Keith Kasin's Team in Training Fundraising Campaign
Racing to Save Lives - Working to Find a Cure
My heartfelt thank you to all who have pledged both financial and prayer support. With your help, I have exceeded my fundraising goal and have successfully completed the San Diego Marathon. You have all been with me in this adventure!
June 7, 2007
It has been three days since the race and wow time has flown by. I had intended to send an update Monday night but time did just not allow. As I prepare to do so now, I realize it is probably better that I did not do so sooner as the more I reflect on the experience, the more I realize how wonderful it really was. Okay, to address the first questions that many have already asked, I did finish the marathon, it was not without injury, and yes, I would, and am going to do it again! To leave it at that would be quite shallow, so take a few moments, grab a cup of coffee, or curl up on the couch and let me tell you my story!
While my official introduction to Team in Training, and my focused training, began just over three months ago, the scope of what I signed on for really became evident on Saturday June 3rd as I arrived in San Diego with the rest of our Redlands group. In all we were thirty-five in number but once we arrived in San Diego, we joined approximately 3900 other members of Team in Training from around the country. Once settled in at our hotel, our group headed to the San Diego Convention Center to complete final race registration and to spend a little time at the Health and Fitness Expo. Returning to the hotel for a little rest and preparation for our Pasta Party, aka carbohydrate loading dinner, I began to get a feel for how big the event would be as the trolley system was rapidly reaching capacity and quickly falling behind in its schedule.
At approximately 4:30 PM we headed to the Pasta Party. Talk about noise; we were greeted by all the coaches and mentors cheering for us and welcoming us to the event. While really nice, I have to feel a bit sorry for them as there had to have been some residual headaches and sore arms after cheering, ringing bells, blowing horns, and waving banners for an hour. Once in, had a great dinner with a variety of pastas, chicken, salad, and veggies as well the opportunity to hear several speakers. The most incredible of these was given by a young girl who herself was a two time Leukemia survivor. I hope just once in my life, I will be able to reach an audience the way she did. Still a teenager, her ability to captivate and inspire a room of several thousand was truly amazing.
Sunday morning, race day, began early at 3:45 AM with roll call and loading on busses for transportation to the starting line at Balboa Park. With two hours to the start of the race, we had a chance to visit as a team and get some last minute course advice from Patrick, our trainer. Finally at about 6:15 AM we entered our assigned corrals and waited for the starting gun. With nearly 20,000 people in the race, this was quite an experience. I was surrounded by people studying pace plans scribed on their forearms, chatting about pace with partners, shouting to friends rows in front of them, and one even having one last cigarette! In corral four, I began to feel a bit lonely but then spied a few other purple Team in Training jerseys. I began to work my way towards these folks to find where they were from. Just as I got to them, our group began to move forward, the race was on!
While I did not have a written plan, I did have solid advice from Patrick burned in my brain: don’t start too fast, maintain your pace, when you hit the 163 freeway, stay to the right on the uphill, and move left on the downhill while avoiding the temptation to increase your pace. Within the first mile, I began to feel like I was in a hockey game being bumped from both sides as well as from behind! I quickly realized what Patrick had been talking about in training when he referred to race day conditions. The temptation to speed up and work out of the crowd was overwhelming however, as I looked at my watch and realized I was already at a 10 min/mile pace, I recalled the previous advice and thought better of it. Finally at the three mile mark, I got fed up with being bumped and sped up in an attempt to move out of the crowded conditions. Unfortunately, I quickly found that this was easier thought of than done and at a sub 9 min/mile pace, I probably burned up energy and put early stress on my legs that was not needed at this point. A bit later, although I am not sure how far into the event, I slowed back down and decided to move out to the side to see if conditions were a bit less combative. This exposed me to a whole different world!
On the outer edge of the pack, I did get bumped a bit less and also found myself much more accessible to the crowds lining the streets. For the first eight miles both sides of the roads were lined with people. For the first few miles, I do not think I was aware of just how many were there as I was more focused on my running and trying not to get plowed over. My wake up came somewhere around mile five as I suddenly heard my name shouted out. Looking around I did not see anyone I recognized but then heard my name again from a different voice and realized it was people cheering me by name because of the huge piece of tape across my chest with my name on it. Not recognizing anyone, I found myself quickly drawing back to focus on the task at hand; running. Somewhere in the next few miles, I let my eyes wander to the sidelines again to see the crowds. This time I began to see the poster boards of cancer survivors thanking Team in Training, families with posters pictures of children currently fighting their personal battles, and coaches cheering other Team runners onward. Suddenly, I was passed by an individual with a Team in Training jersey; on the back it read “past marrow recipient”, all my focus began to change. Looking back to the sidelines again, I saw another family, children with their hands held out for a “high five” runners in front of me breezed on by and the look of disappointment was evident on the children’s faces. I decided to be bold and move over and held my hand out as I went by; connecting with three of them, I could see the smiles emerge. I suddenly realized how interactive this could be and the crowds needed me just as I needed them to maintain my energy; I began to feel a wave of emotion that triggered tears!
