Lyla & Allen's Pledge "To End Stroke" Page
June 30th, 2002
Dear Contributors,
WE DID IT!!!
Let me tell the story…
Early on in training Allen obtained a stress fracture in his tibia bone. The healing process was long and he just couldn’t get back to training without pain. The marathon journey went on for me. I realized very quickly that raising my funds was going to take some time and thought. Allen helped me plan several events to help raise my funds to meet my fundraising goal. Even though Allen was mending he remained very active in the fundraising aspect of our journey and was a HUGE help to me. We raised @ $2000.00 from the original letters we sent out in December. Allen arranged some time for us to fundraise at different Top Food Stores in and around the area and at the QFC Store in Canyon Park. A huge thank you to all of those stores for allowing us to fundraise in front of their stores. The effort was successful and I reached my fundraising goal in the middle of May. We raised nearly $4500.00 for the American Stroke Association. Thank you to all of you again for your help in this effort for ASA.
I too obtained a stress fracture in late February in the metatarsal bone of my right foot ( the same foot on which I had surgery last year in June ). I kept training going on a stationary bike for those 6 weeks while I healed. On April 9th the foot specialist released me from the casting boot and I slowly began to train on the road again. My foot has bothered me some all through training, but I decided to tough it out and go on with training and pray that nothing more severe would happen to it. I had many, many blisters through training and even lost a few toenails, but hey, what are a few toenails. They’ll grow back!
During the months of training I met and gained some new friendships that I will cherish for years to come. I trained with some remarkable people and some were stroke survivors themselves. A truly amazing task they took on and accomplished.
Allen began running again just two months before the marathon. As time neared he decided to go ahead and run the marathon and we obtained a singlet from ASA for him to wear. Allen traveled with the team and I to Kona and participated in the marathon as an ASA supporter.
NOW TO THE MARATHON….
What an experience folks. We flew out on June 21st. Arriving in the afternoon and staying at the Outrigger Hotel with the rest of the team. We picked up our racing packets on Saturday and I attended a team meeting on Saturday morning with the team, director and our coach. Coach Shelly filled us in on what to expect before, during and after the marathon. I must admit we all left the meeting a little worried, but prepared and ready to complete our task.
SUNDAY MORNING, RACE DAY…
Arise at 1:30am, a little nervous and anxious about the day ahead of us. I followed the coach’s advice and hopped into the shower to loosen those stiff muscles. I had picked blue shorts and a blue top to wear under my singlet. On my singlet I had ironed on my name in BIG red letters. It was great having people call out my name in support along the course. I also placed a photo of my mother and I on the back to have her close during this special day. My wonderful and loving sister Dixie had written me a poem about the marathon. That too I placed on my shirt. Instead of wearing the Stroke Hero necklace I also ironed on my list of Stroke Heroes. I had ALL of them with me and was honored to walk/run in honor/memory of them all.
MY STROKE HEROES
Mom/Lois Darrow
Uncle Bob
Walter Darrow
Zinnie Darrow
Grandma Murphy
Juanita Kelley
Marion Dorrance
Bill Matthies
Irene Hoikka
Bob Vaara
Ruth Hart
Mary Hassenstab
Beth Holman
So, all decked out in my red, white and blue I met the team at 3:30am for a team photo. Allen decided to drive himself to the race and catch another hour of sleep. We were able to have the camera’s there at the end of the race that way. We couldn’t leave the cameras on the bus. The team loaded the bus at 4:00am and rode 45 minutes anticipating how the day would go. The marathon began promptly at 5:30am and we were off. In the beginning it felt rather cool, but it didn’t take long for the day to heat up. I never did see Allen before the race. I soon knew he was doing exceptionally well when he passed me on his way back. Mile 18 or 19 was the key mile for most everyone. They say that the first twenty miles is the first half of the marathon and the last six are the second half. We now know what they mean by that. Allen finished the race with a 4:04 time. Very well done. That was quite the comeback after his stress fracture. Allen finished 25th in his age group of 119 participants. I was going strong as well until mile 19 when something pulled in my foot. With each mile the pain increased, but I kept trucking away. Those last 7 miles were tough, but I finished. Coming in at 6:40 and 98th in my age group of 181 participants. Such an incredible feeling of accomplishment. Allen and I are both in awe yet.
With the foot giving me grief it was hard, but we managed to attend the Victory Party that evening held at the Hilton Hotel on the palace lawn. The Hilton there is gorgeous. Wearing our marathon medals proudly we attended the party and consumed the delicious food that ASA provided for us. The evening was filled with hula dancers, music, awards and a slide show of the weekend. The awards were given for the “Greatest Lifestyle Change”. They were given to someone in each geographical area. I was honored with the award for the Seattle area. I’m sure choosing the recipient was tough for our Director and Coaches. All were worthy of the award. Everyone worked hard to complete this goal. Completely shocked I hobbled my way down to the stage to accept my award along with the help from Allen.
This certainly has been a lifestyle change for me. I am pleased to say that I will be continuing my volunteer work with the American Stroke Association. I have decided to mentor the next group coming through that will be training to end stroke for the fall season and they will be traveling to either Jamaica or Disney World.
I would like to leave you with this thought.
"Training for a marathon is a life-changing event.
So is stroke."
