Team In Training Week Six

Week six's training run presented ten miles, friendly faces, hills, sights, and aromas of all sorts.

It all began early in the morning, waking up at 6am and driving out to Cazenovia where a nice couple opened their house to us runners for a morning gathering and refreshments following the run. The drive out to Stone Quarry Rd was interesting because the side street where we were meeting did not appear on my GPS. I had to wing it. Thankfully, I saw the Team In Training signs directing us where to go.

Upon arrival, runner's cars lined the street and at least 60 running shoes lay on the entrance floor of the home. I wish I had my camera phone; it would have been a terrific picture to post. I removed my shoes like everyone else, but, as dressing in the dark is always trouble, I had a whole in my sock. The luck of the Irish always falls my why. My big toe poked out screaming, "Hey, how you guys doin." Nevertheless, I survived my embarrassment, said my hellos, and visited the restroom before hitting the road.

As usual, I ran with Charlie and Joel. We agreed, like many others to run ten miles today. The conversation was good. I discovered, at the turn around point that I am one of the few runners who like Sarah Palin. The turnaround point was marked by a Cazenovia resident's mailbox with a picture of Mrs. Palin wrapped in an American flag. It was awesome. I wish, once again, I had my camera phone. I love Sarah Palin. She undestands what it means to be an underdog. She communicated with the American public through an anti-American media that doesn't believe that Americans can overcome adversity. But the media is wrong. We can overcome adversity.

I must overcome the resistance among friends and family who will not support my run. Who believe what I am doing is a "waste of time." I must find ways, therefore, to raise awareness and funds to benefit those who fight adversity everyday, the people who suffer from blood cancer like Jane Spellman for whom I run. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and my buddy Tom have given me an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone to help others by running. I really don't know what that means yet. However, previous Team In Training runners tell me about it often. "It all comes together at the end," they say.

While we ran, we crossed brooks, streams, and a water fall. We ran up and down many rolling hills. We even persevered breathing morning air saturated with the odor of cow manure. But, as the modern philosopher George Costanza opined after stepping into a pile, "Manure is not so bad. It has a 'ma' and 'newer'. " I chuckled remembering that episode of Seinfeld and ran on.

Joel, Charlie, and I ran past a wood mill, corn fields, and a dairy farm. The cows, covered in mud, stood ignorantly starring at us as we ran by. I couldn't resist. I called out, "Moo cow." A "black and white" just looked back silently. I knew the cow wanted me to finish strong; I could sense it. The cow had my back.

We stopped at the second water station for a couple small cups of Gatorade to replenish our lost electrolytes not to be used again. Met two ladies there who gave us refreshment, a smile, and hope for the future. we would see and hear them again as they wrapped up their station and drove by us with a friendly HONK. We reached the Sarah Palin mailbox, paid our respects or disrespects and turned around for home. The second water stop brought us to the lord of the manor who opened his home for us and now served us Gatorade. I cannot say enough about the Team In Training volunteers and the ladies from LLS, Maura and Maureen. They are always available and always helpful. Thank you for being there. Nothing can happen without you guys and gals.

We eventually made it back although the back side of the rolling hills were longer and steeper than they were on the front side.

I hope this latest update on my Saturday training run has been a good one. Please use the link below to support my run and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am reminded of a country and western song which held out the message none of us should wait for others to do what ought to be done now. If you feel compelled to support LLS, please visit my donation page. No donation is too small and all are appreciated. I will not forget you as I train. It only strengthens my resolve to fulfill my commitment to you who supported me. Jane and the Belinsky family, especially thank all of you who have supported us and who will in the future. We are 25% of the way to our goal of $4,500. The secure donation site is:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/cny/rnr09/wboyd

See you on the road.

Week Five w/Team In Training

This weekend the Team In Training ran a training race taking advantage of the Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run.

The Shamrock Run is a 4 mile road race in its 4th year. It has grown every year and reached a new high for runners. I believe 2200 runners were registered and 1997 runners actually ran and completed the race.

The Shamrock Run is only 4 miles and would seem like a walk in Burnet Park if it wasn't for the torturous hills. Two huge hills are traversed with in the first 2 miles of the race and, although hard to climb, they allow you to pick up speed and gain some composure before the last gradual and most devastating of hill on Coleridge Ave. leading back to Burnet Park and eventually the finish line.

