My Charity Runner Story in Honor of Mary Beth Reddell

"I share my story, because I can... In the circle of life, we All touch eachother"
Mary Beth Reddell, American Airlines, National volunteer leader, Relay For Life

I want to share my story - my story of will, of dedication, committment, training, years of racing, competing and the hours of time that I have put in preparation for the upcoming race day - another day at the start line of a race, this time a marathon - the Vermont City marathon.

It doesn't always come easy, getting out of bed each morning, being motivated by my loving husband, Steve (who yells at me to get my _____ going and catch those ponytails!) and my rambunctious "full of energy" son to the each race, looking for that "me" time to put myself to work - to increase in mileage, speed or endurance as a whole.

But when I can perform like I have proven in the recent past - with a seventh place master finish with a 3:05 at Boston and then 7th master again in San Fransisco at the Nike Woman's marathon this past fall. I qualified in 2008, at age 43 for the World Championship 1/2 ironman and the US National Championships for the Olympic distance - - on my own raw talent, because anyone that really knows me, knows I am of the "less is more theory". I am self coached with my Ipod nano, my training buddy Oakley (the yellow lab) and the support of my family. I research training plans online, communicate online with other runners and just get up and put my feet on the pavement each and every morning.

This story of will and results is something to share, but now as I dedicate this run to the American Cancer Society through Charity Runner - recently renamed DeterminNation - to make a difference in the lives of others.... through donor dollars generously given in my quest to run this marathon. I think about the word determination. The determination of athletes in endurance events, making a difference through the work of the American Cancer Society in the nationwide fight against cancer, all cancers, improving the quality of life of cancer survivors, supporting caregivers and community members working to find a cure for this disease.

This is a cause that truly motivates me - - and I realize is about the journey of those cancer survivors that I want to honor and dedicate my race.

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” - Gail Devers

So now as I tell my story - I want to share the story of a national volunteer leader that I have had the pleasure and the honor to get to know and care about deeply. Through her story of survival - - of cancer - - her DetermiNation - - to fight - - gives me the power to fight harder, to raise more money. In my 15 years with the Society, it is survivors like her that drive this home for me, for all - - to truly fight, make a difference and hope to some day rid this world of cancer. I have decided to dedicate my marathon - my DetermiNation as a Charity Runner for ACS in her honor.











This is the American Way Magazine article from a couple of years ago... has some examples of how she uses humor "chemo carwash" above that shows the humor and strength of this amazing woman - she is a "Hero of Hope" in Texas, the High Plains Division - - and is a true fighter - - determined to the core - - a true role model and someone I truly respect and admire.

A couple of weeks ago (just fresh out of another round of chemotherapy) was the annual "Executive Idol" where she and two of her friends including one of the VPs dressed up like ABBA and sang super-trouper during the Executive Idol contest at AA the day of the Relay they all participate in! She raises thousands of dollars through her own Relay team and multiplies that by making one on one visits to hubs to get others in American Airlines rallied around the cause. Truly amazing.

I don't even know how many times she's lost her hair, her fingers have a constant tingling sensation (or did anyway) her hair fell out but at one point her eyelashes grew so much she kept having to cut them, her taste buds are constantly messed up, but she is alway fiesty and always positive so even her articles don't share negativety or sadness, they are always upbeat! This picture of Mary Beth was when we recognized American Airlines for their accomplishments as a part of the National Team Program. Her comment to me was that she "loves the photo because she chemo and her lashes were long due to the side effects...it was freaky!"

From Hero's of Hope program in High Plains - MB shares her story:

This is from MB's care page:
My story is very simple. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 41. I didn't have the trendy cancer - I had an old people disease! IT was in my colon, abdomen, and liver - they said there was no cure and gave me a "pat" on the head dismissing me - as if they assumed I was going to die. That made me very angry - as I thought God was the only one who knew when the time would come for me to go. That was almost 4-1/2 years ago. I've had six major surgeries. Countless chemos and radiation. I've fought it off 4 times and its back again for another round. This time its in my lung and back in the liver. I'm giving it all I have and with the love of my friends and family - I will win the fight. This fight also gave me the chance to connect with the American Cancer Society and I am a Hero of Hope, a spokesperson for ACS and the Relay for Life. Having cancer changed my life, and through my struggles I have been blessed with all of you.

