late May. I know the economy sucks and money is tight for everyone, but I wouldn't be asking for money if it weren't for a good cause. It's not like I am asking for someone to fund my trip to the Nordstom Anniversary Sale (which started this morning--or at midnight last night if you shopped online). Please don't think that any donation would be too small...$1 or $5 or $10 or $1,000 (I know, not small)--all these amounts add up and will help towards the ultimate goal of Team in Training--to eradicate cancer. That's our team's mission and this year, Team in Training is likely going to hit the $1 billion mark. Please consider helping add to that total.

And, many thanks to my donors of this week**: Anonymous, Barry Davidson, Judith Elder, John and Jan Giesa, Travis and Erin Haynes, Ralph Leutz, MacKenzie Lovchik, Melanie Giesa Marshall, and Jackie Witter. Your kind comments on my fundraising page and your personal notes have been very encouraging.

*As I wrote that line, I was taken back to St. Francis School in New Haven, CT--where I am fairly certain at 12 or 13 I danced to the Bobby Brown song of the same name at a mixer with the other parochial junior highs in town.

**Many thanks to my previous donors as well!

The Mission--Step Up

Most of my posts have been about running, but I am not just running to be a runner, get in shape, complete a half marathon, get smaller thighs and flatter abs, etc. I'm running and training to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research.

Leukemia and Lymphoma encompass a broad range of blood cancers. My training for the half is with Team-in-Training (TNT), which has raised over $850 million in the last 20 years for blood cancer research, financial aid for cancer patients, cancer patient support, clinical trials, and many other things. This year, TNT is hoping to hit the $1 billion mark. Think about it. $1 billion. That $1 billion ($1,000,000,000) has and will be raised by individuals who have decided to train for endurance events and donate their efforts and time to seek donations. These are people writing letters to friends, having bake sales, and telling everyone they know about the cause. These people get rejected in their solicitations, but they keep going, as the cause is a worthy one.

I am one of those people. I have to raise $4,000 by October 6 to be able to run the Nike Women's Half-Marathon, which I have been training for for almost 4 weeks. If I don't raise the money, I have two options--quit or pay the remainder myself. If I quit, I will still have gotten good training, raised some money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and tried. I have already donated $114 towards my own goal. I don't want to work and quit.

I know that solicitations for money are unpleasant, but I'm not asking you to fund my Nordstrom habit or to buy me a gift. I'm asking you to help end blood cancers. The government is not doing as much as it should or could to end them, so individuals have to step up. Any donation helps. You even get a tax deduction for making the donation, because the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a non-profit organization.

So give up your latte today, skip lunch out, avoid the MAC counter, have one less martini and make a donation. I'll even send you a stamped, self-addressed envelope in case you want to send a check, money order, or cash--just let me know.

Donations in check/money order form should be made payable to: LLS. Give them to me, and I'll send them to the right place (you'll get a receipt mailed to you for tax purposes). Or, go to my fundraising page (second link on the right) and donate using your bank card or credit card (and you'll get an immediate receipt).

If you have questions, shoot me an email: rlhaynes@reedgiesa.com. If you want to read more about the cause and program, check out the Team in Training and LLS links to the right. Also, check out my first blog entry about why I am running--more great info on the program.

Morning Person?

I am trying to get my runs in during the morning, but I am failing in week two. I am just not a morning person, but I know once the weather gets (and stays) hot that I will want to be running in the morning when it is still cool outside. I completed Sunday's run in the morning (around Hayden Lake--beautiful run), but Tuesday's run was at night (a loop around Browne's Addition that I like). Tonight's run will be at night, as well, since I didn't crawl out of bed until seven.

Since I'm only doing 30-40 minutes runs right now, I can usually hydrate a bit (about 4 oz.) and head out the door. As the runs get longer in the next 22 weeks, I'll have to figure out what works for me hydration and food wise and does not upset my stomach. Right now, I'm loving the Propel Endurance--lower cal with not much sugar (see Running Tip #1) and a bit of caffeine to get me out the door.

Sunday and Tuesday's runs were energized by the following artists on my little green nano: Pat Benatar, Mary J. Blige, Motley Crue, Lily Allen, Saul Williams, Jamiroquai, George Michael, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, and The Chemical Brothers.