I started out running within the 7 min/mile group with a friend who run quick; I hoped to stick with her ensuring a great finish, but I couldn't keep up as we completed the first mile, and she was gone. Kim finished the race in under 30 minutes. As I drifted away running down Burnet Park Drive, I caught up to another speedy friend who had gone out too quick. That is the only way I could catch her. We stuck together for about a mile, chatting and listening to the many bands rocking out to Hendrix. As we turned onto Hamilton St., the two nib hills stood before. I let her know that on the second hill I would take off on the decline and gather speed entering the last long gradual hill. I lost Tiffany, she finished well at 32:34. I thank Tiffany for being with me as we approached mile 2 since she has a competitive espree that rubbed off on me.

As I ran past St. Patrick's Church there was a water stopped which I ran by; in hindsight I should have stopped and a a cup of water. I continued to N. Wilbur passing Nibsy's Pub and a contingent of Syracuse Firemen. Then I cut across Tompkins and up S. Lowell passing Coleman's Pub were the gradual hill of death begins its ascent to Coleridge and into Burnet Park for one last loop before crossing the finish line.

I really do not remember much of Coleridge except the desire to either die or walk. I could not quit now. I committed myself to finish well. I slowed the pace and made back to the starting line, which ended the agony of Coleridge hill and swung into the park. I actually grabbed the stop sign pole and allowed momentum to pull me into the park. It begins uphill, then down, then up again passing the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and flattens out before the finish line, It was at that moment I sprinted, passing a several runners and crossed the line at 31:21.

It was over. I could not breathe. I wanted to vomit, but in good form, I had nothing to lose. I drank water, to no avail. I still felt awful. Thank God for G2. That hit the spot and brought me to recovery. I chatted with some friend from TNT, Joel; he ran under 35 minutes. Took a pic with Eileen and Mary Ellen; said hello to Ray and Bob; finally found Erin, who finished in 37:54 beating her goal of 39 minutes and Kristen, who finished 35:56, and Kim who introduced me to Pam. I even found my wife and daughter at the races end. It was a great experience. I can't wait to do it all over again.

The Team in Training had a fantastic turnout and outstanding performance. The Shamrock Run is our first race for us, setting us ever closer to our goal of running a marathon for heroes, the people with blood cancer. For me, this was my first race for Jane Spellman. I was able to compete well enough to finish in the top 350 runners. I beat my goal time by 5 minutes. I ran at my best pace ever at 7:51 min/mile. However, I must always remember why I run. It is to raise awareness and funds for people like Jane. It is for them. Any donation can help researchers find a cure now or in the future so we do not have to run anymore. So, please visit my donation page and make a secure donation at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/cny/rnr09/wboyd.

To cap the weekend off, we ran just over 13 miles this fine Sunday morning at 11am in Baldwinsville. Since the Team In Training did not have a long run on Saturday, Mark and I ran 13. He needs to prepare for the Knoxville half, and his suggestion to run beyond 9 inspired me to continue my preparation for the Team In Training marathon. I ran those extra miles with Jane and all our sponsors/supporters in mind; all of whom I cannot let down. Thank you for all of your support. I do appreciate it and hope we all cross the finish together.

Thank you for reading my progress toward raising funds and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with Team In Training. See you on the road.

Another Reason to Support LLS

Little girl fighting rare and deadly leukemia needs your help

BY Rich Schapiro DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, March 4th 2009, 2:04 AM

Jasmina Anema must get bone marrow soon to survive.
'Everything became surreal because she's always been so healthy and so wonderful,' said Theodora Anema, Jasmina's mother.

Jasmina was diagnosed with NK cell Leukemia on Jan. 20.
Jasmina Anema turns 6 years old Wednesday, and the birthday party planned for her - with a fashion show, cake and an appearance by singer Kelly Rowland - is a dream come true.
But the celebration could be Jasmina's last.

The bubbly Greenwich Village kindergartner is suffering from a rare and especially fatal form of leukemia that doctors fear will take her life within two months unless she receives a bone-marrow transplant.

Jasmina's family - and celebrities like Rihanna and NBA star Paul Pierce, who were touched by her plight - hope a donor drive Saturday will produce the match needed to save her.
"I need thousands of people to come," Jasmina's mother, Theodora Anema, said Tuesday at NYU Medical Center as her ailing child clung to her neck.

"She's the love of my life."

Jasmina's life was turned upside down on Jan. 20 when a doctor informed her she was suffering from NK cell Leukemia.
The news was crushing. Anema had no idea the minor infection on her daughter's toe was a sign of something so sinister.

"Everything became surreal because she's always been so healthy and so wonderful," said Anema, a fashion designer and single mom.

Suddenly, Jasmina was in a fight for her life.

Daily bouts of radiation and chemotherapy began and quickly took their toll.

Her long locks are now gone. Her mouth is riddled with sores, sometimes so painful she cannot speak. And her immune system has become dangerously weakened.

