My foot and hip are bothering me this week quite a bit, but I'm determined to make it across the finish line Sunday. These posters help.
Showing posts with label MMRF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MMRF. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Motivation
My foot and hip are bothering me this week quite a bit, but I'm determined to make it across the finish line Sunday. These posters help.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Final Pre-Race Update: Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time
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| Brooke (on left) and Brady (on right) |
Hello!
It’s hard to believe that this is the last update Brooke and I will send prior to the Chicago Marathon. This week we are making final preparations for the race—we’re thinking about getting sufficient sleep and eating properly. We’re setting aside our race outfits. We’re stocking up on energy gels and sports beans for the big day. We are getting ready for the marathon!
While Brooke and I look forward to crossing the finish line on Sunday, I, for one, will mourn the end of this journey. This race has dominated my thoughts and conversations for the past eight months. What will I talk about after 10.10.10?
We feel so humbled that we’ve had the opportunity to honor our dad by bringing awareness to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and raising money for research. Our part may be small, but we’re helping fight cancer. The money we’ve raised won’t bring our dad back, but it’s helping fund research that will prolong the lives of other dads and moms. We couldn’t be happier about that.
THANK YOU!
Our supporters – all of you – have made this journey memorable. Thank you for believing in us and the cause! As we run 26.2 miles on the streets of Chicago, we will think of you every step of the way.
We exceeded our goal and have raised $4,780. We’d love to reach $5,000! If you haven’t made a contribution but want to support the cause financially, it is not too late. You can donate by going here. We will continue accepting donations through Oct. 24. All of us have been impacted by cancer. Your dollars not only benefit multiple myeloma patients but have the potential to affect all cancer patients.
We want to say an extra thank-you to those who’ve committed to traveling to Chicago for the marathon. We look forward to sharing this experience with you! We understand getting in the car and driving to Chicago is impossible for most. We will still feel your love and support on race day!
I also want to thank Brooke for her courage to sign up for her first marathon. I know Sunday will be a challenge for her. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, marathons are hard (they’re fun, too!). But she’ll get to look back on 10.10.10 and know she did something very tough to achieve something very good. I’m so proud. I know our dad – wherever he is – couldn’t be prouder of his little blonde bomber.
RACE DAY
You don't have to be in Chicago to experience the marathon! Spectators -- on your couch or in downtown Chicago -- can electronically track multiple runners along the race course by receiving real-time updates via e-mail or text message throughout the race. Updates will be received as runners cross the 10K, halfway (13.1 miles) and 30K checkpoints, as well as the finish line. To sign up for alerts, go here.
You will need the following information for updates: Brady Gervais (Bib #42205), Brooke Ortmann (Bib #42207). My husband Ben (Bib #6739) will also be running the marathon.
Additional information for those who plan to attend the race and/or want to learn more about it can be found from the following sources:
Chicago Marathon
Timeout Chicago
Runners' World
Again, thank you! We hope to make you proud on Sunday!
“I can't wait until this time next week...that means I will have completed 26.2! Whoop! Whoop!” – Brooke
Best,
Brady and Brooke
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Neglect
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| Brooke poses before a fun run (December 2009) |
Honestly, I don't know how it's impacted her. What I do know is that I'm proud of my sister. She loathes running. Absolutely hates it. She doesn't spring out of bed in the morning to run. She waits until after work to do it. Training for her first full marathon is the equivalent of a chore.
Yet, she's about to run 26.2 miles because she wants to honor our dad's memory. She wants to bring attention to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and do whatever she can to end cancer.
I couldn't be more proud.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Running for Good
Since February, I've been running for a purpose bigger than myself. That purpose is to honor my late father by helping to fight cancer.
As you read here, I'm running the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and raising money to fund critical cancer research. This research will not only bring treatment to multiple myeloma patients; it has the potential to aid and prolong the lives of other cancer patients as well.
Starting tomorrow, I will use running for another social good. I have decided to run as a volunteer with Back on My Feet, an organization born out of one woman's desire to help homeless people.
"BOMF is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." -- Back on My Feet website
I believe running has the power to transform individuals, so I couldn't be happier about the mission of this organization.
Back on My Feet's chapters are predominantly located on the East Coast. But, the organization is expanding. The Chicago chapter launched this week. And a chapter is scheduled to launch in Minneapolis sometime in 2011. For more information about this excellent organization and to see if a chapter is coming to a city near you, click here.
In somewhat related news, I started auditing a class at the Kellogg School of Management this week. The class is about leading the mission-driven enterprise. My hope is that the skills and knowledge I will take away from this class will make me a more effective volunteer and employee.
As you read here, I'm running the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and raising money to fund critical cancer research. This research will not only bring treatment to multiple myeloma patients; it has the potential to aid and prolong the lives of other cancer patients as well.
Starting tomorrow, I will use running for another social good. I have decided to run as a volunteer with Back on My Feet, an organization born out of one woman's desire to help homeless people.
"BOMF is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." -- Back on My Feet website
I believe running has the power to transform individuals, so I couldn't be happier about the mission of this organization.
