Run Steph Run [2007 WDW Marathon]
 

As the thread title suggest, I will be participating as one of the masses in the 2007 WDW Marathon. Yes, that's the one that is 26.2 miles.

I'm doing the run as a part of Team in Training, an organization devoted to raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through participation in marathons, century rides and triathlons. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society go toward much-needed blood cancer research, patient assistance, and professional education.

This cause hits close to home for me – I am training in memory of my grandmother Joan, who passed away last year due to lymphoma. My grandmother was always one to think of others first, and has inspired me to participate in this run so that I can in turn give back to others affected by cancer. She'll be my inspiration when I feel like I can't run another step. Maybe you know someone who has been affected too.

In addition to successfully completing the marathon, my goal is to raise $3,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but I know I can reach my goal with the help of friends and family members.

Here's where you come in: I'm asking you to please make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Your gift – of any amount – would be very helpful and very much appreciated!

You can make your donation online at my website: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyvt/tntnyvtSWien, or send me a PM with your address and I will mail you a donor card and return envelope.

Feel free to post here or contact me via PM with any questions, concerns or words of encouragement.

I hope to see some of you at WDW that weekend as well!

Thanks, everyone!

You can do it Steph!! I hope the weather is pleasant and you have a great run.

Boma? :D

Well, Lani and I will be there. I'm sure Lani will be eating at Boma. I'm not sure how long we'll be there but if long enough I hope to fit in another trip to Plant City, Florida, ("winter strawberry capital of the world") for what may be the world's largest strawberry shortcake intended for individual consumption. If we do and you're still around you're welcome to join us.

But of course! I should probably leave that until after the race. Cool! We fly down as a group on Thursday evening I believe. I plan to extend into the week after the race so I can get in some park time. Not sure how many days at this point though. The group only stays through Monday.

I hope to be in good enough shape afterward to do fun stuff.

Even if you're not in good enough shape you will want to get out and do stuff, no matter how slowly you accomplish it.

The worst thing you can do is decide your legs are too sore and so spend the day watching TV in the hotel room. Besides, you want to get out to the parks so you can wear your medal and have people congratulate you all day.

By the way, do you know what your target time is going to be? If it is on the slower end you might talk to Lani about the Penguins. They are a group for slow runners (and some of them aren't so slow).

Right now I'm doing a run/walk with 8 min run/2 min walk. I'm averaging about 12 min/mi so far.

I would say you'll need plenty of good food to fuel your race . . .

But yeah, the buffet's probably best after strenuous activity. But then again, if you can't walk to get your food, no one's going to bring it to you. ;)

I would totally donate to your cause, but I was just proclaimed my department's representative for our month-long United Way drive. I'll have to be a good example for everyone by donating a lot and participating in all the fundraisers. Sorry!

Best of luck to you though, hope you have fun!

My longest run so far (or ever!) was last weekend: 8 miles

So far this week I've gone 11 miles. I've got 6 tomorrow morning for the group run, then I'm doing a local 5K on Sunday.

I ran on the treadmill last night because it was pouring rain and already pretty dark by the time I got home. It sucked. I have my fingers crossed that the winter is mild, at least in December, so I don't have to run through snow.

Excellent work!

Our big fundraisers at work start next week, but I'm gonna try and find something to send your way :)

Thanks!

Sprained my ankle playing soccer a few weeks ago, so I have to give that up utnil the race is over! :( However, my ankle is on the mend and I'm hitting the road again this week. I should be back on the training plan next week. :)

Down to the wire!
 

First of all, thanks to all of the LoTters who have pitched in to help in my fundraising efforts! :cheers:

Just a little over 3 weeks left until my race! I'm getting nervous. The lingering effects of the ankle sprain have been a nagging problem during my training, but I'm perservering. I won't have gone as many miles as my teammates, but I still plan to finish the race.


If you were considering donating but haven't gotten around to it yet, here's a gentle reminder to do so soon. If you do it before Dec. 31, you can use it as a tax writeoff! :D

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Good luck!

Thanks, katiesue!