I share my story because I can, and through the circle of life, we all touch each other.

More to come on my dear friend, stellar ACS volunteer and cancer survivor - Mary Beth. Stay tuned.....

Race Resume - April 2009

2008 Race Result Highlights
Boston Marathon - 3:18:35 - 3972 overall - 64 in division - 381 female
Nike Woman's Marathon - 3:22:24 - 23rd female, 33 overall

Mountain Goat Series Female Overall Winner - 6 race series
Top honors winning the series with 461.17 points.
Series placement: 2nd at Loon, 4th at Cranmore, 7th at both Northfield and Pack Monadnock, and 10th at Wachusett.

Applefest 1/2 marathon: 1:32:30 - 48th overall -2nd in age, 6th woman overall out of908 finishers


2007 Race Result Highlights
70.3 World Championship, Clearwater, FL 33/63 in age group - 5:18 finish time (11/07)
70.3 Timberman 2nd in age group, Gifford, NH - 5:15 finish time
Chicago Marathon (3:26:13)- 896 overall - 128 female - 15th in age group (10/07)Boston Marathon 7th overall master woman. 1626 overall(4/07)
4th master ING Atlanta, Georgia 1/2 marathon (3/07)
1st overall woman - Swanzey, NH 1/2 marathon (9/07)
4th woman, 1st in age - Greenfield Triathlon USAT Club Championship (8/07)
Ranked 144 USAT for 40-44 female age group (2007)
USTS National Olympic Distance Triathlon Championship (6/07) 191/475 in age)


2006 highlighted results:
Chicago Marathon: (3:14:38) – 2161/38,000 overall – Gender 263 – Division 35
Tufts 10K for women, Boston, MA: (42:23) 88/7000 overall – 14/1348 age group
FIRM MAN ½ Ironman, Narragansett Bay, RI (5:09:51) – 9th woman – 3rd in age – 118/641 finishers
Swanzey NH Covered Bridge ½ marathon – (1:31:01) – 4th woman – 1st in age – 21 / 311 finishers
CIGNA 5K, Manchester NH: (20:04) – 16th woman – 2nd in age - 4260 finishers
Sea to Summit (12 mi kayak, 90 mi bike, 9 mile run up Mt. Washington) – 10:36:24 – 2nd woman
NETS Fairlee, VT: (1:47:12) – 4th in age – 117/ 467 finishers


4 time Iron man competitor
Iron-man Triathlon –swim 2.4 mile, bike 112 miles, run -6.2 miles
PR – 11:52:01
1990 - Sunapee, NH (12:59)
1991- Sunapee, NH (12:36:41)11th female
1994 -Martha’s Vineyard (12:15:42) 9th female
1996 -Sunapee, NH – 11:51 – 2nd place female


Marathons – 26.2 miles
Competed in 19 marathons including:
Chicago - (October 2007) -3:26
Boston (April 2007) - 3:05:59
Chicago (October 2006) – 3:14:38
Montreal, Canada (3:35)
Cape Cod, MA (3:45)
Hartford, CT – (3:40)
Disney Marathon, Orlando, FL (3:53)
Portland, ME- 2004 – (3:41)
VT City Marathon – 1993 (3:33), 1994 (3:27:14), 1999 (3:35)
Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC – (3:50)
Providence, RI (4:05)
Boston Marathon – 1990(3:51), 1993 (4:16), 2002 (4:10) 2007 (3:05)