Back on My Feet's chapters are predominantly located on the East Coast. But, the organization is expanding. The Chicago chapter launched this week. And a chapter is scheduled to launch in Minneapolis sometime in 2011. For more information about this excellent organization and to see if a chapter is coming to a city near you, click here.
In somewhat related news, I started auditing a class at the Kellogg School of Management this week. The class is about leading the mission-driven enterprise. My hope is that the skills and knowledge I will take away from this class will make me a more effective volunteer and employee.
Friday, September 17, 2010
September Update: Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time
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| Brady, Mom (Becky) and Brooke after the Twin Cities 10-mile (2007) |
Tick tock. With the Chicago Marathon only 23 days away, Brooke and I have reached the final countdown to 10.10.10.
As we anticipate running the marathon in memory of our dad, we know that once we cross the finish line, this experience comes to an end. Despite the ups (getting to share our story) and downs (getting injured) of the past few months, this has been one heck of a ride. We’ll be sad when it’s over.
Fund-raising
After our last update, donations to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation poured in. Friends, family and several people we’ve never met stepped up to donate! Thank you for believing in us and the cause!
We’re pleased to share that in late August, we reached our goal of $4,000. Cori Ann and Nate Dahlager generously capped off our total so we could hit the $4,000-mark. To date, we have raised about $4,300. This includes $150 in proceeds from “Kicking Cancer’s Butt” T-shirt sales. Over Labor Day weekend, our cousin, Drew Hebig, sold approximately 30 T-shirts to friends and community members attending our annual hometown celebration, Box Car Days!
Though we reached our goal, we will gladly accept contributions through Oct. 24 – the final date to submit donations. Every dollar matters, and no amount is too small. Ninety-three percent of each contribution helps accelerate the cure because it goes toward the development of new multiple myeloma treatments.
Training
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| At the Twin Cities 10-mile, Brooke nears the finish line (2007) |
Getting excited to run the race is still a struggle for Brooke. Simply, she doesn’t enjoy running. Her husband Tony has been a huge supporter and always encourages her to run. He continues to run two to three miles with her and then hops on his bike for the rest of the run. They also bring their dog Cyrus, a 35-pound puggle, with them for their first few miles...but he can only run two :) Although Brooke isn’t looking forward to running for five hours, she said, she can’t wait to see all of our friends and family along the race course and at the finish line supporting us.
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| Brady is just steps away from the state Capitol at the Twin Cities 10-mile (2007) |
My husband Ben and I recently spent 12 days in the Pacific Northwest, where I was adamant about continuing to train. The running highlights included a 20-mile training run along Lake Washington in Seattle, the Oregon Wine Country Half-Marathon and the Bear Water Run in White Bear Lake, MN, where I had the opportunity to run with my former Pioneer Press colleague, Maria Reeve.
This weekend, I will participate in the Chicago Area Runners Association Ready-to-Run 20-miler before slowing down for the final three weeks leading up to the marathon. My tired legs welcome the break. Training, however, doesn't end for me after the Chicago Marathon. I will run the Philadelphia Marathon on Nov. 21.
Race Day
If any of you are interested in cheering for us in person or tracking us from afar, look for an e-update from us the week of the marathon. We will provide pace, race attire and bib information, as well as links to a map and a tracking tool.
We have already counted approximately 17 friends and family who are planning to travel from Minnesota to Chicago for the race! We can’t wait to see you!
Best,
Brady and Brooke
Thursday, August 19, 2010
August Update: Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time
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| Left: Brooke, Right: Brady |
About six months ago, Brooke and I signed up to run the Chicago Marathon on behalf of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). I don’t think either one of us predicted how the decision would transform us.
Brooke is running again. She hates running. After running a half-marathon five years ago on a bad knee, she had practically said goodbye to the sport. She still might not love it. But she’s out there, trying to put in the miles.
My involvement with the MMRF has ignited a fire I haven’t felt in a long time. As a result, I want to play a greater role in the non-profit sector. I’m volunteering more. I’m an active member of a committee planning a half-marathon in Evanston that will promote wellness in every ward of the city and connect runners – young and old. I have also agreed to help organize training runs for members of the MMRF Chicago Marathon charity team who live in the Chicago area. And barring any unforeseen problems, I will audit a class on the mission-driven enterprise this fall at the Kellogg School of Management. My hope is that participating in this class will equip me with the knowledge to be a better, more effective volunteer or employee.
Fund-raising:
The Chicago Marathon is only
If you are planning to donate, remember that every dollar matters. Whether you can contribute $5 or $50, it all helps! Ninety-three percent of your contribution goes directly toward the development of treatment for multiple myeloma. If you can’t contribute financially, you can still support us in other ways! Help us spread the word about our cause and the MMRF. Urge loved ones to get annual physicals. Send an encouraging note the week of the marathon.
Training:
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| From left: Brady, Gene, Becky, Brooke |
To assist Brooke with training, her husband Tony bought a bike so he could accompany her on long runs. He typically runs three miles with her before transitioning to the bike. His support doesn’t stop there. To entice her to follow her training plan, he pledged to give her $1 for every mile she runs between now and the marathon on 10-10-10.