If you want to track my progress on race day (Jan. 7), you can do so through this link. You can either sign up to receive periodic updates, or just visit on the day of the race and enter my race #. I'm #9909.

Good luck, Steph!

One week from now I will be sitting down to a pasta dinner at Epcot!

I got my ticket ordered and made a PS for Boma at 8:30 PM on Jan. 8th. :)

To track you online or go to the park, that is the question . . .

Have a great time! (I keep wanting to say "Good Luck" like I would to an actor, but it just is NOT the sentiment I want to express!!)

Enjoy Boma - make sure and ask them for a table near dessert end of the buffet so you don't have to walk as far for the Zebra Domes!!!

Awwww. :(

Drince, good plan!

Wait, what's sad about that?

I thought you were saying you wouldn't come. Of course, tracking me online is a good way to figure out where I might be at a given time. :)

I am looking forward to seeing you! :D

Good Luck - can wait to hear how it goes.

A mysterious man showed up at our party and he said he will be at the marathon (working). He doesn't know what his schedule so can't make plans.


Now, about this tracking on line........link? I think that would be a fun thing for all of LoT to do!

Flubber is also running the 1/2 on Saturday.

The mysterious man doesn't answer his email!
Live Results link

My bib# is 9909. You can also sign up to get updates via email or text if you know the runner's name. My name is misspelled in the database though, so you have to spell my last name wrong to find me. :rolleyes: On the day of the event, you can just use bib #s to see online updates.

No way! I'm just teasin'. Can you guesstimate where you'll be when? Are you taking your phone?

You punctuate that as if you're suprised.

Steph, I'm sure the TnT people are all over this but I just saw the weather forecast for the weekend. It is going to be the warmest marathon weekend since we started.

I'm not sure what you're projected time is but I believe you'll be out there long enough for it to really start to heat up (and with overnight lows in the upper 50s it isn't going to be that cold to start with) so make sure you are layered for disposal and stay hydrated out there.

I know when we did the full it was getting into the low 70s when we were finishing and it felt like a billion degrees and the beating sun really sucked.

Thanks everyone for your support! I'll see you when I get back.

Run Steph Run!!! Good luck!!!!

Just think of all the Tonga Toast you can eat ... Best wishes comin' at you from the North Woods!

Yes, good luck! And have fun!!

Congrats, Steph, on finishing the marathon!

I hope you will be able to walk tomorrow. :)

Hooray! Cheers, Steph.

And if for any reason you can't walk tomorrow, we'll fetch you whatever you need from the line at Boma.

Congratulations!!!!! You sounded tired but joyful on the phone! YAY! What an accomplishment!

Congrats!

A giant Congratulations to you!! I am so impressed!!!

You inspire me!! :snap: :snap:

For those of us unable to do such a feat, but who may have always wanted to run the marathon-

Congrats!

:snap:

Great job!

WTG Steph! Congrats!

Congratulations!

Yay for you. Congratulations!

Thanks, everyone! It was an awesome experience. I'm still waiting on official race photos, but I'll post a link when they're up.

Special thanks to Matterhorn Fan, flippyshark and HTHBellCaptain for a most excellent celebration dinner at Boma. Even though the Zebra domes were lacking, the company was not. :cheers:

Here's one photo I uploaded.

Do I look excited?

That is such a cute picture!!! You look very happy and excited.

So did you win the race? :D

Congratulations, Steph! What an accomplishment!

Congratulations! :snap:

The official race photos are up. There are some choice shots of me at the finish.

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_e...13985&BIB=9909

In addition, the following are not listed at the above link, but you can enter the # in the "Enter Photo ID" box on the lefthand side of the page:

13985-1916-020 (MGM)
13985-1676-003 (Epcot)
13985-350-035 (finish)
13985-2292-034 (finish)
13985-1022-018
13985-1343-015 (far right in back on Main St.)
13985-1343-017 (1/2 of me on Main St.)
13985-525-004 (in background between red shirt and green shirt)
13985-1291-028 (far right in back)
13985-2453-016 (next to Figment)
13985-1591-021 (waaay in back at elbow of guy in red shirt)

Great job. I have to agree, this is a major accomplishment.:)