Personal Record List
Marathon – 3:05:59 – (2007) – Boston, MA
½ Marathon – 1:28:48 (2007) – Alton, NH
Ironman distance triathlon – 11:51 (1996) – Sunapee, NH
½ ironman – 5:09 (2006)– Narragansett Bay, RI
5K – 20:04 – (2006) Cigna 5K, Manchester, NH
10K – 40:44 (1994) – Killington, VT

Other Accomplishments:
Sea to Summit 2nd place woman – 12 mi kayak, 90 mi bike, 9 mile run to Mt. Washington (2006)
USTS National Olympic Distance Triathlon Championship 1990 (Top 50% in age)
3rd place – Sport Women Pedro’s New England Mountain Bike Series (1994)
Raced Category 4 Woman’s class – (1992 & 2000)
3rd place female overall – VT Triathlon Series (1994)
5 time Century ride finisher – Audrey Prouty Memorial Century for NCCC
Top 16 Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge, Killington, VT – (1997)
Woodstock, VT HS Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, JV Girls Lacrosse & Field Hockey (1990-93)

Qualifications
BS Physical Education, Castleton State College (1986)
Professional Ski Instructor of America certified since (2000) current Level 2 certification
Killington Ski Patrol, Killington, VT – (pro) 1987-1997
Keystone Ski Instructor, Keystone, CO (pro)– 1998-2000
Mt. Sunapee Ski Instructor, Newbury, NH (pro) – 2000-2006
American Red Cross – Director of Health & Safety Services – 1991-1994
American Red Cross, past instructor trainer certifications Water Safety, Life guarding, Emergency Response, First Aid and Professional CPR.

(Last updated: November 21, 2007)

Conference Call Tips - Keep them engaged!

I have been on some great and not so great calls in my worklife and have really tried to figure out the best way to facilitate a good conference call with all the budget restrictions for face to face and time restrictions due to the busy schedules of everyone. A friend recently asked me for some tips as she has really enjoyed being on my calls and I thought I would share them with you in case there is a chance to share this more broadly.

Let me know your thoughts or any other ide

as!


Nancy's Tips for a Successful Conference Call

1. Prep is important - contact people ahead of time to ask them to say a few words on something that has happened in their area. division or company
Any updates or action items can be listed on the prep email that you can go over on the call to emphasize in the beginning

2. Use Webex if possible - keeps those multi tasker type people involved and using 2 senses helps keep them focused on you as much as possible. Webex allows you to get everyone on the "same page" as you - whether it is your content in a powerpoint or showing useful websites or walkthrough to navigate them to sites they need to know about.

3. Welcome everyone by name with a personal touch
Write those names down for reference during the call
After every agenda item be sure to call on one of those names
referencing a conversation you have had with them
ask them a question how it relates to their area

4. Always "mix" up the voices
Ask for others to speak on their expertise (great recognition)
Ask someone else to facilitate and introduce you as the expert (if appropriate)

5. Save sharing for last - don't take too may interuptions or questions and ask that they save it to the end and you get the pertinent info covered. And they all like that part of the call to "brag" so save the best for last and they attend to the end!

6. Always say thank you for attendance (in the beginning and the end) - with the mention of how valuable everyone's time is (staff and volunteer) - it will make a difference!

7. Get the notes out as soon as possible - highlight the action and key takeaways

8. Save the Date! - for the next call and or series of calls with a call for agenda items if necessary


Additions from my friend Lissa -

1. Build an agenda, share it 24 hours in advanc, & stick to it.

2. Introduce the salient points of the call, go through the "presentation" of each topic, then solicit opinions, feedback, discussion, or questions as relevant *specifically about that topic* before moving to the next one. Do not allow your call to be hijacked by a question irrelevant to the topic at hand; my stock response is, "that's a great point but let's hold it until the end of the call; I'll stay on a few minutes late to address it with you."

3. Tag team: have one person as the presenter and one person as the note-taker. Ensure that the note-taker provides the recap of each topic and closes the call; allows for a reiteration of the main points and immediate clarification as necessary. (Especially helpful, as hearing two views on a topic boosts memory.)

4. DO NOT waste people's time; start and end on time.