This isn’t the first time I’ve trained for a marathon, but it is the first time while training for a marathon that I’ve looked forward to every run and done it—mostly—without complaint. It doesn’t hurt that I live in a city where the running culture is strong. I’m also surrounded by an amazing group of young women who run and love the sport as much as I do.
The power of purpose helps, too. On every run, I carry the memory of my dad and the knowledge that I’m running for a cause bigger than just myself. Our dad never laced up a pair of shoes to go running. But I sense, especially on the tough, long runs, that he’s taking every stride with me. Whether Brooke senses it, I know he’s taking every step with her, too.
Housekeeping:
Between now and the marathon, we will send out a monthly update in September and an update one week before the race. We also plan to share a race recap and photos after the marathon. If you are interested in receiving the next updates and race recap by e-mail, contact me at brady.jean@gmail.com.
All our best,
Brady and Brooke
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. -- Jim Rohn
Friday, August 13, 2010
Fund-raising 101: Companies can say 'no'
When my sister Brooke and I signed up to run the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) in our dad’s memory, our fund-raising expectations were low. Having never previously raised money for a cause, we didn’t know who of our family and friends would donate. We also believed the tough economy might prevent people from being able to contribute financially.
We were proved wrong. Friends and family stepped up to the plate, and donations flowed in, especially during the first several weeks of fund-raising. It was an exciting time, and my eyes often welled up with tears every time I received an e-mail alerting me a donation had been made. They still do.
Initially, we each planned on raising $1,000, or $2,000 combined. In June, we surpassed the $2,000 mark. As a result, we adjusted our goal to $3,000. In July, we surpassed that, too. Again we revised our goal to $4,000, not out of some competition to raise more and more money. We just want to help. Since its founding in 1998, we know the MMRF has made great strides in funding research for new multiple myeloma treatments and has been an invaluable resource for patients and their families. We wish it had been in the ring with our dad when he was fighting such an awful disease.
It’s in that spirit that Brooke and I contacted Justin Boots, our dad’s long-time employer. He worked there as a salesman until his death in 1995. I spent time on the road with him as a little girl, so I got to see firsthand his dedication to and love for the company.
In May, I mailed our first letter to the company, as directed on its website. I shared our story about why we were running the Chicago Marathon and asked for Justin Boots to donate $1,000. In return, the company’s logo would appear on our charity running and support team shirts. Additional publicity opportunities were offered, as well. I asked for a response by mid June. Weeks went by, and I heard nothing from the company. I enlisted the help of my dad’s close friends, who still had connections at Justin Boots. They e-mailed their friends and received favorable responses.
About a week and a half before the deadline, I still had not been contacted by anyone at the company. So, while I was in Minnesota, my sister and I put together an amateur photo shoot. As our mom photographed us, we ran in our dad’s cowboy boots, shorts and MMRF jerseys. I sent a photo collage and a hand-written letter requesting $500. I also posted the photos on Twitter to get the Justin Boots’ attention. As a result, I received a message that the company would be in touch.
Then, radio silence.
A week ago, I sent a new proposal to the company. And yesterday, I contacted the Balcom Agency, a Texas-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm that, according to its website, has Justin Boots as a client. I briefly stated why Brooke and I were running the Chicago Marathon, asked for a donation/sponsorship and requested to speak with the account representative for Justin Boots. Within hours, I received this response:
Dear Brady -
As a Berkshire Hathaway owned company, Justin Brands has certain limitations and this request falls outside the defined parameters Justin Brands has in place for their corporate giving.
Sincerely -
(name removed)
My mom warned me not to be disappointed if Justin Boots chose not to make a donation. She thought too much time had passed since our dad died, and a donation might not be a priority for the company.
I wasn't surprised by the rejection. I was, however, disappointed in the manner it was conveyed.
Indeed, Brooke and I hoped for a donation. But more importantly, we wanted the company to help us honor or dad.
We were proved wrong. Friends and family stepped up to the plate, and donations flowed in, especially during the first several weeks of fund-raising. It was an exciting time, and my eyes often welled up with tears every time I received an e-mail alerting me a donation had been made. They still do.
Initially, we each planned on raising $1,000, or $2,000 combined. In June, we surpassed the $2,000 mark. As a result, we adjusted our goal to $3,000. In July, we surpassed that, too. Again we revised our goal to $4,000, not out of some competition to raise more and more money. We just want to help. Since its founding in 1998, we know the MMRF has made great strides in funding research for new multiple myeloma treatments and has been an invaluable resource for patients and their families. We wish it had been in the ring with our dad when he was fighting such an awful disease.
It’s in that spirit that Brooke and I contacted Justin Boots, our dad’s long-time employer. He worked there as a salesman until his death in 1995. I spent time on the road with him as a little girl, so I got to see firsthand his dedication to and love for the company.
