Carisa Ward's Team In Training Page
Saving lives...One mile at a time.
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
I am training to participate in the Rock N Roll Marathon in San Diego 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, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.
I am training and fundraising in honor of my 2 heros, my father, Frank Ward, who passed away from cancer in 2006 and 17 year old Jordan who was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia at age 19 months.
This event is a way for me to help them and the many others that are struggling to survive this horrible disease.These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
Your generous donation will 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!
**** 2/18/08 Update: Well, I have been training 3 times a week for 3 weeks now and Im up to 4 miles. I cant believe Im actually able to run that far...Ive never even run a mile before! Granted right now Im running 3 minutes then walking 1 but still...its quite a personal accomplishment.
Ive also raised 39% of my fundraising goal which is amazing. I didnt realize what generous friends I have!!! But I still need your help. Please feel free to pass my email, letter or website on to any of your friends, family and co-workers. Every cent counts and can make a difference in so many peoples lives.
Until next time...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I LOVE YOU ALL!
**** 3/17/2008 UPDATE: Hello again, friends! Iam now up to my personal best of running 9 miles!!! Yes, count them 9 MILES!!! Our team had a "Mock Event" in Jupiter, FL this Saturday and that was the furthest we have run so far. Ive also been able to increase my endurance and am now running 5 minutes then walking 1 minute. What a leap since my update to you last month. After the event Tina (my mentor) and I went to the Delray Beach St Patricks Day Parade and sold beads as a fundraiser. Talk about a long day. I was worn out by the time I got home that night. Whew! But now I am almost at my fundraising goal. Ill have a few more fundraisers going on soon and will keep you up to date with them as they come up.
Oh and guess what else...I have just signed up for my first 5K race in Miami this month. I dont plan on winning but not finishing last will be good enough for me. I think I have officially caught the "running bug" and I like it. :)
A HUGE Thank You again to everyone for all of your support and confidence. And dont forget to please pass my email, letter or website on to any of your friends, family and co-workers. Every bit of support counts! Thank you so much and see you soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------- 5/17/08 Update
Hello again, friends!
This is it...my last update before the San Diego Marathon on June 1st.
First and foremost I want to thank all of you for helping me acheive and surpass my fundraising goal of $4,200. Whether you donated personally, bought jello shots, raffle tickets or were part of my support system I couldnt have done it without your help and encouragement.
Since my last update I have actually had quite a hard time with my training. A couple of weeks ago I was supposed to run 18 miles but unfortunately at mile 15 I was laying on the ground and couldnt move my right knee. Thankfully I have a wonderful coach and mentor who stayed by my side and drove me back to our finish line. I went to the doctor and found out that my spine is crushing my sciatic nerve which shoots pain through my lower back and buttocks and obviously...my knee. I took a week off of running and have been going to physical therapy 3 times a week. It really has helped to stregthen my back and abs and today I will attempt my first run...10 miles is the goal, keep your fingers crossed that Im not on the ground again. lol
On a more positive note, Im happy to say that I have competed in two 5K races (thats 3.1 miles) and lost 14 pounds in the process of doing all this fundraising and training. I dont think there has been one day in the past 3 months that I havent had something to in preparation for the big day on June 1st.
Once again I want to give you all a A HUGE Thank You and Hug for all of your support and confidence. Without you, none of this would be possible, An extra Thank you goes to Stephen Melnick and staff at the Boca Raton Wells Fargo Insurance office and Michael (MLoop) and Chris Simmons from WAKA (World Adult Kickball Association) for letting me go crazy with my fundraising and all of your support. Every bit of help counts and you guys have been amazing!
Thank you so much and Ill speak to you again after the race..
With Love, Carisa xoxo
------------------------------------------------------6/16/08 Update
Well, I did it! I completed the San Diego Rock N Roll marathon!!! It was a hectic weekend and luckily I had my best friend by my side so I could focus in the race and she could focus on the other stuff. Never in a million years would I be able to describe the feeling I still have from crossing that finishline and accomplishing my goall. Each and every one of you helped me finish the race, whether it was your monetary donation, emotional support, or both...every single one of you were in my heart as I completed those 26.2 miles. Because of your support we are that much closer to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and bringing increased hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.
Thank you again...and Ill see you at the next finish line.
Much Love, Carisa
