Stephanie Bradsher's Team in Training Page
Racing to Save Lives
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
As many of you know in February 2002, my older sister, Gayle, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and stem cell infusions. I was her stem cell donor. After eight months of fighting this disease, on October 23, 2002, she lost her battle.
I have become quite active with raising money for finding a cure for this disease. Along with participating in the Light the Night walks to raise money, last year I participated in my first half marathon. Since then I have completed 5 half marathons and have been bitten with the marathon bug and I will be completing my first full marathon on June 1, 2008.
I have become a mentor this summer season with Team in Training to others completing their first marathons or half marathons. I am continuing through the fall season and will be completing 2 more half marathons – Long Beach and one week later at Nike in San Francisco.
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.
I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!
UPDATES:
6/1/08 - I completed my first marathon at the Rock N Roll Marathon. It was the toughest thing I have ever done in my life. All the pain I felt during the race and even now in the aftermath is so worth it. When I got to Mile 22 and had my "melt down", I saw a survivor holding up a sign thanking us and I started crying. I went over to her and gave her a hug and let her know that she was my inspiration to continue and finish this race. She thanked me but I in turn thanked her. Those last 4.2 miles were the toughest of the race but I got it done! Thank you everyone for your support today. You guys Rock!
5/29/08 - Rock N Roll Weekend is finally here! I am so excited and also very nervous. Coach says it is perfectly normal and that we should all just try to relax and breathe! I am trying. I cannot wait to let you all know how I did. I want to thank you all for helping me reach my fundraising goals...I am almost there! Go Team!
5/24/08 - Today was a very busy day. It was the start of the Fall Season for Nike and Long Beach and the last training before RNR in San Diego. We started the day out at 6am for RNR and then at 7:30 we had our shoe clinic and time trials for the Fall Season. What a day. I put in my last training miles later in the day down at the beach as there was just not time to get it all in with the team...Next weekend...RNR San Diego! Thank you to everyone that has helped with my fundraising.
5/18/08 - Since Kick Off was yesterday, we put in our 10 miles on Sunday. It was a very hot day but we got it done. We are getting so close to our marathon. 2 more weeks...yahoo!!
5/17/08 - Kick off!!! Today was the kick off for our Fall season. What an exciting day it was. We had a great turn out for our team and I am so excited for this season to get started. GO TEAM!!!
5/10/08 - Today was training for our 20 miler. I was a bit nervous as I have never done that many miles before. I started out feeling pretty good, the weather was great. Kim and I decided to continue together, this is her first event and so I hung with her. After 14 miles, she was having a tough time so we walked the rest of the way in. She completed her 20 miles even though she wanted to quit. Part of being a mentor is being there for the mentees...I am so glad I was able to help her through those tough miles...GO TEAM!
5/2/08 - Training today was very difficult as I was not fully recovered from the half marathon last week. Due to the heat last week, I suffered from dehydration and so I did not put in my full miles today. Coach said it was better to listen to my body than push myself and risk injury. So, next week...it is 20 miles for me...wish me luck.
4/27/08 - Today was the La Jolla Half Marathon. It was a very tough course and the weather did not cooperate for us runners. I made it through and finished but there were many that did not. There were many ambulances taking runners off the course. A combination of heat and hills makes this a course I can say I did and will never have to experience again. This weekend we will be back on home turf and I am quite happy about that.
4/19/08 - Training today went very well. The weather was perfect and I was able to run a good portion of my 12 miles. I have a half marathon next Sunday so I am hoping for good weather for that as well. Pray for cool weather.
4/12/08 - We did our annual "train run" only to find out the train was not running...so, we ran up the coast 8 miles and turned around and came back. It was 90 degrees out and so the run was very difficult...but, we got it done! I want to thank those that have started me off to a great start in my fundraising...GO TEAM!!!