In May, I mailed our first letter to the company, as directed on its website. I shared our story about why we were running the Chicago Marathon and asked for Justin Boots to donate $1,000. In return, the company’s logo would appear on our charity running and support team shirts. Additional publicity opportunities were offered, as well. I asked for a response by mid June. Weeks went by, and I heard nothing from the company. I enlisted the help of my dad’s close friends, who still had connections at Justin Boots. They e-mailed their friends and received favorable responses.
About a week and a half before the deadline, I still had not been contacted by anyone at the company. So, while I was in Minnesota, my sister and I put together an amateur photo shoot. As our mom photographed us, we ran in our dad’s cowboy boots, shorts and MMRF jerseys. I sent a photo collage and a hand-written letter requesting $500. I also posted the photos on Twitter to get the Justin Boots’ attention. As a result, I received a message that the company would be in touch.
Then, radio silence.
A week ago, I sent a new proposal to the company. And yesterday, I contacted the Balcom Agency, a Texas-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm that, according to its website, has Justin Boots as a client. I briefly stated why Brooke and I were running the Chicago Marathon, asked for a donation/sponsorship and requested to speak with the account representative for Justin Boots. Within hours, I received this response:
Dear Brady -
As a Berkshire Hathaway owned company, Justin Brands has certain limitations and this request falls outside the defined parameters Justin Brands has in place for their corporate giving.
Sincerely -
(name removed)
My mom warned me not to be disappointed if Justin Boots chose not to make a donation. She thought too much time had passed since our dad died, and a donation might not be a priority for the company.
I wasn't surprised by the rejection. I was, however, disappointed in the manner it was conveyed.
Indeed, Brooke and I hoped for a donation. But more importantly, we wanted the company to help us honor or dad.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time
Curious about how training and fund-raising is going for the Chicago Marathon? Check out my e-update below.
Howdy friends and family,
Brooke and I are pleased to share another e-update. This month’s letter is info-packed (i.e. lengthy) so please sit back, relax and enjoy our letter!
We want to extend a big thank-you for supporting our efforts to raise money and awareness by running the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Since our last e-update, we reached a major fund-raising milestone: we surpassed the $2,000 mark! To date, we’ve raised approximately $2,290 for the MMRF. We couldn’t have done it without our friends and family! We feel blessed to be surrounded by such supportive people!
Fund-raising
We’re ecstatic about the money we’ve raised, and we hope to raise more for an organization in which we strongly believe. We want to help the MMRF fund new cancer treatments and extend the lives of patients.Our dad couldn't be saved, but we hope current and future patients will be!
Here’s a snapshot of some ways we’re trying to raise money for our charity:
Hy-Vee, a grocery store in eight Midwestern states, has offered to host a pie fund-raiser. If you live in Marshall, Minn., or will be in the area July 1-3, please stop at the store and buy a pie! Some of the proceeds from every pie we sell will go toward our MMRF fund-raising campaign. If you want to contribute your baking skills instead, please let us know! In addition to selling the pies, we’ll be making them at Hy-Vee the evenings of June 30, July 1 and July 2. Please e-mail brooke.averill@gmail.com for more details!
The MMRF is currently promoting a program called “You’ve Got Our Back”. In return for $500, companies that sponsor our Chicago Marathon team will get their logo on 300-plus shirts worn by our team and supporters at the marathon. Additionally, the companies will receive national goodwill publicity. If you know of a company that might be interested in supporting an awesome cause, please e-mail me at brady.jean@gmail.com for details. The deadline is June 25.
Training
During a recent trip home, I had the opportunity to run with Brooke. In an e-mail exchange following our run, she said our roles have reversed. When we were younger, Brooke easily left me in her dust. She was a track star; I golfed. But during our run two weeks ago, I “kicked” her butt. “I used to be the one to always beat you, but now you're well ahead!” she said.
We’ll see about that. I think we’re both going to have an excellent race on Oct. 10! I envision us crossing the finish line hand-in-hand.
Before we reach the finish line, we have to properly train. We each kicked off our 18-week training plans on June 7. One week down, 17 weeks to go!
Chicago Marathon information
Some of you have expressed interest in attending the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 10 (Sunday). Please come! We’d love to have a giant cheering section! If you’re on the fence, I still encourage you to book your hotel room now for the best rate and location. You can always cancel if you choose not to come. But if you wait to book, you might be left with few hotel options and high prices.
Bidding on a hotel through priceline.com is an excellent way to score a deal. You can’t pick your hotel, but you can pick your location (neighborhood area) and name your price. I’ve stayed in four-star hotels in Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit for between $60 and $80 because of priceline.com.
Click the below links for additional information:
Hotel, transportation and tourism information
Hotel distance matrix
Priceline
Best,
Brady and Brooke
P.S. If you'd like to donate to our cause, you can do so by going here.
Brooke and I are pleased to share another e-update. This month’s letter is info-packed (i.e. lengthy) so please sit back, relax and enjoy our letter!
We want to extend a big thank-you for supporting our efforts to raise money and awareness by running the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Since our last e-update, we reached a major fund-raising milestone: we surpassed the $2,000 mark! To date, we’ve raised approximately $2,290 for the MMRF. We couldn’t have done it without our friends and family! We feel blessed to be surrounded by such supportive people!