As I embarked on the 163 freeway, and began to experience the steep side to side pitch, I quickly followed Patrick’s advice and moved to the right. Running on the shoulder, both feet were striking on a flat surface and, for the first time in about eight miles, I was not getting bumped, what a relief! We ran approximately four miles on 163. The first two were up hill and the second two were down hill. It was interesting to hear runners complaining about the hill as I hardly noticed it. The training we did as a team combined with the hill running I had done on my own made the 163 incline feel like flat road. Running along 163 quickly got lonely as crowds dissipated, I imagine due to limited access. Cars in the opposite lane honked and an occasional driver would yell out the window as we crossed under overpasses, I looked up to see them lined with onlookers and more banners supporting Team in Training; the energy boost needed to look good as we exited the freeway at mile twelve greeting new crowds.
Lori and the children, as well as Ron and Louanne met me at about this point. A much needed set of bright faces and encouragement. I stopped to give some sweaty hugs get a quick drink, and then headed on. Patrick met me at mile 13 and ran with me for about a quarter mile before dropping back to meet with others from our team. Continuing on, I felt strong until mile 17 where it began to fall apart.
At mile 17, my right calf, the same one I tweaked in early May and strained again just a week ago gave out and began pulling hard and giving frequent spasms. Hoping I could loosen it up, I walked about a half mile and then began running again. This lasted for about a mile before my hamstring began to twinge and then gave me a popping sensation much like the one I felt when it tore early in training. It was about this point that I broke down and contacted Patrick to let him know that I thought I was broken. His advice was to walk and that he would try to meet me at mile 21. Life began to move extremely slowly and as I walked, the pain actually seemed to increase. Not knowing where Lori was at, I tried calling her on her cell phone with the hopes that she might be in a place where she could get back in close to the race course with some Tylenol. This proved to be impossibility.
Not having a better idea, I figured the best way to ease the pain was to get off the course so I started running again figuring that would get me to the end faster. This truly did not feel good but I hoped it would go numb after a few minutes. Approaching the 21 mile mark, I recalled the spearmint Lifesaver Patrick had given us at 3:45 AM. His instruction was to hold it in our teeth and inhale as we hit the lowest point in the race. I think I had hit it. As I popped my “silver bullet” I also looked up and saw a huge yellow balloon with a big smiley face on it. There was the energy I needed. Mom, who could not be at the race, had sent an email that I had read just before starting out as well saying that if I could visualize a big yellow balloon hanging above the crowd, that would be her cheering me on. There she was! Somewhere between 21 and 22, Patrick was on the side as promised. Boy I needed that. As he asked how I was doing, I tried to smile with my lifesaver. I think he knew what the true story was. We ran together for a bit before my leg broke through and I became aware of the spasms in my leg again and needed to stop and tried to stretch. This really did not do anything so we got back underway at a turtles pace. My hopes of a sub four hour time were now gone. Patrick stuck with me until mile 23 when he got a call from another teammate who was hitting the mental wall and needed some moral support. Left with instructions to walk the rest of the way in, I spied yet another yellow smiley balloon and pulled it together to run the rest of the race at a very conservative pace. Crowds began to build again and cheers began to fill my ears. By my clock, I crossed the line at 4:53 by the race chip; I crossed at 5:03. Regardless, I did it with the realization that it had nothing to do with my time but everything to do with the experience along the way. The 3900 from Team in Training who were running along the course, the thousands of supporters and thankful families along the way, the thousands of others who just cheered, the coaches and mentors who ran throughout the race, and the true heroes, those fighting cancers as we ran.
Once crossing the finish line, I had my timing chip removed and headed back out on the course to find teammates and encourage them in. While my leg was still throbbing, it was finally approaching certain numbness and I had promised to be there. I added about two miles doing this but it was the most rewarding of the day.
In all, Team in Training raised $12.5 million to support Leukemia and Lymphoma research on Sunday. Each of you had a significant part in this. I will run again in January for Team in Training at the Phoenix Marathon and will return to San Diego next year to complete the course without injury. For now, I am taking the next few weeks off from running to allow my leg to hopefully heal completely and will then begin with light running to keep in shape for the next season.
