Some Love for John Zeidner

I just read a great blog post on our friend, John Zeidner, which couldn't have expressed my thoughts any better for how amazing I think he is as a friend and advocate in the fight against cancer.

JZ, thanks for running Boston with me on Team LIVESTRONG, and for honoring me on your shirt. (Fastest I've ever run...!) The solidarity you've shown me through our fights against cancer is something I will not forget, and I am glad we were able to run this race together to celebrate Life.

Here's the link: http://ndwh2005.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/some-love-for-john-zeidner

Pic: Julie & John at the Boston Sox Game, hanging out before the big race.

Boston Marathon Highlights

There is no doubt that I'll have stories about this race to last a lifetime. Experiencing one of the most prestigious foot races in history is something I hope for every runner out there, whether as a qualified runner or a charity runner. The entire weekend and race is pure magic. There is no true way to share some of those moments, but here are some highlights of the weekend in Boston:

Total $ Raised for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) by Team LIVESTRONG: On our way to $150,000 (and still raising!) To read the LAF blog post on the Boston Marathon, click here. I am incredibly grateful to all of you who donated to my fundraising campaign in support of LAF and in honor/memory of those you love that are cancer warriors. THANK YOU.

Best Running Charity Teammates: To all of Team LIVESTRONG, you amaze me with your commitment to fighting cancer and kicking it to the curb! Your enthusiasm on the course, smiles and camaraderie will be remembered. Special thanks to John Z. for letting me rope you into this adventure with me, a continuation of our adventures as delegates at the LIVESTRONG Summit 2008. Many thanks to Colleen W. and Sarah A. at the LAF for coordinating this effort!

Best Running Travel Buddies:

Colin: My "Boston Buddy" or "bb", a fellow cancer survivor who celebrated his Sweet 16th re-birthday from cancer the day before the marathon!!

Pattie: Convinced me that I should run the Boston Marathon, even though at the point we were talking I was still undergoing cancer treatments

Happy: Showed true spirit as he ran after breaking his arm 2 weeks before the race, but completed every step of the 26.2 miles for charity

Coach Bill: Helped me through cancer treatments and an ankle injury to get me back into running shape for this race -- one tall order!!!

Best Traveling Cheerleaders: Angie & Cindy: Without you as our roadies and cheerleaders, we might have "lost it"...seriously. Angie, Cindy, Juliette & Rick: Thanks for flying in and being a bright moment for all the runners passing by your cheer station!

Memorable Pre-Race Events: By far, this was the best race Expo I have ever attended. Following the Expo, Team LIVESTRONG went to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox game! It was a great time to meet fellow teammates and relax before our race the next day. "Take me out to the ball game...."

Biggest inspiration: Having an interview with Serge, the runner who ran 25,000 miles around the world to help children, in the upcoming reality film, "Beyond the Epic Run." Check out their blog post and great footage from the Boston Marathon, which mentions "Cures Rock!" by clicking here. His belief that nothing is impossible matches well with my belief that everything is 100% possible. I thought about the following things he said to me during the interview many times during the race for inspiration:

* "Nothing is impossible as long as you are willing to pay the price for your dream."

* "My motivation was to be free, to be unique, to do something nobody else did, to help some children, the motivation just to live a fantastic, exciting, strange life." - Serge

(THANK YOU, SERGE!)

Funniest person seen on the course: Well, let's say 2 people. Near the end of my race, I found myself running the last half of the race with two men running in shoes and speedos who were cheering on their (highly embarrassed) teammate. I slowed down my pace just so my finish photo wouldn't have them in it (but in the online proofs, you'll see 'em).

Break-down moment: I surprised myself by keeping a calm and happy spirit during the race. I did not break down, but truly lived in every single moment on that course. However, I do admit to shedding joyous, happy tears as I warmed up in a hot shower after the race. In that moment, I understood that every step of that race had put my cancer experience behind me and had instead replaced it with an incredible warrior spirit. CURES ROCK!