Worse still, Jasmina's leukemia is proving especially difficult to treat.

"The leukemia is growing faster than the chemo can kill it," Anema said.

Even before the start of her daughter's treatment, Anema knew the battle would be fierce.
Because Jasmina is adopted and has no sibling, finding a donor match - which would most likely come from an African- American - is especially difficult.

Further complicating the search is that African-Americans are underrepresented in the national donor network and their DNA tends to be more varied.

"It's one in a million," Anema said. "We really need the African-American community to step up."

Some big names have already joined the cause.

Moved by a video a family friend made, pop sensation Rihanna has made a public plea for people to sign up as bone- marrow donors - done with a simple cheek swab.
Pierce and fellow NBA star Christopher Wilcox also have also helped get the word out.
Still, a match has yet to be found. For Anema, the waiting and worrying is something she says no one should ever endure.

"I don't want anyone in this world to ever have to wait for a bone-marrow donor, or even to have the uncertainty of finding someone," Anema said. "It's the worst situation to be in."

Jasmina's donor drive will be held Saturday at Public School 41 (116 W. 11th St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact DKMS, a nonpprofit marrow donor center: (866)-340-3567.

Team In Training Week Four

Well, I am starting to write this post for a second time. I accidentally deleted the original finished product which ties into my them of "suffering". Lets see what I may be able to recall.
This morning was cold. the temp outside when I checked weather.com was 15 with a wind chill of -2. I did not want to run this morning. However, I thought about a few things: 1) who I run in honor of 2) the volunteers and 3) my fellow Team In Training mates. Three very good reasons to stick with the program and suck up being cold and achy.

First, I run in honor of Jane Spellman; the sister of my best friend Tom Belinsky. She, I will remind you, was diagnosed with myeloma cancer a couple of years ago. She is married with three children. Her mom died of cancer about 5 years ago. So, things have not gone smoothly. Jane received a kidney transplant after the myeloma caused her kidneys to fail, but thankfully, she was able to stop dialysis after receiving a kidney transplant. She is why I run. I believe if she can endure her daily sufferings and treatments, I ought to be able to endure a few discomforts from running. Don't you agree.

Second, the volunteers make running with Team In Training endurable.They plan our routes, help us with exercise and nutrition tips, and prepare the planned water stops to get us through each workout safely. Today, I stopped for a refreshment at Kendall's water stop. The Gatorade was so chilled by the cold air it was like drinking a slurpee. Boy, it hit the spot. While stopped I chatted with a few other runners and discussed what type of energy items we have used, i.e. goo, jelly beans, and the like. My vote is for jelly beans. As Tony the Tiger says, 'They're great!" These volunteers like Kendall wake up early to make us comfortable. They wake up to encourage us at each water stop. They freeze and lose valuable time they could have used fr something else.

Third, the other runners. Our coach, Maureen sacrifices a lot of time for us. Doing everything from coordinating the volunteers and the route planning beside running alongside us. The mentors who support Maureen run with the groups and share ideas for raising funds to meet our personal goals. My mentor is Tim. Although he was sick, he was there. That is important. All the runners and walkers who make it out there to achieve a goal inspire me to be more than I can be.

Pulling it all together is the concept of shared suffering. The boys and girls, men and women who have been diagnosed with blood cancer all suffer everyday. They and their families hope for someone to rise up and to discover a cure. But, to find a cure takes a) awareness b) money and c) commitment. All three are indispensable. My role is to run, to raise awareness, to raise funds by fulfilling my commitment. So, you and me share in temporary suffering. We ask and you give. Our suffering is not long-lasting, its fleeting unlike those who suffer cancer; for them its long lasting. So, suffer with me. Step out of your comfort zone a join us by making a pledge on my Team In Training donation page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/cny/rnr090 and make a secure online donation.

No donation is too small and all donations are tax deductible. Your donation will be remembered by me, Jane, and her family. Your support forces me to do what is necessary to accomplish our goal. That's right. The goal is yours and mine. We can only do it together.

Thank you for reading my update. See you on the road.

Team In Training Week Three

Week three for Team in Training was great. I met Tim, my team mentor, and ran with Charlie and Joel again. What a good group of folks.

We started out for the 8 mile run from the local Methodist Church after listening to a nutrition lecture and received some helpful charts on how much to eat before, during, and after a run, and what we should eat and drink, too.

The roads were pretty clear considering the 1-2 feet of snow which fell throughout the night. Running on pavement is such a nice experience after running on slush, snow, and ice. Running on slush, snow, and ice changes your stride; it kills my calves. So, I ran, sometimes, on the wrong side of the road just to find pavement. The car traffic was not bad, but when cars passed, they sped by and splashed muck all over us. We completed the run in 1hr and 15 minutes.