Bon Sante (good health in French) thanks again for your support,
Love,
Lyla & Allen
Benson
Dear Contributors,
WE DID IT!!!
Let me tell the story…
Early on in training Allen obtained a stress fracture in his tibia bone. The healing process was long and he just couldn’t get back to training without pain. The marathon journey went on for me. I realized very quickly that raising my funds was going to take some time and thought. Allen helped me plan several events to help raise my funds to meet my fundraising goal. Even though Allen was mending he remained very active in the fundraising aspect of our journey and was a HUGE help to me. We raised @ $2000.00 from the original letters we sent out in December. Allen arranged some time for us to fundraise at different Top Food Stores in and around the area and at the QFC Store in Canyon Park. A huge thank you to all of those stores for allowing us to fundraise in front of their stores. The effort was successful and I reached my fundraising goal in the middle of May. We raised nearly $4500.00 for the American Stroke Association. Thank you to all of you again for your help in this effort for ASA.
I too obtained a stress fracture in late February in the metatarsal bone of my right foot ( the same foot on which I had surgery last year in June ). I kept training going on a stationary bike for those 6 weeks while I healed. On April 9th the foot specialist released me from the casting boot and I slowly began to train on the road again. My foot has bothered me some all through training, but I decided to tough it out and go on with training and pray that nothing more severe would happen to it. I had many, many blisters through training and even lost a few toenails, but hey, what are a few toenails. They’ll grow back!
During the months of training I met and gained some new friendships that I will cherish for years to come. I trained with some remarkable people and some were stroke survivors themselves. A truly amazing task they took on and accomplished.
Allen began running again just two months before the marathon. As time neared he decided to go ahead and run the marathon and we obtained a singlet from ASA for him to wear. Allen traveled with the team and I to Kona and participated in the marathon as an ASA supporter.
NOW TO THE MARATHON….
What an experience folks. We flew out on June 21st. Arriving in the afternoon and staying at the Outrigger Hotel with the rest of the team. We picked up our racing packets on Saturday and I attended a team meeting on Saturday morning with the team, director and our coach. Coach Shelly filled us in on what to expect before, during and after the marathon. I must admit we all left the meeting a little worried, but prepared and ready to complete our task.
SUNDAY MORNING, RACE DAY…
Arise at 1:30am, a little nervous and anxious about the day ahead of us. I followed the coach’s advice and hopped into the shower to loosen those stiff muscles. I had picked blue shorts and a blue top to wear under my singlet. On my singlet I had ironed on my name in BIG red letters. It was great having people call out my name in support along the course. I also placed a photo of my mother and I on the back to have her close during this special day. My wonderful and loving sister Dixie had written me a poem about the marathon. That too I placed on my shirt. Instead of wearing the Stroke Hero necklace I also ironed on my list of Stroke Heroes. I had ALL of them with me and was honored to walk/run in honor/memory of them all.
MY STROKE HEROES
Mom/Lois Darrow
Uncle Bob
Walter Darrow
Zinnie Darrow
Grandma Murphy
Juanita Kelley
Marion Dorrance
Bill Matthies
Irene Hoikka
Bob Vaara
Ruth Hart
Mary Hassenstab
Beth Holman
So, all decked out in my red, white and blue I met the team at 3:30am for a team photo. Allen decided to drive himself to the race and catch another hour of sleep. We were able to have the camera’s there at the end of the race that way. We couldn’t leave the cameras on the bus. The team loaded the bus at 4:00am and rode 45 minutes anticipating how the day would go. The marathon began promptly at 5:30am and we were off. In the beginning it felt rather cool, but it didn’t take long for the day to heat up. I never did see Allen before the race. I soon knew he was doing exceptionally well when he passed me on his way back. Mile 18 or 19 was the key mile for most everyone. They say that the first twenty miles is the first half of the marathon and the last six are the second half. We now know what they mean by that. Allen finished the race with a 4:04 time. Very well done. That was quite the comeback after his stress fracture. Allen finished 25th in his age group of 119 participants. I was going strong as well until mile 19 when something pulled in my foot. With each mile the pain increased, but I kept trucking away. Those last 7 miles were tough, but I finished. Coming in at 6:40 and 98th in my age group of 181 participants. Such an incredible feeling of accomplishment. Allen and I are both in awe yet.
With the foot giving me grief it was hard, but we managed to attend the Victory Party that evening held at the Hilton Hotel on the palace lawn. The Hilton there is gorgeous. Wearing our marathon medals proudly we attended the party and consumed the delicious food that ASA provided for us. The evening was filled with hula dancers, music, awards and a slide show of the weekend. The awards were given for the “Greatest Lifestyle Change”. They were given to someone in each geographical area. I was honored with the award for the Seattle area. I’m sure choosing the recipient was tough for our Director and Coaches. All were worthy of the award. Everyone worked hard to complete this goal. Completely shocked I hobbled my way down to the stage to accept my award along with the help from Allen.
This certainly has been a lifestyle change for me. I am pleased to say that I will be continuing my volunteer work with the American Stroke Association. I have decided to mentor the next group coming through that will be training to end stroke for the fall season and they will be traveling to either Jamaica or Disney World.
I would like to leave you with this thought.
"Training for a marathon is a life-changing event.
So is stroke."
Bon Sante (good health in French) thanks again for your support,
Love,
Lyla & Allen
Benson