Moments that Stunned Me:

* Every time a runner would run by me, slap my back and cheer that I was cancer-free (I had a survivor sign on my back). Every time a runner cursed me (jokingly) because I was passing them on a hill, and they saw the note on my back.

* Hearing the "wall of sound" about a half mile away from Wellesley College. The cheers and crowds were AMAZING! (No, I did not kiss a girl.)

My Favorite Race Workers - Military:
I tried to say, "thank you for your service" to every military individual I saw working the race course as I ran. The highlight is when they responded by smiling and then yelling me up Heartbreak Hill, in complete boot-camp yellin' style. There's nothing like a handful of military police yelling at you to "suck it up" that'll get you up that final Newton hill. Thank you for your support and service. Click here for the Boston Globe Photo of the Military Police on Heartbreak Hill.

Moment that Meant the World to Me: Seeing my twin sister running down Heartbreak Hill to cheer me on -- and she ran me all the way back up! At the top, Mile 21.5 (Boston College), I saw my dear friends who flew in for the race, Juliette & Rick (hanging from a tree!), cheering along with the LIVESTRONG crowd. Colleen from LAF ran with me a little farther. It was the final push of energy I needed to get through Mile 26.2, and it really made my heart smile. Thanks everyone!

Happiest Moment of the Race: Turning a hard left at the end of the race, and seeing the Boston Marathon Finish Line. It was the most amazing finishing chute I've ever seen! The lights, flags, crowds and moment of hearing your name read out as you near the finish line are priceless. It's amazing how even with all the people, I could still hear my sister yelling for me, and it was an amazing sight to see her, Rick and Juliette waiting for me right at the finish line (with warm and toasty clothes to stop my shivering...brrr...cold wind).

Surprise after the race: I was stopped 2 steps over the finish line by a Boston Globe reporter and asked about my LIVESTRONG story. It was a beautiful reminder that I had run that race in memory of or in honor of other cancer warriors, and that one day we WILL find a cure for cancer. The next day, I was shocked to see my finish photo in the Boston Globe sports coverage of the marathon! To view it online, click here.

There were so many moments that are captured in my heart from this experience. I have to be honest that the most amazing thing to me is the generosity of the donors who supported my training, race and fundraising on Team LIVESTRONG to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation!! Thank you. Your spirit and enthusiasm in fighting cancer will make a difference as we fight for a cure and better therapies for cancer patients.

UNITY IS STRENGTH. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. CURES ROCK!

Note: Double-click pics for a zoom view.

Pic #1: "No Stopping Monday" Signs on the roads. Great reminder at Mile 22.

Pic #2: Julie & John Z. - Fellow LIVESTRONG Summit 2008 Delegates and Team LIVESTRONG Runners

Pic #3: Team LIVESTRONG at Fenway Park cheering on the Red Sox (hey, no way I'm admitting to being a Padres fan while in Boston!)

Pic #4: Serge & Julie at Boston Marathon Expo, after interview on running for a Cause for my Cures Rock! blog & campaign

Pic #5: Yup, in 30 degree weather, he was in a speedo, and we were the same pace.

Pic #6: Back of our LIVESTRONG race shirts (Rick C. & Julie). Combined, survived cancer 5x, 4 marathons completed, 4 mountains climbed, and 2 rich lives lived.

Pic #7: All smiles nearing the 21.5 mile marker at Boston College after Angie ran me up Heartbreak Hill to the yells of the military crew. Thanks, all!

LIVESTRONG Blog: Team LIVESTRONG Runs Boston Marathon-Has Wicked Good Time

A new blog post was added to the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG Blog today about our Team LIVESTRONG adventures at the Boston Marathon!

Click the link below to read the story, "Team LIVESTRONG Runs Boston Marathon - Has Wicked Good Time."

