Devina Garrity's Team In Training Page
Training updates on the bottom of the page!!!
Hello and Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
I was first interested in participating in Team in Training as a way to work towards a few of my New Year's Resolutions, 1) Be more active (doing quality things), 2) Get in shape, and 3) Do more volunteer work. I attended the orientation and felt more empowered after learning that I would be helping to find a cure for Leukemia, the #1 deadliest disease for people under the age of 20. Today, 87% of children treated for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia are expected to live normal, healthy lives thanks to the work of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The reality is people can get leukemia at any age. In 2007, about and 40,440 adults and 3,800 children are expected to develop leukemia. It is most common in people over age 60. The most common types in adults are acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CLL). Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of leukemia in children.
I am now training to participate in an endurance event, the 35th Annual Mayor's Half Marathon (yes, that's 13.1 miles!) in Anchorage, Alaska on June 21st. All of us on the Team are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, but especially for:
Adrianna Tucker - 11 years old, battling AML.
Louis Lai - Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in August 2004.
Matt Parrott - Diagnosed with B-cell follicular lymphoma in July 2007.
Michael Friedman - 60 years old, in complete remission from CLL.
Rene Nguyen - 69 yrs old, diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Jan 2008.
Raphael Volpe - 3 years old diagnosed with AML on January 26, 2007 (on behalf of Aurelia de Colle).
Cole Regan - October 22, 2002 - July 28, 2004. Passed away from AML M5 9/11 Chromosome.
Brenda Donato - July 6, 1970 - April 4, 2007. Passed away from AML.
Hoang Truong Viet (David) - December 4, 1939 - September 23, 2004. Passed away from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (on behalf of Louise Hoang).
William Francis Wagner - passed away from acute adult onset Leukemia about 9 years ago (on behalf of Cyndi Wagner).
These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
As part of my training, I have committed to daily training schedules as well as a change in diet and lifestyle. I know the training is going to test my limits, and I'm willing to make the sacrifice, but knowing that you've donated money to support me is the largest factor that will help motivate me to stay focused and go all the way. After all, I can't let you down!
Please let your family, friends, and coworkers know about my goal and ask them to make a tax-deductible donation by going to my website here.
The Tax ID number for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is 13-5644916. (Select the Northern California - San Francisco Chapter if that's an option.)
Don't forget to check with your employer to see if they will match your donation! Be happy to know that your donations are spent very wisely by LLS. 27% goes to Patient Services, 26% goes back into research, 17% is used for Public Health Education, another 17% gets applied to Fundraising, 8% is Administrative costs, and 5% is for Professional Education. LLS makes every effort to keep expenses below 25% of their budget, unlike many other non-profit organizations.
If you're making a donation in honor of someone, let me know. I will write their name(s) on my shirt for the race.
I hope you'll visit my site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks so much for your support!
Living life to the fullest,
Devina
UPDATES!!!
Week 1: 2/2/08: We had a shoe clinic at the Alameda Harbor Bay which taught us that your running shoes are very important! Make sure your shoes fit and are suited to your body in case your feet pronate. Aside from running my first 3 miles in years and looking at the view of the SF skyline, the best part of this day was that I was awarded the first Spirit Award of the season for raising the most money out of everyone in the East Bay! So, I thank each and every one of you who donated thus far!
Week 1: 2/7/08: For our first Track Workout, we met at Clark Kerr Track in Berkeley. We ran in the dark, through large puddles, and worked on our breathing technique. The view of the city lights was absolutely spectacular!
Week 2: 2/14/08: Fran and I joined the Diablo Valley team at Dublin High School for our Track Workout. BRUTAL! We had to run laps, do crunches, push-ups, Supermans, sprints, lunges, and more laps! Crazy as this sounds, this is exactly what I needed!
Week 3: 2/23/08: Fran and I visited family in So. Cal., but we didn't forget about out training! We ran the streets of Anaheim. I was coming down with the flu, so the 2 miles that I ran was difficult.
Week 4: 2/25/08: I ran 6 miles (3 laps around Lake Elizabeth in Fremont)!!! Holy cow! I never thought I'd be able to do that. My legs are sore, but it feels so good. I plan to add one mile each week until I run the Emerald Across the Bay 12K (7.45 miles) on Sunday, March 16th in San Francisco.
Week 4: 2/28/08: The track workout left me unable to walk for four days. Split squats are my enemy. As are bicycle crunches. I really should keep a journal of my food/drink intake. There's something that I'm eating that is slowing me down. We ran three miles tonight, and I can definitely feel a difference in my energy level. If you have any dietary recommendations, send them my way!
Week 5: 3/1/08: I ran four miles around Lake Merritt in Oakland. Actually, I walked a lot of it. My darn thighs and glutes were screaming for me to stop! I am so looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. Maybe on Monday too. Then I'll pick up the mileage next week to get ready for the Emerald Bay race.
Week 6: 3/8/08: I felt so guilty for not being able to follow my plan of increasing my mileage last week so this weekend I really gave it all I had. I am very happy to report that I completed 9 miles at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley! NINE MILES! The course was very challenging with 10 rolling hills. Now I'm really ready for the Emerald 12K race next Sunday. Oh, another thing, I was introduced to GU Energy Gel - it tastes pretty gross but I think that's what gave me the extra boost of energy at mile 6. Maybe I'll get used to the taste one day!
Week 7: 3/16/08: Oh my gosh! My first real race experience was amazing! The Emerald Across the Bay 12K was beautiful and exciting. Although my shin splints came back with a vengeance, I couldn't bear the thought of crossing the finish line by walking especially since my family (Dad, Mom, Lannie, Chris, Alex, and Vy) and friends (Chris and Tracy) were there cheering me on! I ended up finishing in 1:30:17 (12 minute mile pace). Not bad I guess, but I know I can do better.
Week 7: I haven't been running in order to let my shin splints heal. I have to keep my eye on the main event and not push myself too hard too early. Boy, do I feel lazy. But, it is what it is.
Week 8: 3/27/08: I tried to run after a week and a half during the track workout, but after jogging for a very short period, my shin splints came back. I was in so much pain. I have to really let it heal. BIG BUMMER.
Week 9: 4/1/08: Still no running and I feel lazy. I wish this were an April Fool’s joke. I’m staying active by doing yoga and weights. It feels like my shins are getting better, but I don’t think I can do the track workout on Thursday or run on Saturday. I’ll still go to support my other running mates! Oh, I did get some good news today. I got selected in the random drawing for Nike Women’s Half/Full Marathon in October! Everyone registered under my Group ID will be running with me to get that Tiffany’s necklace at the finish line! Woo-Hoo!
6/12/08: Okay, I have no idea what "week" this is since I've lost track. Even though I haven't been updating this site, I have been working out. I haven't been able to run on pavement due to a stress fracture! Yes, a stress fracture! How ridiculous is that? Since my race is a week away, I am going to "Do the damn thing" (as our dear Coach Al would say) and run. Suck it up buttercup. I went to my Send-off Party tonight and it was so motivating. I am so excited and am rearing to go!
6/17/08: Three days until my race. I am very excited and as ready as I'll ever be. My stress fracture is killing me still, but I'm going to go for it anyways. "Mind over Matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter." Another famous quote by Coach Al. Maybe I should call him Coach Al-mighty. He always knows the right things to say to keep us motivated. I have already written out the names of the Honorees whom I'll be running for on a ribbon which I'll pin to my jersey. As I write each name, I think about what they are/were going through, and I know that running doesn't come close to what they have/had to endure during their treatments. I will think of them the whole way.
