It’s kind of a nice place to be…you should be close to recovery… enjoying a little extra time…immersed in holiday cheer…and hopefully still floating on some of your big accomplishment high!

…and why not?  Race day was an amazing day…from our gathering at 6:45am to take a team picture to the crowded energy and buzz of the start line to winding through the dreary…yet somehow adrenaline-pumping… streets of Seattle to celebrating with your teammates in the Victory Recovery Area to the spectacular post-race party where I got hear all about your experiences and plans for the upcoming year…It really was an awesome day!

And…while I was busy mingling at the party…trying to touch base with all of you….I found myself talking to one of our new members who was quick to tell me how much she enjoyed the training and the event and getting to know everyone…She said that she felt like she’d discovered a whole new kind of crazy!   A kind of crazy that involves getting out of bed early on Saturday mornings to train; learning to tolerate Gatorade and Power Gels; allowing Thanksgiving weekend to be swallowed up not with a 20# bird, but by a 13.1 mile running/walking event that wound its way through some of the hilliest streets in Seattle on what was predictably a chilly, wet, dreary day.

But as crazy as all of that is…I think there’s yet another kind of crazy we should recognize here.  It’s all of the crazy things that this team accomplishes every day….the unexpected…those things that take people by surprise and change the way they view the world…that people hear about and say…Crazy!  I can’t believe it!   Things like…you had a transplant?  and you say you just did a half marathon?  huuhh…It didn’t take you all day?  your family joined you?   you trained with other people who’d had transplants??  and you lost 10 pounds? your blood pressure improved?  …excuse me…did you just say it was fun??!   That’s CRAZY!!!

Honestly…the world could use more of that kind of crazy….more defying the odds..more working together…more believing in the power of teamwork…more encouragement…more appreciation…and more just getting out there to give it a try!   Each one of you I’m sure has had some doubts about what you were doing at some point…if not this year…11 years ago…and it’s easy to think that you hung in there because you wanted to tell people that you ‘d done a half marathon…but really I think a big part of it was because you found that you were improving and getting stronger…. learning new things and feeling better about yourself….getting to know new people and investing in their lives….and being willing to step out and take those kinds of risks…well…it’s true…it’s just plain crazy!

And when it gets right down to it…we’ve got a lot of examples of crazy on our team…just take a look…
•    Of the 20 UWMC transplant recipients participated in the 2011 Seattle Marathon events…3 had received their transplants in the last year:  Gloria Roberts, Greg Eisen, and John Martinez
•    Our top runner, Alvin Valencia who was on track to run the race with us, was called in for a kidney transplant 2 weeks before the event…so he sat this one out.
•    All totalled, the 20 transplant recipients who joined us for our post-race festivities, had together completed over 140 half marathons!
•    In the 11 years of Team Transplant, 80 transplant recipients and donors have participated on the team!
•    The training is becoming a family affair with Rachel and Chaz (Chuck) Bauman, Patrick (Mark) Scott, and Corey (Pam Magnuson) Anderson all joining in along with us!
•    Mark Rosinbum and Tami Sadusky have been doing this for eleven years!
•    Carla Trulson Essenberg walked a 5k in Hawaii last month…while on VACATION!
•    You want to stay involved with the team even when you have reasons that you can’t train…Jonathon Baird, Turner Prewitt, Ron Adkins, and Shari Jones!
•    This thriving business…it’s not just about running and walking half marathons….IN ADDITION to running and walking half marathons….It may include baseball (Mari Jo Fraser) or hockey (Sam Patterson) or playing the accordion (Maggie Kim) or bowling (Allen Vary)!!
•    You’ll even make the effort to travel to events and team practices…Dan Tenant (Tacoma); Jason Stahl (Olympia) and who could forget Lenard Yen and his long journey from Vashon Island!
•    …and you’re making new friends and building a community of support around you that encourages your healthy lifestyle…Micah Gwinn, Lenore and Steve Miller; Vanessa Whitacre and Colin Rines; and TEAM HOPE!

Thanks to all of you…It was a wonderful season…an incredible year…and I think that what we’re doing really does make people step back and adjust their views on organ donation and diet and exercise…It’s pretty remarkable all that we’ve accomplished…and as one of the people who’s been around for the full 11 years of Team Transplant…I can tell you….it really is pretty crazy!