LIVESTRONG Blog » Blog Archive » Team LIVESTRONG Runs Boston Marathon-Has Wicked Good Time

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Pic: Team LIVESTRONG at a post-marathon celebration Monday night, 4/20/09. In front, Sarah & Colleen, staff for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Crossing the Boston Marathon Finish Line and...

CAPTURING THE ELUSIVE B.A.A. UNICORN?...

...THE TIME OF MY LIFE! (5:41:42)

Everyone on Team LIVESTRONG that crossed the start line at the Boston Marathon crossed the finish line, which was a magnificent sight. To date, we've raised over $125,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation which exceeded our goal of $100,000! We'll raise funds for one month after this event, and are targeted to raise $150,000!!! Thank you to everyone that donated to this charity, flew into town to cheer for our team (and all the marathoners), cheered from their computers as they tracked the race, or supported in the many, many ways you all know how to do. A special thanks to the LAF crew, local LIVESTRONG Army and friends that brightened up the Heartbreak Hill section with their crazy cheerleading and to Angie & Colleen for running along side me for a bit. I knew I was home-free at that point and was all smiles through Mile 26.2.
Three months ago, I was fighting a serious ankle injury and going through cancer treatments when this opportunity to run for Team LIVESTRONG at the Boston Marathon came into my life. A few days before this marathon, I was given the "all clear" from my cancer, and I am determined that it will not come back. This race was not only a fundraiser for charity, but a way for me to intend that my fight with cancer is over (and cancer lost). You are heroes in the fight against cancer! THANK YOU!

Note: To see the picture of me crossing the finish line in the Boston Globe'sports coverage of the marathon, click here or go to this link: http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/gallery/04_20_09_the_finish?pg=30 .

Pictures (Double-click on any pic to see a larger size):

Pic #1: 113th Boston Marathon: My finish at Copley Square in Boston, MA.

Pic #2: Colin, Coach Bill and me after we finished our marathons

Pic #3: The Lance Armstrong Foundation "Survivor" card I wore during the race.

Boston Marathon Eve 2009

It's the night before the Boston Marathon and very few thoughts are going through my head. I am honestly truly excited for tomorrow. This has been an extraordinary weekend here in Boston. The city is filled with over 25,000 runners from countries all over the world. The spirit is intense, excited, nervous...and probably all three rolled into one. There is no doubt that there is a spirit of history and honor of this race and for our sport of marathon running.

I will be posting more blogs on the race after tomorrow's 26.2 mile run, but I did want to leave you all with a quote from an amazing man I met today --- Serge, the runner in the documentary reality film, "Beyond the Epic Run," which premieres in the U.S. this Spring 2009. His running journeys over 25,400 miles, 6 continents and 37 countries taught him an important lesson:

"Nothing is impossible if you accept you have to pay the price for the dream."

The 3's Are Wild!

In 3 days I'll be running the Boston Marathon...on the last day of my 33rd year in life...in celebration of kicking cancer's bootie 3 times in 3 years...and being cancer-free for about 33 days by race day)!

Take that, cancer! CURES ROCK!

LIVESTRONG Blog » Blog Archive » Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s $300 Million Commitment to Cancer

LIVESTRONG Blog » Blog Archive » Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s $300 Million Commitment to Cancer

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How To Track Runners During The Boston Marathon

Some of you were asking about bib numbers for Boston and how to track me and some of the elite athletes on race day. We run on Monday morning, April 20th. The race starts at 7:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (10:30 AM EST). TeamLIVESTRONG is in the second wave at 10:30 AM EST.

My bib number is: # 25277

*Note: If you have another friend you know running the race, you can look up their bib number at: http://www.baa.org/2009/cf/Public/EntryLists.cfm You can track them using the following information, but sign up BEFORE race day!!