Fund-raising
We’re ecstatic about the money we’ve raised, and we hope to raise more for an organization in which we strongly believe. We want to help the MMRF fund new cancer treatments and extend the lives of patients.Our dad couldn't be saved, but we hope current and future patients will be!
Here’s a snapshot of some ways we’re trying to raise money for our charity:
Hy-Vee, a grocery store in eight Midwestern states, has offered to host a pie fund-raiser. If you live in Marshall, Minn., or will be in the area July 1-3, please stop at the store and buy a pie! Some of the proceeds from every pie we sell will go toward our MMRF fund-raising campaign. If you want to contribute your baking skills instead, please let us know! In addition to selling the pies, we’ll be making them at Hy-Vee the evenings of June 30, July 1 and July 2. Please e-mail brooke.averill@gmail.com for more details!
The MMRF is currently promoting a program called “You’ve Got Our Back”. In return for $500, companies that sponsor our Chicago Marathon team will get their logo on 300-plus shirts worn by our team and supporters at the marathon. Additionally, the companies will receive national goodwill publicity. If you know of a company that might be interested in supporting an awesome cause, please e-mail me at brady.jean@gmail.com for details. The deadline is June 25.
Training
During a recent trip home, I had the opportunity to run with Brooke. In an e-mail exchange following our run, she said our roles have reversed. When we were younger, Brooke easily left me in her dust. She was a track star; I golfed. But during our run two weeks ago, I “kicked” her butt. “I used to be the one to always beat you, but now you're well ahead!” she said.
We’ll see about that. I think we’re both going to have an excellent race on Oct. 10! I envision us crossing the finish line hand-in-hand.
Before we reach the finish line, we have to properly train. We each kicked off our 18-week training plans on June 7. One week down, 17 weeks to go!
Chicago Marathon information
Some of you have expressed interest in attending the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 10 (Sunday). Please come! We’d love to have a giant cheering section! If you’re on the fence, I still encourage you to book your hotel room now for the best rate and location. You can always cancel if you choose not to come. But if you wait to book, you might be left with few hotel options and high prices.
Bidding on a hotel through priceline.com is an excellent way to score a deal. You can’t pick your hotel, but you can pick your location (neighborhood area) and name your price. I’ve stayed in four-star hotels in Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit for between $60 and $80 because of priceline.com.
Click the below links for additional information:
Hotel, transportation and tourism information
Hotel distance matrix
Priceline
Best,
Brady and Brooke
P.S. If you'd like to donate to our cause, you can do so by going here.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
"I don't talk while running." -- my sister, Brooke
I received an e-mail this week with the subject line: May 25. My cousin wanted to remind me that May 25 was the date of my last post.
Oopsie.
I can explain my absence. I was in Minnesota from June 2-6, and I spent June 8-12 touring ballparks with Ben. But, sigh, here I am, back on my couch, with a few minutes to blog.
During my trip to Minnesota, I was finally able to run with my sister. I hadn't run with her since she signed up for the Chicago Marathon, and even though we're separated by about an eight-hour drive, it's important to me that we train "together."
When I woke up Thursday (June 3), I immediately dressed in my running clothes even though my sister Brooke had to work (she's not a morning runner...yet) because I was intent on running. I knew if I didn't push for a run, it wouldn't happen. Brooke was less enthusiastic about running, but I convinced her to go with me before dinner. Before leaving, she grabbed her iPod and told me, "I don't talk while running." Her husband turned to me and said straight-faced, "She doesn't like to talk when she runs."
How am I going to get through 26.2 miles running with my sister in silence? Nuh uh. No thanks. There will be talking. Not a lot, but there will be some conversation. Growing up, I was the one who talked and she listened. So I totally get how she likes her silence. But...words will be exchanged on Oct. 10. And she'll like it.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Look out, Lance Armstrong!
For the first time in nearly 12 years, I own a bike.While I'm first a runner, I want to incorporate biking into my repertoire of athletic pursuits. I don't necessarily plan to race in any triathlons any time soon, but I'd like the option if I so choose. And as I train for the Chicago Marathon this summer, cross-training will be a major component of my training program. Whereas I used to only run, I'm going to bike and strength train two days a week.
And it should be interesting.
I'm the kind of bicyclist who on my honeymoon in Hawaii had to ride with the guide at the front of the group because I biked too slowly, and our group could go only as fast as the slowest rider.
Even last night, as we biked 3/4 mile to Lake Michigan and then back home, my knees shook out of nervousness. I was sharing the road with cars. Scary stuff. I grew up in a town of 2,500, so I'm not used to sharing the road with cars. On the rare occasion that I met a car, it was moving slowly. Since I was a kid, I could bike on the sidewalk without getting hassled by the two cops that worked in town.
During the ride on my new wheels with my husband, Ben, he passed along the following tips:
1. Do not bike in the middle of the lane.
2. Do not take busy streets without a chaperone, er, I mean Ben.
3. Be aggressive. B-E aggressive.
We don't even need to address the helmet issue. I got a deal that included one, and I would have bought one had it not. My life is too important for me to not wear a helmet.
