Eighteenth Practice - Valley Forge

Full marathon participants completed twenty miles today! The weather was overcast, but the mild temperature was very comfortable for running. I'm quite surprised that I'm not aching as I write this message! Perhaps when I stand up, I will feel the pain!

Thank you to teammates Denny and Lauren for the support during the run... looking forward to running with both of you during the upcoming New Jersey Marathon! Theresa... you're too quick for me! Good luck with the next long run in two weeks on your own!!!

Fundraising Focus... Congratulations to Vancouver participant, Julie S.!!! Over the course of the last two weeks, Julie raised $3,230 online and won the Ananda Spa Gift Certificate in the online fundraising challenge. Great job, Julie!

Next Saturday, we return to Valley Green to run eleven miles!

Team Mentor - Fall 2007 Season

I have accepted an offer to become a volunteer team mentor for the Fall 2007 season as a participant for the Philadelphia Distance Run!


Fall Season Events

We are currently recruiting participants for the following events:

Philadelphia Distance Run
Philadelphia, PA - September 16, 2007

Nike Women's Marathon, A Race to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
San Francisco, CA - October 21, 2007

Marine Corps Marathon
Washington, DC - October 28, 2007

adidas Dublin Marathon
Dublin, Ireland - October 29, 2007

First Magnus El Tour de Tucson XXV presented by Diamond Ventures
Tucson, AZ - November 17, 2007

Accenture Chicago Triathlon
Chicago, IL - August 26, 2007


Summer Season Events

There is still time to register for the following events:

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon®
San Diego, CA - June 3, 2007

Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon presented by ConocoPhillips
Anchorage, AK - June 23, 2007

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride
Lake Tahoe, NV - June 3, 2007

Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon in Fairmount Park™
Philadelphia, PA - June 24, 2007

Seventeenth Practice - Valley Green

Full marathon participants completed eleven miles today in the beautiful warm weather! Ahhh... Spring is finally here!!!

The "runner's knee" acted up a bit this morning, but I completed the distance with no problem. Valley Green, in the Wissahickon Valley of Fairmount Park, is Philadelphia's best kept secret... the trail is very scenic with plenty of trees, stone bridges, and the Wissahickon Creek.

Fundraising update... I have reached $2430! A few online donations arrived last week in response to my fundraising challenge listed below. There's only a few more days until the contest is over (March 28)... tell your friends!

Next Saturday, we return to Valley Forge to run twenty miles!

Sixteenth Practice - Valley Forge

Full marathon participants completed eighteen miles today in the frigid and windy weather! Spring is only a few days away, so I hope the warm temperatures return next weekend!

Well, this was my longest run so far... just think, only eight miles until marathon distance! The "runner's knee" has returned, but icing prior and after practice seems to help with reducing the pain. Over fifteen years of running experience has certainly allowed me to understand my body quirks... I anticipate being fine as long as I continue to adhere to advice of our coaches.

Next Sunday, we will run at a new location - Valley Green (sometimes referred to as "Bridle Path", Wissahickon Trail, or Forbidden Drive) in Philadelphia.

My Fundraising Challenge: Win a massage gift certificate!

The Award... Ananda Spa in Center City (Philadelphia, PA) has generously donated an $85 gift certificate to Team In Training's Eastern, PA Chapter. Each of my team members have done an amazing job this season, therefore my Team In Training Campaign Coordinator can't simply pick one person to receive this award.

The Resolution... The certificate is being put up for grabs for all team members through the "I'm doing an endurance event and could really use a massage fundraising challenge."

The Challenge... For the next two weeks, starting today (Wednesday, March 14th) and running for two weeks (through Wednesday, March 28th), the Team In Training member who raises the most money ONLINE will win the certificate.

Your Reward... This is where my friends can help!

1. Select the "Donate Here" link, and make an ONLINE tax-deductible contribution at the "Make A Contribution" section on my behalf for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

2. Refer my website - "Stephen In Training - Racing To Save Lives" http://stephenintraining.blogspot.com - to your friends and family members.

3. I will track each ONLINE donation during the contest, so you can send me a list of your referrals through email for credit.

The Disclaimer...

If I win the challenge, I will pass along the certificate to the person who raises the most ONLINE donations for my account.

If I don't win, I can't pass along the certificate to you... however the donations will still help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma from taking more lives.

Thank you for your time and effort!

Fifteenth Practice - Kelly Drive

Full marathon participants completed between ten and twelve miles today. We ran a loop from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Ridge Avenue in Manayunk, then completed the remaining mileage by running along a trail to South Street and back to the museum. For those who ran ten miles, the trail to South Street and back was skipped.

A few of us ate a hearty breakfast at "Little Pete's Restaurant" a few blocks from the museum... a great way to end today's practice!

Next Sunday, we return to Valley Forge to run eighteen miles!

Fourteenth Practice - Valley Forge

Full marathon participants completed sixteen miles today.

The course consisted of completing the trail loop for five miles, running down to the Betzwood picnic area to complete four miles, then our final two miles occurred on a service road back to the main parking lot. The remaining mileage was completed in between running to the different areas of the park.

The knee injury has improved. Applying ice after the short runs this week was very helpful!

Next Sunday, we return to Kelly Drive to run twelve miles!

Mission Moment

Honored Team Hero (Summer 2006)
Message From Emily Freidlander

Here are some words of encouragement from someone who has seen both sides of Team In Training: the participant side and the benefiting from what the participants do side.

In March of 2003, at age twelve, Emily Freidlander was diagnosed with stage one Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Following the shocking diagnosis, she began a rigorous six-month chemotherapy treatment plan at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Later in the year, she was named 2003 Girl of the Year for our Man and Women of the Year fundraising campaign. Emily attributes this honor to sparking her interest in becoming involved in the society's mission. Today she is happily almost 4 years in remission and continues to promote cancer awareness. To celebrate her third year in remission, Emily and her mom joined Team in Training. Many fundraisers and team practices later, the mother-daughter team flew to San Francisco and completed the 2005 Nike Women's Marathon. Together, they raised almost ten thousand dollars for the mission!!! Emily then furthered her involvement with the Team by becoming one of our Team Heroes for the Summer 2006 Season.

Here is her message to the Team: "Through Team in Training you can be transformed into a life-saver. The moment you cross the finish line all of the hard work will be paid off; an indescribable feeling of success will linger in your body forever. To embark on such an opportunity will aid in those searching for a cure for cancer, those afflicted, and enhance your personal perception of the world and self. Enjoy your training, cherish every dollar raised towards cancer research, and know that you have made a difference in my life and all those who are fighting blood cancers."

Amanda - Team In Training Campaign Coordinator