Welcome to my training page...but, why is it here?

It's official, I have agreed to train for the Nike Women's Half Marathon and fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society via Team-in-Training.



Team-in-Training (TNT) is the world's largest endurance sports training program, providing coaching and support for people participating, in, among other things, marathons and half-marathons. TNT started twenty years ago when Bruce Cleland ran the NYC Marathon with some friends, in honor of his infant daughter who had been diagnosed with leukemia. This is TNT's 20th year, and during those 20 years, TNT has raised more than $8,500,000 for blood cancer research.



TNT participants can choose from a variety of events to train for and complete. I have chosen to run the Nike Women's Half Marathon, which is held in San Francisco, California. This year, the race is on October 19, 2008. On that day, I will be running 13.1 miles. The Nike Marathon (and half-marathon) actually has partnered with TNT and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so all the participants in the Nike Marathon are running to raise money for blood cancer research (although, not all Nike Marathon runners are training with TNT). This year, there will be over 20,000 runners. The 2007 Nike Marathon raised $18.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.



As a TNT participant, I will be running five days a week for 23 weeks (from May 11 to October 19) to prepare for the half-marathon, and I will be working to raise $4,000 for LLS. Of the funds I raise, at least 75% goes directly to research for cures and treatments for various blood cancers.



Why am I running? Early this year, Jan Giesa, the wife of John Giesa, one of the partners at the law firm where I work, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At my first Reed & Giesa holiday party, Jan made a point of letting me know that she had heard great things about me from the partners and the firm. I was still in law school at the time and was basically hating life (for those of you who went to law school, you can sympathize). I was also the only law clerk in a firm with no female attorneys and no members of the professional staff who were my age. Going to that first firm event, I was a bit apprehensive, particularly about how all the partners wives would react to me (did I mention that not only am I the only female attorney here, but also the only associate attorney?). Jan (and all the wives) was very sweet to me, but Jan especially made a point of making me feel welcome. She has continued to do so from that party in 2005 until now.



John told us all at the firm about Jan's diagnosis, and I initially didn't know how to react. I cried in my office, but couldn't think of the right words to say (this coming from a litigator and a girl with a Masters in English Literature). I have been pretty lucky through this point in my life that no one really close to me has passed away. Both sets of my grandparents always lived far away, so we didn't get to see them as often, and they all lived long full lives, so it wasn't as tragic as it could have been for me. My parents, sisters, nephews, and niece are all here, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. I think the news of Jan's diagnosis really hit home because she always seemed so gracious and vibrant when I saw her. It was a hard realization that someone you just expect to be doing well is now very sick. Less than a month before her diagnosis, I sat next to her at another firm holiday party, and she was the sweet, engaging woman I knew her to be.


Her diagnosis came right before I turned 30, and I had been whining and complaining and generally feeling down about being 30 (and lying about my age); about huge student loan bills; about not being able to afford a pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos; about whether or not I was getting crow's feet; and about whether or not I was too young to start buying anti-wrinkle eye cream. I am fairly certain that I had told someone that my life was pretty much over at that point. Being confronted with Jan's diagnosis really made me stop and think and PRIORITIZE. I was 30. I was not dead. I was healthy, done with school, and actually doing what I had always said I would do since I was a little girl (yes, I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was in grade school). I had worked off most of my law library gut, and I had a long and bright future ahead of me. So, when I learned about the opportunity to run with TNT to raise money for LLS, I asked Jan if I could run for her. As soon as she agreed, I signed up with TNT and started running.



During the TNT informational meeting, our Campaign Coordinator, Erik Nordstrom, shared with us this quote, "You have not lived until you have helped someone who can never repay you." I think that pretty much sums up what TNT is all about and why I am running. Please help me help TNT and LLS raise money for blood cancer research. I have to do all the running--all you need to do is make a donation. All donations are tax deductible (and you'll get a receipt for tax purposes). You can see my fundraising progress on my personal fundraising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/nikesf08/rhaynes. You can even make donations online on my fundraising site with your credit card. Feel free to send any of your friends, family members, and co-workers the link to my fundraising page.



I'll be updating this page regularly--to keep you informed about my training and my fundraising progress. I am happy to report that after a course of intense chemotherapy, Jan is most likely in remission (I will keep you updated on her as well).