Look out, Lance. Brady's comin' for ya!
On a side note, my mom (Becky) and aunt (Lori) raised nearly $200 at a staff meeting today for the Multiple Myeloma Resarch Foundation on my sister's and my behalf. This money, combined with some cash my mom received from friends, will put us at approximately $1,550 raised since Februrary. Now, that's pretty awesome.
And it should be interesting.
I'm the kind of bicyclist who on my honeymoon in Hawaii had to ride with the guide at the front of the group because I biked too slowly, and our group could go only as fast as the slowest rider.
Even last night, as we biked 3/4 mile to Lake Michigan and then back home, my knees shook out of nervousness. I was sharing the road with cars. Scary stuff. I grew up in a town of 2,500, so I'm not used to sharing the road with cars. On the rare occasion that I met a car, it was moving slowly. Since I was a kid, I could bike on the sidewalk without getting hassled by the two cops that worked in town.
During the ride on my new wheels with my husband, Ben, he passed along the following tips:
1. Do not bike in the middle of the lane.
2. Do not take busy streets without a chaperone, er, I mean Ben.
3. Be aggressive. B-E aggressive.
We don't even need to address the helmet issue. I got a deal that included one, and I would have bought one had it not. My life is too important for me to not wear a helmet.
Look out, Lance. Brady's comin' for ya!
On a side note, my mom (Becky) and aunt (Lori) raised nearly $200 at a staff meeting today for the Multiple Myeloma Resarch Foundation on my sister's and my behalf. This money, combined with some cash my mom received from friends, will put us at approximately $1,550 raised since Februrary. Now, that's pretty awesome.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Brady and Brooke raise money for multiple myeloma research, one mile at a time
I have good news and bad news. The good news is I'm finally getting around to posting the story I wrote for my hometown paper, the Headlight Herald. The bad news is that I'm only posting the copy I turned in. It's the best I can do since a.) I don't have a PDF of the story, b.) a scanned copy of the printed article might be difficult to read.
So please enjoy the raw copy, sans edits, subheads and a headline.
Originally published in the Tracy Headlight Herald on 4-7-2010
By Brady Gervais
Six months from now, on a Sunday morning in October, my sister Brooke Ortmann and I will toe the starting line of the Chicago Marathon with 45,000 other runners.
We have signed up to run 26.2 miles – about the distance from Tracy to Tyler – on behalf of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Every step will be for our dad, Eugene Averill, who lost his battle with cancer 15 years ago this week. He was 46.
My sister and I were 10 and 11 when our dad’s body succumbed to multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. He never got to see us in action on the track field or on the golf course, wave to us from the stands at our high school graduation or walk us down the aisle when we got married. He'll never get to hold future grandchildren or grow old with our mother.
When he died, he left a void in us that has never been and never can be filled. His sisters, nieces and nephews, in-laws, wife, daughters and friends miss him always.
Brooke and I will log hundreds of miles training for the Chicago Marathon this summer for our dad, for the time he didn't get to have. For his family and friends who miss him. For the thousands of children who have lost a mom or dad because of multiple myeloma. For those who have suffered and survived. For those who won't. For paying better attention to our bodies.
Our dad was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 1993. Soon after his diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He spent the following summer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he had an autologous stem cell transplant, which means his own cells were harvested and frozen before treatment.
For a brief time following the transplant, he felt stronger. After another trip to the Mayo Clinic in December 1994, our family was hopeful Dad might go into remission. But in the early months of 1995, his body failed him again. No chemotherapy, treatment, radiation or surgery could save or prolong his life. In March, he went into the hospital in Tracy for the final weeks of his life. On April 4, he died.
Many of you reading this probably remember him. He wore Wrangler jeans, a starched button-down and cowboy boots most days of the week. At 6 feet, 5 inches, with shiny jet black hair, a handsome smile and confident gait, he was hard to miss. You might have grown up and attended Tracy Area High School with him, or played dice with him at the Red Rooster on weekday mornings.
He loved horses and spent years slowly cultivating a name for himself in the world of quarter and paint horses. If you ever passed by our former home west of Tracy on US 14, you would have likely noticed the sign: “Gene Averill Quarter Horses.”
Our family spent weekends at horse shows in Cannon Falls, Minn., in South Dakota, IowaKansas. At the time of my dad’s death, we owned dozens of horses, some bearing champion titles. and even
For more than 10 years, my dad made a living as a Justin Boots salesman, and he spent a lot of time on the road. I tagged along on two trips and even at nine years old, I could see how his clients respected him. For a time after my dad died, I was convinced that I would grow up to be a Justin Boots salesman just like him so I could preserve his legacy.
To my sister and me, we were princesses and our dad was our king. He was someone who could do a rockin’ Elvis Presley impression. He bought us ponies so we could learn how to ride horses. He brushed our hair after a bath and picked out outfits for us from Nordstrom so we would look our best on our first day of school. He took us to the Tracy Bakery for long johns.