As usual with the Team in Training, every 1.5 miles stood a hydration station which makes for a comfortable run and an opportunity to meet the other runners even if its only for 30 seconds or a minute. Upon arrival back at the church, we ate some small carb snacks and drank chocolate milk. The chocolate milk, according to the nutritionist, is a great option after running because it also contains protein.

Each week I run, I come a little closer to my goal-- raising funds for LLS and running my first marathon. I do this for me that is true, but failure is not an option. Thinking of Jane Spellman, who I run in honor of, keeps me focused. I run to help her and others who suffer from blood cancer. My running, my lifestyle change to accomplish a personal health goal only comes full circle when it helps others. So, if you would like to support my run and those like Jane who hope for a cure to blood cancer visit my donation page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/cny/rnr09/wboyd Any amount is appreciated and never too small since we all have a common goal. Your donation is tax deductible and helps us help them, the sufferers and survivors of blood cancer. Thank you for your support

See you on the road.

First Team In Training Training Run

I woke up early this Saturday morning. Took my son to varsity swim practice and headed for Onondaga Lake Park to meet up with the Team in Training folks for our first training run for the San Diego and Lake Placid Marathons. There are a lot of people signed up, maybe thirty.

This morning's run was short. The options were 2, 3, 4, or 6 miles. The LLS had water stops at two mile increments and drinks and snacks waiting for us at the end. I met more good people and reacquainted myself with a buddy, John, I haven't seem since November. I ran with John and Charlie, who are mentors, and a woman named Danielle and a grad student at University Hospital named Joel.

Hear their running stories was great. Many people are running w/Team In Training because they either have lost a family member or friend to blood cancer or another form of cancer while others, like me, have friends who are suffering from blood cancer, i.e. leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin's disease. Now we are all together using the little talents we have to run and raise awareness of a disease which steals many lives from our hearts.

I am proud to be among these fine people. I am even prouder to find so many friends and family offering their support and prayers towards our goals, and I am most proud of those who are our driving force-- the people suffering from blood cancer, like Jane Spellman for whom I run.

I completed the training session running 6 miles; I had a small chocolate donut and a cup of chocolate milk before heading back over to the Wegman's Park to run another 4.5 miles with the Lake Effect Runners to cap the morning with 10.5 miles. I can't wait for next Saturday morning.
Please, if you are able to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team in Training visit my donation page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/cny/rnr09/wboyd and remember to tell your friends and family. We all reach the finish line together.

Team In Training

I started running in April of 2008 after starting a diet and exercise program to lose weight. In the process I lost 56 pounds and participated in 7 races from local 5K's to a half marathon in Cortland, NY and a Turkey Trot down in Brooklyn in Prospect Park. It has been a lot of fun, and I have met many new friends along the way.

A small group of us began running every weekend at Onondaga Lake Park and eventually, to accommodate our running friends, we started a web page to communicate about when and where group runs would be held. It has been a success.

One of my new friends is John. He ran with and told me about Team In Training which organizes events for runners, bikers, walkers, hikers, and tri-athleres to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He trained for the Lake Placid Marathon in 2008 over a 4 month period and loved every minute of it.

After talking with John, I have been contemplating joining Team In Training. It took me a few weeks to make my commitment to run, but I have made the commitment. Why did I make the commitment because I resisted making the commitment until I spoke with one of my best friends.

Over the past two years my buddy, Tom, has been telling me about the plight of his sister Jane. He told me about her diagnosis with cancer and her need for a kidney transplant and her deterioration overtime. However, not until last week did he ever mention to me the actual diagnosis; not that it should matter, but in this case it did because it sealed my commitment.
Tom told me that his sister, Jane, has myeloma cancer. Myeloma cancer is a cancer of the bone marrow. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with Team in Training hope to raise funds to cure blood cancer, including myeloma. I told Tom what I was planning to do. He said, and Tom is not an emotional guy, "If you do this, I will support you, and it would touch my heart greatly and truly have an impact on my sister and family." I had to make the commitment.

So, here I am wondering how I'm going to obtain the fund raising goal assigned to me. I do not want to fail in my commiment because failing would mean letting down Tom and his sister Jane first and second all the other people who have blood cancer.

Please find it in your heart to support me in my attempt to bring my running full circle from being a lifestyle improvement in my life to being a life saving decision for others. Visit my Team in Training Donation page http://pages.teamintraining.org/cny/rnr09/wboyd and support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Thank you very much. I can only succeed with your help.
Bill Boyd