There is No "I" in TEAM!

A major part of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program is the TEAM aspect. I know I've referenced this a few times, but I'm not sure if I've really explained the whole deal. Really, at the end of the day, it's part of what makes this whole experience so fun and addicting!

Here in Kansas City, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has a local chapter, which is the Mid America Chapter. We cover a large part of Missouri and a large portion of Kansas. The Team in Training (TNT) team I'm on is under the Mid America LLS. Under our Mid America LLS TNT team, there are several teams training all at once. Each separate "sub" team is training for a different marathon, and one very tough team training for a triathlon. There are also seasons. We are training with the 2010 Fall season, as our events are all in the fall.... (DUH! LOL). Anyway, the team I'm a part of is the Nike Women's Marathon, which will be in San Francisco, CA. There is also a team training for the Waddell and Reed KC Marathon, and the team training for The Nation's Triathlon in DC.

Each team has a fantastic support system, which includes team Mentor's. The Mentor's are experienced in this program and help with training, fundraising, moral, etc... Our Mentor's for Nike is Aimee and Amy. Not kidding! I know very few Amy's (or Aimee's), and now, I know two fantastic ones!!! Tonight Aimee and Amy hosted a BBQ for our team. We all got a chance to bond a little more and to learn more about each other. We gathered with good food, and really had time to share some amazing stories on why we are embarking on this experience. Needless to say, when it was my turn to share - I did the Oprah "ugly cry" thing when I spoke of my dear Michelle and how much I miss her everyday. Regardless, with every mile I log with my TNT Team, I feel I could be making a difference for others who could be in Michelle's position in the future.

SO, as the evening went on the the sharing went on, I sat back and realized this experience is not about myself, or even Michelle. I've now really become a part of something much bigger! Marathon running is an individual sport, but somehow The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has turned this into a very cool team sport. The camaraderie and encouragement is amazing and I've been blown away by the ease of instant "friendship" and acceptance I've found with my new teammates. I suppose this adds to the addiction of the program. I left the evening feeling like I'm EXACTLY where I'm supposed to be, doing EXACTLY what I'm supposed to be doing!

You can still be a part of OUR Team! You can find out about your local TNT Chapter or you can help us find a cure by visiting http://pages.teamintraining.org/mid/nikesf10/ajohnsotl9 and donating what you can...

Blessings to you!
~AJ

The Honor is All Mine

Part of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training program is to learn more about blood cancer, and to become more involved in their mission. In order to do so, each team is given an Honor Patient. When I first joined Team in Training, I thought the idea of an Honor Patient was cool for those needing to put a face with the disease, but I already had my face and personal drive. I had Michelle pushing me to make a difference. Regardless, I was interested in how the Honor Patient deal worked but was somewhat skeptical at the all the while.


I'm sure you are all sitting there thinking I've now hit the height of hypocrisy. Skeptical?? I've been personally touched by leukemia with someone I love very much, and now I'm skeptical about being put in touch with someone else who is fighting for their life. What kind of a jerk am I?? Well, it wasn't that simple. Blood cancer is nasty. Well, any cancer is nasty. For any of you who really know me, knows I'm a much more tender hearted person then I let on. In my mind, I was expecting to see a small, frail child, or someone who, like Michelle, looked and acted very ill and could possibly be dying. For me, the thought of becoming "attached" to someone else who has blood cancer was an almost unbearable thought.


Fast forward to our kick-off party. Back at the first part of June, we had a big kick-off party, where everyone with the Mid-America Chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training program got together to finally meet face-to-face. We all broke-up into our actual team, which is based on which marathon (or for a few elite few, a triathlon) you are participating in. For me, it will be the Women's Nike Marathon in San Francisco, CA. Anyway, each team is assigned their Honor Patient. Our team, was the only team who's patient was at the party. To my surprise, the gentleman who addressed us seemed to be near my age... He is a father of two young boys and oddly, prior to his leukemia diagnosis, he was an avid marathon and triathlon participant.


Matthew Mellor addressed the entire room and gave us insight into his diagnosis with a rare form of leukemia, CML, his treatments, and his life, both before and during cancer. Needless to say, by the end of his talk, I was in tears. Suddenly my new "hobby" had become even more real. I suddenly had another "Michelle" right in my face and this one could talk back to me. It made me miss her so much more, but it made me more determined to help find a cure. Not just for her, but for Matthew and his wife and boys.