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And some more thank yous….
Everyone who volunteered at the expo...Sam Patterson, Marty Chakoian, Sam Patterson, Susan Marx, Shari Jones, Mary Meister, Allen Vary, Cindy Weber, Dan Tenant, and Jason Stahl!

Our Roanoke Cheerleaders…Mikki Dailey, Susan Bussell, and Luann Majeed!

Our Half Marathon Finisher Recovery Sepcialists who took charge of our table in the Victory Recovery Area….Ida Boecksteigel and Ron Adkins...

Our post-race party planners….Janette Morantes, Tami Sadusky, Susan Marx, and Jonathon Baird for his fabulous gluten-free desserts!

Homeland Security for their faithful Saturday morning support...Janette Morantes, Tamar Solomon, Susan Bussell, and Julie Sprinkle

Everyone else on our planning committe who have provided such incredible assistance throughout the years:   Annie Otto, Ron Adkins, Ida Boecksteigel, Mikki Dailey, and Mark Rosinbum!

And finally…a really big thank you from me to all of you for the generous gift…The chair is absolutely beautiful and I look forward to finding the perfect place for it in my house!  Thanks to all of you, my home has become a very warm and comfortable place…full of incredibly inspriring and wonderfully crazy memories!

***…and a quick disclaimer…if I missed someone in here, please let me know…I want you to make sure you know ho w much we appreciate your help!****
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Future Plans…
•    The Seattle Rock’n Roll Half Marathon is June 23rd…http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/seattle
•    Big Backyard 5K Who Knows Their Fitness Team Challenge is May 20th…http://www.bby5k.com/
•    Be prepared to kick up the training again in March…you know I’ll be in touch!

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From the News Desk…
Exercise and Brain Power!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com:80/2011/11/30/how-exercise-benefits-the-brain/?emc=eta1

Calories burned:  Walking vs. Running

http://m.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304-311-8402-0,00.html

Fitness vs. Weight loss?

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2011/12/05/fitness-may-lower-death-risk-even-without-weight-loss

Team Transplant article in Columns—It’s out in print.  Still waiting for the online version….if you’d like to be on the lookout for it, the website is…

http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns-magazine/

Here is an excerpt from the e-mail she sent:
The gathering today was really inspirational. Thanks for asking me to join you….It is an experience I won’t forget, seeing all those folks determined to make the most of their second chances, and supported by caring health care providers, family, friends and even some pet dogs.

Keep up your good work!

I don’t know what else to say…This was a truly wonderful way for our team to be recognized!

In the words of the Secretary…keep up your good work!

Let’s hear it once again for our water station helpers, the Rakitas and Annie Otto!   Thanks for being such reliable, consistent volunteers!

And…thanks to Ajit and Nishaant Limaye, who helped with our water station during our Gasworks/Lake Union workout.  Ajit is one of our infectious disease doctors and Nishaant is his son.  It was wonderful to have them join us, and we look forward to having them return for a practice next month!

More!!

Sam Patterson
Sam has now been officially appointed as one of our warm up leaders.  From what I’ve seen over the past few weeks, he’s going to be an impressive addition to our crew!  For those of you who haven’t been there when Sams’s shown up…it’s been pretty amazing.  He actually has been getting everyoone to stretch….You don’t know what a wonderful site that is for my eyes!   Sam, one of our heart recipients, has been on the team for 7-ish years now…and I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to discover this hidden talent of his!  I, for one, am so totally excited that we finally did!

Jennifer Herlihy
Jen decided to sit out of the Rock’n Roll Half this year and to focus her energy on the Vancouver Half instead.   Held last Sunday, Jen has nothing but raves for her experience up in Canada!

Vancouver was beautiful – in everyway!     The course was gorgeous and super fun – I loved running through downtown, and the water/mountain views through Stanley Park were amazing.
The spectators were fabulous – great crowds out cheering us on.
The day could not have been more perfect – beautiful blue sunny sky, slight cool breeze;  running with my great friend who always makes me forget (at least for the first 10 miles) that I’m running and not just having a Sunday morning chat with a girlfriend.

Our clock time was 2:06, chip time 2:05.
I felt good the whole run, and felt pretty good the next day!

Two thumbs up for Vancouver!!

For more information on how you can celebrate this big day, go to: http://www.startwalkingnow.org/

Have a wonderful Start Walking Day, y’all!

