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| Hi Everyone,
Wow, what an experience I had! I got home last week and haven't had time to update all of you just yet. I was also waiting for my husband to get my website up and running. He is still working on it. It should be up and running by this weekend. He has been working on it non stop for two days now. Okay, so here is my story. And you will get more on the website along with the pictures. So we fly out very early Friday morning to Portland. You will see all of our tired faces in the pictures. We were met by Judy from LLS in Orange County. She had everything organized for us. It was great. Now, as you all know I started this marathon because I thought it was a great cause and something I really wanted to do for myself as well. And as you know along the way came Debi. I'll tell you right now, Debi is going to be proud of this organization as will all of you. Okay, back to my story. So we left early Friday. We got to the hotel and checked in. We left right away to go get our bibs and packets for the race. A Bib is your number you wear on your shirts during the race. They had a huge expo for runners downtown Portland. Of course we walked from the hotel and back for that. Can't stop walking now! Then came Saturday night. We had a Pasta Party to carb load before the race. I never really thought there were more people involved with my group than the 10 of us! Well, there were 77 tables of TNT people eating Pasta that night. It was amazing to think they all raised money and they all trained for 5 months just like me. We had three speakers that night. and of course I didn't get the names of all of them either. And I wish I had. But they were all amazing. I'll tell you more about them on the website. But one in particular changed my life that night. And this one we called the "Leukemia Doc." This is what was on his singlet (race tank top). He told us about his research. He thanked us for raising 1.4 million dollars just from all the people in the room. Just for the Portland Race. And then he read us letters from a few of his patients. All the while he cried. He ran with us Sunday! At that moment, I decided I would do this again in a heart beat. It made me realize all the money we raised went to some great researchers. Not just some Doctors who don't care. After the Pasta Party we went back to my room to put names on our singlets. Someone brought some Puffy Paint and we wanted to write names and stuff on our shirts. Someone told me to write my name across the top because people will call your name. I didn't know what she was talking about, but what the heck I did it. Then along the straps of the tank I had written 4 Debi and 4 Alex. On the back we thanked our coaches. Now it is Sunday morning early. We are all pumped, tired and excited all in the same. We have a little meeting and take a bunch of pictures. Dumb me you will see had a sweatshirt on in the morning before the walk. So you won't see my singlet until later pictures. Then we head out to the starting line. It is still dark. In my fanny pack, I have my pictures of Debi and Alex. I was determined to finish this race in 7hrs. I knew I could do it. I felt good. I felt strong. the only thing concerning me was the 17th mile was a huge hill. I was ready. We get started. It's awesome. 8200 people approximately. All of a sudden a couple of miles into the race I hear my name being called out from everywhere. People cheering me on. People I had never met before. People who were reading my Singlet! It just keeps your adrenaline going. Then there are TNT people on the side telling us we look good, and strong and keep it up. At the 12th mile is my team captain and Judy handing me banana's and chips and water. Again Cheering me on. It was so awesome. I walked with some other ladies in between. Talking to everyone on the road. Every time I saw a mile marker I had to yell to everyone how many miles left. We couldn't wait to be in the single digits! Then came the 17th mile. I had just run downhill from the 16th. I started up the hill to the bridge. Was feeling great. But closer to the top, I was breathing heavy. Pulling out my cliff bars and pretzels. A little bit of Emergen C. I was almost in tears it was so hard. But I got to the top and was ready to quit. I took a break and took a picture. Someone asked me to take a picture of them and I obliged only if they would do the same for me. I got some energy back, but I was dying. That 18th mile was a killer. But I took out Debi and Alex's pictures and told them I was doing this for them. Oh, did I tell you I wrote there names on my arms as well? I looked at my arms and pushed on. At the 22 mile mark some of our coaches were there walking and talking to me. Asking me how I was doing. Then it was downhill and I told them I had to run! At this point I knew I was going to finish this race. And when they told me what time it was, I knew I was going to do it in 7hrs! So I'm now in the home stretch 25 is just down the hill. Only 1.2 more to go. I see one of the runners from my team cheering me on and telling me to go get my medal. I was almost in tears. I was almost there. I was going to do this. As I came around the corner there was a big sign with Roman looking Opera singing lady on it. Behind the picture was Opera music playing. I think the sign said "It's almost over' Get the significance? It ain't over till the fat lady sings? I was laughing but had to take a picture. Then one more corner. And there it was the finish line. I was walking and trying to run. On the monitor it said "7:12" I was so happy. Now remember that time is just when the gun went off. I didn't get across the starting line until 6 minutes after the first person! So my actual time was 7hr 6min 29 sec. If I had taken one less potty stop I would have made the 7hrs!! Well, my girlfriend from Oregon met me at the finish line. It was awesome. She led me to where I needed to go because I was brain dead. We waited with my team captain for the last two ladies from our group to come in. They finished at 9hr 45 min. We were so proud that we all made it across the line. And for such a great cause. So remember how I said I would never do a marathon without it being for TNT? Well, before we left my husband and I decided to do the LA marathon just by ourselves. Just to do a marathon together. Well, after the Pasta Party and then the marathon, we have both decided to do the LA one through TNT again. So between us we need to raise $3000. So be looking for our fundraising letter in the mail. Oh and something even more exciting. I have decided to coach/mentor the walkers from Loma Linda! I asked to do it and they took me up on it. So I am also recruiting walkers for the LA Marathon. If you would like to be a part of this amazing group, please contact me. We are doing our second training session tomorrow morning (Sat.) at 7am in Loma Linda off of Anderson. Okay here are some links for you to look at too. Portland Marathon Pictures-Go to 2002 pictures put in bib number 4613 and you will see me at the 22nd mile mark, the finish line and the final picture with my medal and T-shirt on. Marathon walkers- This is our website. Check back frequently for the pictures and updates and donation forms. Thank you for reading my e-mail. Thank you even more for making your donations to this wonderful cause. I will again be walking for Debi and Alex in the race. Please join me in this race. Love, Janine Stolze
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