Sincerely,
Keith
May 12, 2007
After about an eigth of a mile warm up run in preparation for our Saturday distance run, I re-pulled a muscle in my lower right calf so sat the rest of the day out. Despite being on the injured list, I had a good time chasing our team by car and providing drink stops along the way. I did run about 2.5 easy miles to great team members on their way in to drink stops and again at the end of the day's coursse. Hopefully by Wednesday I will be back in tip top shape. For now, I am staying on ice and doing stretches.
May 11, 2007
Since my last update our Saturday runs have continued to increase in mileage. About two weeks ago, weather conditions began warming which clearly had an impact on our team. Added hills and warmer temperatures has about the same impact on the human body as it does on your car engine and clearly has the ability to test one's mental capacity to keep going when the physical body says slow down or quit. Hmmmm only a few weeks ago, it was cold and drizzly. At that point we all wanted nicer conditions.
At this point, out weekly distances are now tapering off allowing more time for our bodies to recover and begin building up in prepartion for our June 3 race date. As I have met my personal and fundraising goals to date, I am now beginning to think towards a new benchmark which would be completing the race in 3:20, my time needed to qualify for the Boston Marathon!
April 15, 2007
I have been delinquent in writing of late as things have been quite busy. Since my April 1st entry, our distance mileage has been increasing at a rate of two miles weekly. This past Saturday, April 14, we ran 14 miles across some of Redlands finer hills in the Sunset and Wabash areas. (no joke folks, these are 15-16.5% grades) At times, it was a challenge to mainain a pace under 10 minutes/mile but in the end, I completed the course in two hours and five minutes. Realizing that San Diego will not be challenging me with type of hills I have been training on, I am feeling pretty confident about my goal of finishing in under four hours.
Fundraising has been going really well too. Thank you to all those who believe in me and have made contributions! At this point, I have not only met my stated goal but have exceeded it by $1,185.00!
April 1, 2007
Yesterday, March 31, our local team ran with the combined Team in Training teams from Southern California. In all, there were approximately 200 runners at the event. The race was set to go 10 miles but several of us decided to extend and add 3.1 miles to make it an even half marathon. I completed the event in 1 hour 35 minutes. March 30, 2007
I was out of town for business this week so missed our team's training sessions Wednesday night. I was able to run each day while at our Corporate office and found a few good hills to workout on as well.
I was amazed upon my arrival home to find a small pile of envelopes that had arrived in the mail containing donations. As of today, with the support of my friends and family, I have officially not only met but exceeded my fundraising committment. I am so thrilled and appreciative of all my supporters!
March 24, 2007
This morning we did a 6.4 mile run with a few of us continuing on for an extra two since the weather was nice. I did not get out to run yesterday as I was fighting general body aches and chest congestion so this morning's trek was less than pleasant. I was determined this morning that if I could get out of bed, I would run until the bug was gone. We will see what happens. If all is well, I will be heading out for ten miles tomorrow.
Patrick, our trainer shared with us this morning that approximately half of our group did not recommit earlier in the week so our numbers are down at this point. Not seeing fellow teammates is disheartening but I am certain the remaining group will pull through.
I have business travel this week so will not be with our group on Wednesday but will have opportunity and partners while away. Next Saturday we have a ten mile run race in Yorba Linda which is reported to have over 200 participants.
March 22, 2007
As a team, we just completed recommitment which marks each individual's commitment to completing fundraising, training, and ultimately the marathon! Several team members have opted out of the challenge at this point but those who remain are solid in their drive to be successful.
I have met some truly amazing people thus far. Our team trainer, Patrick is an outstanding and pationate guy. He is motivating, supportive, and committed to the success of each individual as well as the team. Each team member that I have come to know has an truly touching story of what brought them to Team in Training and why they are running. I am looking forward to building relationships and completing the challenge.
March 17, 2007
Today was my third run since injuring my right hamstring two weeks ago Wednesday. I have spent quite a bit of time on ice and working with a recumbent bike to strech and stengthen before running again. I walked the six mile team training course Saturday March 10th and then joined the team for a workout Wednesday March 14th to see how things would hold together. It was a good workout but I did take things slow.
A run five mile run on Friday March 16th felt great until I hit a rough spot in the road at 5:00 AM and took a fall. Back to the ice for the day and night....
Today was a joint run with the team from Rancho Cucamonga. I started slow and after the first two miles decided to open things up a bit. The run went real well with an average pace of 8.5 minutes/mile.
February 27, 2007
I am currently in training to participate in the San Diego Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to those who have provided financial support for this fundraiser. Your donations are vitally important to the success of Team In Training's efforts to find a cure. If you like, please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.
I am currently running eight miles daily as part of my training routine as well as working out with our team twice weekly for endurance and speed training. I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress.
Thank you for your support!
Keith