Allen Vary…did not disappoint.  He brought one of his favorites, BACON…and I know he takes great pride in watching how quickly it disappears!
Micah Gwinn…shared his high fiber brownies (surprise, huh?…I actually think the recipe belongs to Lenore Miller) so beautifully displayed in his Team Transplant green Emil Henry cookware….
Jonathon Baird...amazed us with his culinary skills once again by contributing a delicious homemade blueberry buckle…
Harch Ooi…treated us to one of his specialties from down under–homemade cheese bread…
Lynne Sloane…brought an amazing, beautiful fruit salad full of fresh berries..
Vanessa Whitacre…whipped up the deviled eggs…My personal favorite!
Jennifer Herlihy…swung her connections to supply the coffee…

And there was so much, much more…bagels, pineapple, apples,oranges,  juices, sparkling cider, breads, pastries, muffins, yoghurt (who spells this with an h??!)…I couldn’t keep track of who brought what!   You all deserve a big hug and round of applause for helping our season get off to a delectable start!

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But…before I get down to the business…let me begin with some kudos and inspiration….
Team Transplant mural…Next time you’re at UWMC, take a stroll through the Plaza Cafe…The Team Transplant picture that is part of the new UW Medicine marketing campaign is now up…and literally…larger than life!   And…while it’s focus is on Jennifer Herlihy‘s story…I think you’ll recognize some other faces when you see the photo.  In case you want to check it out before you go…just so you know what you’re looking for…go to  www.uwmedicinestories.org and click on A Walk. A Revelation. A Run.    Nice work Jennifer, Maggie, and Allen…You guys look awesome..and incredibly tough…and I’m honored to be a part of it with you!

Maria Hall Award…and then as you exit the cafeteria and continue along the hallway between the BB tower and the Pacific elevators, be sure to notice the display case on your righthand side…just before you get to the cafeteria.  Yes…that’s a picture of Katy Folk-Way, another Team Transplanter, who was the recipient of the 2010 Maria Hall Award for her work promoting Patient and Family Centered Care at UWMC!   She’s been doing a fabulous job…and I know she’s very excited about everything her group has been able to accomplish…so make sure you ask her about it…she just might have some ideas for how you could get involved if you’re interested!

UW Distinguished Staff Award….Congratulations to Patricia Ashley, Nurse Manager for the Center for Pain Relief and a Team Transplanter since 2001, and Julie Collier, Assistant Director of Community Outreach & Special Events—she’s the one who coordinates our booth at the Seattle Marathon Expo…Both were nominated for this year’s UW Distinguished Staff Awards.  There will be a ceremony to recognize all nominees at the UW Tower on Feb. 9th.  For more information and for a complete list of the nominees, go to: http://www.washington.edu/president/evp/dsa/

Entering the Rock’n Roll Half Marathon…
•    The race is once again extending to us a $10 discount off the current entry fee.  You will need to register online and enter our coupon code.  http://seattle.competitor.com/
•    Transplant recipients…If the cost of entering is going to prohibit you from participating, please let me know.  I am still working on a way to cover all of your entry fees!!!!

If you did not receive an e-mail with the coupon code…
•    Please let me know…..REMEMBER the race will fill up so be sure to sign up NOW!!!!

Paperwork…Forms…Releases…Registrations…See attachments!
•    If you were not a team member during the fall, you will need to renew your team registration information/waiver
•    For transplant recipients, who did not participate in the fall, you will need to submit an updated physician release form in addition to a registration form/waiver.
•    If you are just signing up for the spring, we would ask that you chip in $10 to help cover the expense of practices.  Please make out checks to the UWMC Service League (designate Team Transplant in the memo)
•    If you turned in paperwork in the fall, you are good to go!

Other information
•    The training schedules will start the week of March 7th with our first group practice on Saturday, March 12th!
•    Look for training schedules in your inbox the first week of March…You must have your paperwork in to get them!!!
•    For those who are new, you need to be able to walk 3 miles before joining us.
•    If this isn’t a good time for you to train, think about helping out on the sidelines. We can always use help with water stations and laying out the routes for practices!

Team Transplant Survey
•    Hey!  We’ve got an online survey..I’ll be sending it out in the next week to everyone who participated last fall…Please take the time to fill it out…We want to hear what you have to say…and find out how we can do a better job!  Thanks to Mikki Dailey for putting it together!!

Have a wonderful February….I look forward to seeing you all next MONTH!!!!!