Track Your Favorite Athlete:

Want to track pre-race favorites, such as Boston Marathon legend Bill Rodgers, as well as Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher as they aim to become the first Americans to win in Boston since 1985? Or, do you want to track your favorite Cures Rock! Blogger and see if she actually crawls across the finish line? Now you can by using AT&T Athlete Alert. To track your pre-race favorites, simply text RUNNER to 41234 and you will receive an SMS text message asking you to reply with the bib number of the runner you would like to track. (Again, my bib number is: # 25277 )

Visit http://www.baa.org/BostonMarathon/Att-Athlete-Alert.asp to view the names and bib numbers of the elite men and women fields. Once you've signed up, you'll receive the same updates as you will for your friends and family as they make their own way from Hopkington to Boylston Street. The service, available to US mobile phone users, will allow anyone to register for any of the elite bib numbers published on the Boston Marathon website and receive SMS text updates at 10km, Half-Marathon, 30km and their finish.

YOU WILL ALL BE IN MY THOUGHTS AS I RUN 26.2 MILES TO RAISE CANCER AWARENESS! LIVESTRONG! CURES ROCK!

'Twas the Week Before THE Boston Marathon...

A friend sent along a great link today to a 4 min overview video of the Boston Marathon. Click here to access the video.

In a little less than one week, I will be running the Boston Marathon on a charity bid with the Lance Armstrong Foundation's (LAF) "TeamLIVESTRONG." Raising funds for the LAF and participating in an event was one of my goals as a Summit Delegate for 2009. I thought I'd perhaps participate in one of the well-known LIVESTRONG Challenge events -- I never dreamed I'd be running the Boston Marathon, much less training for the Boston Marathon while going through cancer treatments. I am no different than the many other caregivers and survivors of cancer...many I know who are doing extraordinary things, like riding across the country from Disneyland to Disney World (Crazy-awesome, Michael!) to sky-diving around the world (Jamie, you rock!). After facing impossible odds, we've all learned how precious life is, and I know I've learned to enjoy every minute of it.

I run races to raise money for charity and to help "give back" for all the help I've received through my own cancer battles. I'm running Boston Marathon to raise funds for LAF...and I'm running it for me. I'm about 1 month out of cancer treatments, and I run to celebrate the amazing magic and light of life. I can honestly say that I'm not as prepared for this race, as I'd like to be, but it's not for a lack of trying. I was injured earlier this year and bounced back from that and treatments to get to a point to run this race. I owe all my doctors and running coaches huge (huge!) hugs for their guidance and help. I have no doubt that this was a team effort. So...my fellow "team" -- THANK YOU! --- for all of your donations, your cheers, your support, your solidarity, your advice and friendship as I head into this race. I am thankful for everything, including the honor to run such an amazing race for charity.

TeamLIVESTRONG Boston -- 1 Week to go!!! CURES ROCK!

Note: If you'd like to donate to support my fundraising for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, please go to my link by clicking here.

Great American Duets (NPR's Prairie Home Companion)

I am taking a minor detour from my usual Cures Rock! blog topics to mention something pretty fun. Tonight, my sister's friends from Jackson Hole, WY - Anne and Pete Sibley - performed on NPR's Prairie Home Companion's "Great American Duet Sing-Off" as finalists in the PHC talent competition. Listen online at http://www.prairiehomecompanion.com/.

They won 1st place in this yearly talent show competition and the hearts of the judges! (Congrats, Anne & Pete!)

Good, clean, wholesome, Easter weekend fun. :)

Check out their web site: http://www.anneandpetesibley.com/ HAPPY EASTER!!!

2 weeks 'til The Boston Marathon!

It was hard to believe as we wrapped up our long 18-20 miler train run a week ago that another week would slip by so fast, but it did. In exactly 2 weeks about this time, I'll be sitting down to beer and pizza after my first Boston Marathon. Honestly, it's hard to not see that end-point without celebrating all the days and moments that preceded it. This effort was about running for charity (The Lance Armstrong Foundation), and we've raised ~$94,000 for LAF! I have all of you to thank for that effort! This is also the first race that I'm running for me. I run all the other races for other survivors and patients, but this one is for me. It's about me kicking my own cancer to the curb for the 3rd year and fighting back from letting it define me. This, as you know, will be followed by 2 more marathons in the following 2 months to run for awareness of those that still fight the good fight, or that chose to leave this world in dignity.