Well, to my excitement - Matthew is now in remission!! The oh, so sweet word has finally came for him and his loved ones! During his time of trials and hardship he never lost his faith or his determination that he would triumph over leukemia. He kept up his physical strength as much as possible and to everyone's delight, last Sunday, Matthew just participated in his first triathlon since leukemia.


A fellow TNT member, Kay, and I went to Shawnee Mission park to support Matthew in his triathlon. He amazed us both with how well he tackled the swimming and biking part of in his race. We were so excited for him. Not so much for the race, but more for what the day the race signified for him. Just as Matthew was rounding the final part of the bike portion, the race was cancelled because of a bad storm. Regardless, he was a serious winner!!!


SO, now I'm thinking the term "Honor Patient" is completely wrong... I've learned so much from my Honor Patient. BOTH of them. Michelle and Matthew have taught me more than I could ever imagine. It's funny but I somehow wonder if they were cut from the same mold, so to speak. They both have shown more grace and dignity than most people would in their situation. They both have a tremendous amount of heart and have been determined to triumph over anything. For me, I am the one who is honored. The honor has been mine to not only know them, but to compete for them. To say I'm a part of THEIR team has made me feel more honor than I have felt in a long time...

Please honor them and their fight by joining our team and by helping us all find a cure!!! We still need your help and your donations!

Thanks!!

~AJ

Walking, and Running, and Fundraising, OH MY!

Oh my, what a month! Well, so much has been going on... First let me start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who made it out to Sweet Tomatoes to help me celebrate my Birthday and most importantly, to help support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm not sure how much money we raised, but we did have a good time!

Well, the past month or so has been INSANE to say the least. Training has taken off full force... I will admit, I've been most nervous about the training; not the fundraising. I'm delighted to report however, the training has actually been fun! The hardest part is during the week. I have to maintain a strict training regimen our coaches have planned all week, but this is independent. The exciting part is our Saturday team training sessions. I've made some new friends, and honestly, as crazy as it sounds, I enjoy getting up at 4:30 AM to make a 6 AM run! Okay, I'll be 100% honest - I'm not exactly running yet, but I am getting into a little jogging. Regardless, we are working up to some serious mileage!

At the top of the page, the picture I put up is of a rainbow Kellie took while we were driving back home. It was after our first team training session. After the session, we had a fitness and nutrition workshop. There was so much information to digest, but when we got back in the car, we both felt we were EXACTLY where we are supposed to be! The entire experience has been amazing. I'm getting so much from this experience. Far more than I feel I'm putting into the deal.

So, fundraising... Well, I am past what the program calls our "recommit" amount. This is good! I had until the end of August to make this mark, but I'm early, so hopefully the momentum will continue! Kellie and I have teamed up on our efforts. The most recent was during the ADRL Hardee's Independence Drags IV at Heartland Park Topeka. The race team I still do PR for has been a tremendous help and supporter of the cause, so they offered their services to help us and LLS out! I'm so happy to report, we were able to raise over $1500 in just over a day! Unfortunately, the race rained out - so needless to say, we didn't do as well as we had hoped, but every dime matters. We never could have hit that amount if it wasn't for some dear friends of mine in the racing business! I want to give a big thank you to Gaylen Smith and Lenmar Motorsports, Frankie "Madman" Taylor, Mike Castalana and his team, and Keith Goolsby of Superlifts. Those teams all gave over $100!! The support of the racing community has been such an inspiration! You can read all about our efforts here - http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/news/14646-barklage-brothers-racing-for-a-cause-

SO, Emotions?? Well, I miss my dear friend Michelle. She is after all the reason I've gotten involved. She is still holding her own but still in a coma. It's come to the point I can barely drag myself to the hospital. I just miss her so much. During my fundraising efforts, I've had the honor of meeting so many who have had loved ones fight blood cancer. I never knew how many people are effected. During my journey, I've discovered every four minutes, someone new in the USA is diagnosed with blood cancer and only $1000 will give 10 children cancer med's for an entire month. Kinda puts things in prospective uha??

Well, if you are so blessed to have healthy family and friends, thank the Lord for your blessings. If you are one of those who are sick or have a loved one who is sick, remember - this journey we are doing is for YOU!

Remember, if you haven't donated and you can - please visit http://pages.teamintraining.org/mid/nikesf10/ajohnsotl9

Every dime helps!

Thanks!

~AJ