Leah & Malinda (TWINS RUN in our family) are officially in training for Chicago Marathon since we both received our Charlottesville Track Club Marathon Training Programs from Coach Mark! Leah followed Coach Mark's training plan and reached (surpassed!) her goal to qualify for the 2013 Boston Marathon! Malinda received her training program with a postmark from Eugene, OR since Coach Mark was at the Olympic Trials. This has to be a good sign for a personal best on October 7! :-)
"As a nationwide grassroots network our power to create meaningful change is rooted in individuals and families across the country. These advocates use the story of how Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorders (FGIMDs) have impacted their life to educate lawmakers about the conditions and to encourage them to take legislative actions and craft public policies, which support the FGIMDs community. By working together in a coordinated fashion, we leverage the strength of our numbers behind efforts to bolster federal funding for research activities and improve care for patients." (Source: Digestive Health Alliance)
"Each June, Digestive Health Alliance (DHA) dvocates from across the country gather in Washington, DC for a two-day advocacy event. The first day features advocacy training sessions, a review of our legislative agenda, updates on federal research, and a networking dinner. On the second day, advocates travel to Capitol Hill in teams for a series of meetings with congressional staff and Members of Congress to urge support for a legislative agenda focused on bolstering research into FGIMDs and improving patient care."(Source: Digestive Health Alliance)
In 2000, I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. While my symptoms continue to be debilitating at times, I continue to run whenever possible, including 7 marathons! And, I'm very fortunate to have access to the newest treatments and research.
My daughter and I are traveling to DC to participate in the Digestive Health Alliance Advocacy Day so that we can advocate for bolstering research into functional GI and motility disorders and improving care for patients!
For the first time, I waited until the very last minute & registered for a 5K Run on Race Day! Over the past several weeks, severe gastroparesis symptoms prevented me from running. So, this was my first run since the ODDyssey Half Marathon.
Bloomsday is so called because Ulysses features the characters Leopold and Molly Bloom, and the event takes place on June 16 because that’s the day of James Joyce’s first date with his future wife.
Running an all downhill race is almost certain to lead to a PR and I got one on Saturday at the Bruce Barnes Mile — 6:09 (20 seconds faster than on the track!). It's also a course PR for me. I ran the race in 2010 in 6:41. That's quite an improvement in 2 years!
The competition for my age group was insane. Although I was the 7th female and 30th finisher overall (out of 83), I came in 5th in the 40-49 female age group. Wow!
I did receive a consolation prize, I made the cut on NBC29's coverage of the
race. You can see me finishing just behind a 12 year old. :)
Oh, and since I'm addicted to data, I decided to set my watch to .1 mile splits. Ha! It blows my mind that elite female marathoners can run 26.2 miles FASTER than I can run a tenth of a mile DOWNHILL!
(5:51 pace = 2:33:16 marathon)
Calling All Athletes - Be a Part of Curing Childhood Cancer!
Team Lemon is Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's national athletic program, inviting all athletes to make a difference in the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. Each race you run, walk, bike or swim can raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and will bring us that much closer to finding a cure for childhood cancers.
Team Lemon members will have access to a race coach, a fundraising coach, training programs, an online fundraising page, group runs in the Philadelphia area and cool Team Lemon apparel for training and race day!
Team Lemon allows everyone to make a difference including mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends. Register for Team Lemon as an individual or as a team and help fight childhood cancer, one athletic event at a time!
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alex Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex's first stand, the Foundation has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with supporters nationwide carrying on her legacy. To date, ALSF, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $50 million toward finding a cure, funding over 200 pediatric cancer research projects nationally.
WHEN: June 8, 9, and 10, 2012 WHERE: Anywhere! You pick the place.
Thousands of Volunteers , Young and Old, Help Put A Squeeze on Childhood Cancer.
With stands and events from coast to coast, National Lemonade Days is a meaningful fundraiser that allows people of all ages and all walks of life to make a difference in the battle against childhood cancer. This three day event takes place annually and raises over $1 million for childhood cancer research.
Be a part of this annual June tradition, and hold an Alex's Lemonade Stand in your community! Anyone can participate, simply pick which of the days you plan to hold your stand and register through this Register Now link! You will get your very own fundraising page and receive a box of materials to help with your stand.
Visit the World’s Largest LEGO Lemonade Stand
LEGO® Friends and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Call on Philadelphia Builders to Construct the World’s Largest LEGO Lemonade Stand at the National Constitution Center to Kick Off National Lemonade Days 2012
LEGO® Friends and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) host a 2-day collaborative build of the world’s largest lemonade stand made entirely of LEGO® bricks with the goal of making the 2012 National Lemonade Days (June 8-10) the biggest in its history. 2012 will mark the 9th Annual National Lemonade Days. The Lemonade Stand will be completed in time to serve lemonade on Saturday. Additional building activities will take place during the weekend. The event is free of charge, but donations are encouraged.
In connection with the event, the National Constitution Center will host a variety of interactive programs and activities to honor Alex Scott and her legacy. Children and their families will have the opportunity to make lemon-themed arts and crafts, including bracelets and key chains, which they can proudly display to raise awareness for childhood cancer research. Visitors also can take a special guided journey through the Center’s main exhibition The Story of We the People and learn about child heroes, who, like Alex, have made a difference throughout our history. The Center’s activities are free with museum admission. Children eight and under are FREE with a donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand!
The event will be held on the Front Lawn of the National Constitution Center on Thursday, June 7 and Friday, June 8 from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday, June 9 from 12pm to 4pm. Visit http://constitutioncenter.org for more details.