It's not too late to still donate! The goal is to raise $100,000 by race day, and we can do it! Click here to donate to my fundraising, or copy/paste the following link: To support me, go to: http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/juliewboston09

If you'd like to follow my progress through the race, sign up online! Follow the instructions on this web page which you have to do prior to race day. http://baa.org/BostonMarathon/Att-Athlete-Alert.asp Signing up will allow text messages to be sent to your phone or your email as I pass key areas of the race (10k, Half, etc.). My BIB # is: 25277

Pic #1: Boston Athletic Association Logo
Pic #2: Patie, Marcie & Julie (in front, in order) running the Boston Marathon in 2 weeks! Cathy & Heahter (in back, in order) have been are awesome supporters both for LLS & LAF!

LIVESTRONG Blog: Young Adults: Listen Up!

Click here to read the LIVESTRONG Blog posted today to kick off the Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week!

LIVESTRONG Blog » Blog Archive » Young Adults: This is Your Week. Listen Up!

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National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

April 5th - 11th is Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. It is time we educate others on this underserved population....and heck, it's the only perspective I know, since I fall in this group. While I personally believe we need to find a cure for cancer and better prevention/therapies in all age groups, I think this is a great week to post information about our national activities and YA information throughout this week. Big thanks to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for being a part of the Young Adult Alliance.

House Passes FDA Regulation of Tobacco

Yesterday was a big step forward on the tobacco front --- The House of Representatives passed a bill allowing FDA regulation of tobacco with a vote of 298 to 112.

Click on this link to see how your Congressman voted yesterday, and don't forget to follow-up with letters expressing your thanks for their involvement or concern if they did not support it. My sincere thanks to Congressman Brian Bilbray for supporting this bill!

So much of this is due to the hard work of so many of you to champion this cause with your local legislators in awesome grassroots efforts. I cannot thank you enough for all that you do!! Let's keep our efforts moving, as it's expected the Senate will take up this issue later this year (and it's expected that Obama will pass into law). WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE especially in a tobacco substance area that causes so many cancer-related deaths.

Pic: An EU tobacco warning label. I appreciated the very obvious label when I was traveling.

20 days until THE Boston Marathon...

Only 20 more days until the Boston Marathon! I am officially in my "taper mode" before the race, but don't let that fool you, as that still means my run this Saturday will be a half marathon distance(13 miles). I'll be running with other TNT and Team LIVESTRONG teammates Saturday at 7 a.m., meeting at Torrey Pines State Beach (outside parking entrance at Carmel Valley Rd/Del Mar Scenic Pkwy). Come out and experience what TEAM is like! I am also still actively fundraising, which is the whole reason I lace up my running shoes....thinking there will be a day when I can finally sleep in on a Saturday because we found a cure!!!

I owe a HUGE thank you to all of my supporters, as we hit my fundraising goal for the Boston Marathon, and raised $3,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation! THANK YOU!!! I am very aware how tough the economy is right now, and I know that many of your donations came from your heart and were a stretch of your finances in order to help others in need. You are my personal heroes (I hug heroes.). For those that have not yet donated but interested, I am still fundraising and working towards my Cures Rock! Campaign goal of $10,000 this season for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! To donate, please click here or copy/paste this link into your Internet browser: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr09/CuresRock . My sister just added a donation of $520 to my fundraising, which is the latest proceeds from the "Bracelets 4 Cures" --- gorgeous, handmade "Cures Rock!" cancer awareness bracelets, designed for this campaign. 100% of the proceeds go to LLS. Click here for more info and pictures!

CURES ROCK! (Cancer does not.) Join our campaign to kick cancer to the curb!

Pic #1: Julie sitting in front of the chalked "Welcome to Boston" notes left for her at the end of her 18 mile run

Pic #2: Bracelets 4 Cures