Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker
College Student, Katye McNulty, Makes a Difference as a Team In Training Member
Katye McNulty, 21, of Timonium, Maryland, was never much of a runner but this summer a purple brochure turned up in her mail that caught her eye. She almost tossed it but something made her look twice. Next thing she knew she had dragged her father to an information meeting for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training charity sports training program, and they were hooked. They signed up, along with her uncle, to do the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Half Marathon, which they completed on January 9. They worked out as part of a team for over four months, with high caliber certified coaches encouraging them every step of the way. In return, they raised $19,000 to support blood cancer research and patient services.
"I'm not exaggerating when I say my TNT journey changed my life," McNulty says.
Now she is a mentor for the Maryland chapter of LLS Team in Training program, helping motivate newcomers to the program, giving them advice on fundraising.
McNulty is currently training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in March. A student at Loyola University, McNulty opted for the Virtual Team In Training program, which offers all the benefits, from personalized training from certified coaches, fundraising support and transportation to the venue of your choice, but provides the coaching via an online component. Teammates can communicate with each other via social networking such as Facebook.
When Katye is training she has several close family friends in mind. There is Lindsey, a young mother and wife, battling lymphoma for the fifth time. There is her mother's cousin, Bunny, who died from lymphoma several years ago. And a friend of a friend from high school, Amanda, who died at age 15 from acute myelogenous leukemia.
"My first attempt at "training" was a horrible two mile run/walk that I barely made it through. I wanted to give up but I remember the women I was honoring with this journey. If these three women could endure what they did, then heck I could push myself through these 13 miles!" Katye recalls.
Katye enjoyed her Disney experience so much the first time she chose to return for Disney's Princess Half Marathon which will bring women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney princesses are the inspiration for the weekend's events, with a focus on the attributes each princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance and strength. The route will take participants from the Epcot Center parking lot through the Magic Kingdom® Theme Park, Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle.
"I grew up thinking I was Belle (that's actually what my boyfriend calls me) and the whole idea of an entire race based around the princess fantasy was just amazing," says Katye. "I love that you get to pick your favorite princess for your bib and that the medal is a tiara! Two of my favorite things, princesses and TNT together!"
Team In Training is currently recruiting for its summer season. To learn more visit www.teamintraining.org.
Team In Training Participants Take On Half Marathon to Help Find Cures
Participants in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) program are excited to take part in the inaugural Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend on March 7, 2010.
One of those participants is Rebecca Hite, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., who will run the half marathon to honor her mother, who died in January 2008, after a three-year battle with lymphoma of the central nervous system.
"It was a life changing event," says Hite. "After watching her slow progression of dying, I just had this strong desire to do something - anything to fight back."
Hite learned about TNT and after learning about the work LLS does to fund research to find cures she know it was the right cause for her to support.
"I wanted to be involved, for the memory of my mother and to honor all those who are battling cancer," says Hite. "Being a non-runner, I saw that TNT would help me to reach my goals of helping to fight back by providing fundraising support, coaches, mentors and group runs."
On Jan. 10, 2009, Hite complete her first half marathon at the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon weekend and this spring will take on another half. She will be joined her sister, Tamara, from California. Together they are calling themselves "Team4Hope."
As Team In Training participants, Rebecca and Tamara get four to five months of preparation with certified coaches and enjoy the camaraderie of a supportive group of teammates. They get to chose from more than 60 accredited events and can chose among marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, century (100-mile) cycling events or hike adventures. In return, participants raise funds to support blood cancer research and patient services. TNT participants receive tools and support for their fundraising, including a personalized fundraising web page.
To learn more about Team In Training, please visit www.teamintraining.org
Tampa Women Honor Loved Ones' Battle With Cancer by Taking on Half Marathon
Holly Garlick, 40, of Tampa, has enjoyed running on and off over the years, and even trained on her own for a half marathon a few years ago. But when her father was diagnosed several months ago with Waldenstrom's macroglomulinemia, a lymphoma that starts in the bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal level of a type of protein, she decided this time she would take on a half marathon with a purpose.
She was familiar with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) (www.teamintraining.org) program through a friend who had participated a few years ago. She signed on to train with TNT for the 2010 Disney's Princess Half Marathon, and in return, she will raise funds to support blood cancer research and patient services.
This half marathon will bring women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney princesses are the inspiration for the weekend's events, with a focus on the attributes each princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance and strength. The route will take participants from the Epcot® Center parking lot through the Magic Kingdom® Park, Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle.
With a 6-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, Holly figured this would be a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a weekend at the theme parks while she also tackles this physical challenge in honor of her father.
"It will be a nice celebration for the whole family, and I'm going to do this run!" she says.
Holly says she has enjoyed the weekly group runs as a member of TNT. "It's very helpful to be part of a group on those runs. And I really enjoy hearing the people's stories of why they joined."
Another Tampa resident, Jamie Dietrich, 38, a physical therapist, is also taking on the half marathon to honor a loved one. Her roommate from college developed Hodgkin lymphoma and died after battling the disease for more than three years.
Her friend received information and support from LLS. And now, despite never having run more than three miles prior to this, Jamie wants to give back to LLS as a way to say thanks and try to help others avoid her friend's fate. Jamie has high praise for the TNT program. "Everyone in the organization has been wonderful, and very supportive. After some tough training our coach sent us some very motivating emails," she said.
TNT participants receive a four- to five-month comprehensive training program with certified coaches and a supportive group of teammates. Participants can chose to walk or run a full or half marathon, or participate in a triathlon, 100-mile century bike ride or hike adventure.
To learn more about Team In Training, please visit www.teamintraining.org.