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Sam (Niles) Leishman…For another incredible year as our water station director!   Huge thanks to everyone who volunteered (I know this includes Nancy and Tim Smith, Mikki Dailey, Tamar Solomon, James Boeckstiegel, Carol Allen, Serena Turner…and I’m sure there were more…)  and/or volunteered others to help out…From all accounts it was another very successful year out at the Mile #2 water station!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the Expo!  We had an amazing group of people who stepped up to help out :   Vanessa Whitacre, Colin Rines, James and Ida Boecksteigel, Maggie Kim, Jon McLees, Marty Chakoian, Mary Meister, Cindy Weber, Marcella San Martini, Carol Lynn and Dennis Cole, Julie Collier, and Maribeth Capeloto.  Thanks for taking the time to share the Team Transplant spirit with the rest of the running/walking community!

Everyone who helped with the post-race party….Janette Morantes, Susan Marx, Julie Sprinkle, Jon McLees, James and Ida, Vanessa Whitacre, Colin Rines, and Susan Bussell… Thanks for making our post-race/10-year anniversary celebration such a wonderful time!  (…please let me know if I left someone out!)

A Big Thank You goes to Erin Younger and  Ed Liebow for making the Burke Museum possible!  Again…we’re so lucky to be able to have access to that amazing space!

And a HUGE thanks to everyone who helped out during the race…Susan Bussell, Ida Boecksteigel, Janette Morantes, and Ron Adkins, who were there at the finishline to not only make sure you were okay but also to congratulate you on a job well done.  I certainly appreciate knowing that we have such a strong crew of supporters to help out on the sidelines!

If you’d like to send a Thank You to people who help keep Team Transplant going, here are some suggestions:
•    Foot Zone, Redmond Town Center ..for the awesome discount days they offer us…go to www.footzone.com for their contact info…the site is down right now so I can’t get their e-mail address.
•    Everyday Athlete, Kirkland …ditto here…info@everydayathlete.us
•    UWMC Volunteer Services…If you’d like to thank them for supporting our team, you can contact Pat Poulin at ppoulin@u.washington.edu
•    Transplant Services…If you’d like to let them know how much you enjoyed the training and the program, you can contact Kay Wicks at  kwicks@u.washington.edu
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Thanks from me….
And…a very special thank you from me.  The post-race party is always a special time…made even more special by the presence of all of you and all of the hard work that goes into planning it.   I’m often overwhelmed by your show of support and appreciation, and your willingness to keep coming back to training still blows my mind.  Thank you for everything—I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with!

…and…I’m sure many of you are wondering about the ”source of inspiration”…you’ll be happy to know that my co-worker has absolutely no problem with me displaying the firefighter calendar in our office!  Expect to see a totally “fired up” Alysun in 2011…Bring on the heat!;-)

Let’s hear it for the movers and shakers on this team…the ones we show off our green for…the ones who make Saturday morning practices such an uplifting place to be…Let’s hear it for our amazing transplant recipients and donors…Thanks for keeping us inspired and making our’s such a wonderful community to be a part of!

Jennifer Herlihy, Mari jo Fraser, Tami Sadusky, Mark Rosinbum, Lenard Yen, Mark Scott, Maggie Kim, Allison McDowell Enstrom, Chuck Bauman, Dan Tenant, Shirley Schultz, Jonathon Baird, Jon McLees, Anne Hagerty, Carla Trulson-Essenberg, Allen Vary, Micah Gwinn, Jason Stahl, Ron Adkins, Bill Furrer, Sam Patterson, Dick Fitzgerald, Pam Magnuson, Colin Rines, Vanessa Whitacre, Gary Lanis, Suzanna Moran, Terry Way, Katy Folk-Way (my apologies if I left someone out…please let me know so I can give you full credit next time)

And special thanks to Mary Chi and Kevin Lin for coming out to help with water stations last week!   It’s wonderful to have such enthusiastic volunteers!

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And…finally…some Race day wisdom from Mr. Ron Adkins….

What has worked well for me is to continue to my normal routine as much as possible. I suggest trying to hold back a little in the beginning so that you don’t get crushed by the masses at the start. Work your way up carefully and pick up speed as soon as it feels safe to do so. People will speed by you at the start, but you can gain an edge on them at strategic points like when they stop at the port-a-potties.   You should feel confident with your training… run/walk your own race.  Maintain your workout speed in the beginning and push a little harder the second half of the race.

Best of luck to everyone!