I wish I could have held onto my dad and made him stay on this earth longer. Eleven years with a parent isn’t enough. With each passing day, the image of him gets fuzzier. This is what happens when you lose a parent as a kid.
Brooke, the tomboy of the family, lost her best friend. She and Dad did chores together; she helped him feed the horses and visit them in the pasture. She rode the three-wheeler with him and “helped” mow the lawn. He videotaped her climbing trees, playing with toads, catching squirrels and releasing them back into the wild.
“After he passed, I didn't have anyone to do these things with,” she told me.
Our mom was a source of strength and love, and it’s because of her that my sister and I thrived despite our father’s early passing. She went to every dance line competition and piano recital. She supported us when we competed in Miss Tracy. And it was my mom, along with my sister, who walked me down the aisle when I got married.
As runners, we are taught to listen to our bodies. If we hurt, we take a break from running. If the pain persists, we see a doctor.
For years, our dad never had an annual physical or saw the doctor when he felt pain. He complained of chronic back pain for years. He chalked it up to life. Between spending thousands of miles behind the wheel for his job and working with the horses, he was bound to ache now and then, right?
According to the MMRF, multiple myeloma is a cancer where the plasma cells in the bone marrow grow out of control, and the cancerous cells cause bone pain.
Dad put off seeing a doctor for too long. All it would’ve likely taken to determine the source of his pain was a simple blood test. If only he had listened to his body.
Since our dad died, the MMRF has helped bring four new treatments for multiple myeloma patients. My sister and I hope our efforts will help fund research for new treatments that will prolong the lives of the next generation of cancer patients.
As members of the MMRF team, we have pledged to raise a minimum of $2,000. Ninety-three percent of every dollar raised will go directly to research and related programming.
Brooke and I welcome your support, whether it’s in the form of a donation or encouragement.
Our dad was never a runner, but my sister and I like to think that on race day, he will be running every mile with us—probably in cowboy boots.
As you consider whether to donate, please note:
--The MMRF received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
--The foundation has raised $130 million since its inception in 1998 and has been able to fund 120 laboratories throughout the world.
--The MMRF educates and supports multiple myeloma patients.
Donating is simple. You can visit our donation page and contribute any amount by using your credit card.
Originally published in the Tracy Headlight Herald on 4-7-2010
By Brady Gervais
Six months from now, on a Sunday morning in October, my sister Brooke Ortmann and I will toe the starting line of the Chicago Marathon with 45,000 other runners.
We have signed up to run 26.2 miles – about the distance from Tracy to Tyler – on behalf of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Every step will be for our dad, Eugene Averill, who lost his battle with cancer 15 years ago this week. He was 46.
My sister and I were 10 and 11 when our dad’s body succumbed to multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. He never got to see us in action on the track field or on the golf course, wave to us from the stands at our high school graduation or walk us down the aisle when we got married. He'll never get to hold future grandchildren or grow old with our mother.
When he died, he left a void in us that has never been and never can be filled. His sisters, nieces and nephews, in-laws, wife, daughters and friends miss him always.
Brooke and I will log hundreds of miles training for the Chicago Marathon this summer for our dad, for the time he didn't get to have. For his family and friends who miss him. For the thousands of children who have lost a mom or dad because of multiple myeloma. For those who have suffered and survived. For those who won't. For paying better attention to our bodies.
Our dad was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 1993. Soon after his diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He spent the following summer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he had an autologous stem cell transplant, which means his own cells were harvested and frozen before treatment.
For a brief time following the transplant, he felt stronger. After another trip to the Mayo Clinic in December 1994, our family was hopeful Dad might go into remission. But in the early months of 1995, his body failed him again. No chemotherapy, treatment, radiation or surgery could save or prolong his life. In March, he went into the hospital in Tracy for the final weeks of his life. On April 4, he died.
Many of you reading this probably remember him. He wore Wrangler jeans, a starched button-down and cowboy boots most days of the week. At 6 feet, 5 inches, with shiny jet black hair, a handsome smile and confident gait, he was hard to miss. You might have grown up and attended Tracy Area High School with him, or played dice with him at the Red Rooster on weekday mornings.
He loved horses and spent years slowly cultivating a name for himself in the world of quarter and paint horses. If you ever passed by our former home west of Tracy on US 14, you would have likely noticed the sign: “Gene Averill Quarter Horses.”
Our family spent weekends at horse shows in Cannon Falls, Minn., in South Dakota, IowaKansas. At the time of my dad’s death, we owned dozens of horses, some bearing champion titles. and even
For more than 10 years, my dad made a living as a Justin Boots salesman, and he spent a lot of time on the road. I tagged along on two trips and even at nine years old, I could see how his clients respected him. For a time after my dad died, I was convinced that I would grow up to be a Justin Boots salesman just like him so I could preserve his legacy.
To my sister and me, we were princesses and our dad was our king. He was someone who could do a rockin’ Elvis Presley impression. He bought us ponies so we could learn how to ride horses. He brushed our hair after a bath and picked out outfits for us from Nordstrom so we would look our best on our first day of school. He took us to the Tracy Bakery for long johns.
I wish I could have held onto my dad and made him stay on this earth longer. Eleven years with a parent isn’t enough. With each passing day, the image of him gets fuzzier. This is what happens when you lose a parent as a kid.
Brooke, the tomboy of the family, lost her best friend. She and Dad did chores together; she helped him feed the horses and visit them in the pasture. She rode the three-wheeler with him and “helped” mow the lawn. He videotaped her climbing trees, playing with toads, catching squirrels and releasing them back into the wild.
“After he passed, I didn't have anyone to do these things with,” she told me.
Our mom was a source of strength and love, and it’s because of her that my sister and I thrived despite our father’s early passing. She went to every dance line competition and piano recital. She supported us when we competed in Miss Tracy. And it was my mom, along with my sister, who walked me down the aisle when I got married.
As runners, we are taught to listen to our bodies. If we hurt, we take a break from running. If the pain persists, we see a doctor.
For years, our dad never had an annual physical or saw the doctor when he felt pain. He complained of chronic back pain for years. He chalked it up to life. Between spending thousands of miles behind the wheel for his job and working with the horses, he was bound to ache now and then, right?
According to the MMRF, multiple myeloma is a cancer where the plasma cells in the bone marrow grow out of control, and the cancerous cells cause bone pain.
Dad put off seeing a doctor for too long. All it would’ve likely taken to determine the source of his pain was a simple blood test. If only he had listened to his body.
Since our dad died, the MMRF has helped bring four new treatments for multiple myeloma patients. My sister and I hope our efforts will help fund research for new treatments that will prolong the lives of the next generation of cancer patients.
As members of the MMRF team, we have pledged to raise a minimum of $2,000. Ninety-three percent of every dollar raised will go directly to research and related programming.
Brooke and I welcome your support, whether it’s in the form of a donation or encouragement.
Our dad was never a runner, but my sister and I like to think that on race day, he will be running every mile with us—probably in cowboy boots.
As you consider whether to donate, please note:
--The MMRF received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
--The foundation has raised $130 million since its inception in 1998 and has been able to fund 120 laboratories throughout the world.
--The MMRF educates and supports multiple myeloma patients.
Donating is simple. You can visit our donation page and contribute any amount by using your credit card.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Stay tuned...
Stay tuned...
--For an analysis after tomorrow's workout with a trainer at my gym. The trainer, who gave me my assessment back in November, is leaving to work at another (read: better paying) L.A. Fitness. I was the first girl (what does this say about me?) he approached at L.A. Fitness when he started in November, so it's only fitting we work out together on his last day. And no, he wasn't hitting on me back in November. He has a girlfriend, and he was just trying to score some clients. As much as I'd like to have a personal trainer, I can't afford one, especially with my mounting medical bills. There's a deal going on at L.A. Fitness tomorrow, which would make training sessions way more affordable. Since my trainer is leaving, though, he can't guilt me into buying sessions after our workout. Score! Another trainer at the gym said I could have a free session with him because I deserved it because, despite my fracture, I still worked out four to six times a week. I hope he makes good on his promise.
--For my story that ran in Tracy's Headlight Herald last week. The article did not appear in its entirety online. So I have to go old-school, make copies of the actual newspaper story, scan the article and post the PDF's on the blog. Be patient, dear readers.
--For an update on fund-raising for the MMRF. In addition to the story in the Headlight Herald last week, my sister and I enjoyed some coverage in the Chicago area, too. We haven't hit our goal yet, but we will.
--For an update on my injury and my return to running. Tomorrow marks one week since I got to ditch my crutches and air boot. I'm still not running, but I'm walking and enjoying every crutch-less step.
--For an analysis after tomorrow's workout with a trainer at my gym. The trainer, who gave me my assessment back in November, is leaving to work at another (read: better paying) L.A. Fitness. I was the first girl (what does this say about me?) he approached at L.A. Fitness when he started in November, so it's only fitting we work out together on his last day. And no, he wasn't hitting on me back in November. He has a girlfriend, and he was just trying to score some clients. As much as I'd like to have a personal trainer, I can't afford one, especially with my mounting medical bills. There's a deal going on at L.A. Fitness tomorrow, which would make training sessions way more affordable. Since my trainer is leaving, though, he can't guilt me into buying sessions after our workout. Score! Another trainer at the gym said I could have a free session with him because I deserved it because, despite my fracture, I still worked out four to six times a week. I hope he makes good on his promise.
--For my story that ran in Tracy's Headlight Herald last week. The article did not appear in its entirety online. So I have to go old-school, make copies of the actual newspaper story, scan the article and post the PDF's on the blog. Be patient, dear readers.
--For an update on fund-raising for the MMRF. In addition to the story in the Headlight Herald last week, my sister and I enjoyed some coverage in the Chicago area, too. We haven't hit our goal yet, but we will.
--For an update on my injury and my return to running. Tomorrow marks one week since I got to ditch my crutches and air boot. I'm still not running, but I'm walking and enjoying every crutch-less step.
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