so... a week or so ago, with the encouragement of my coach and doctor... i withdrew myself from America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride.
six weeks of no activity due to coming down with pneumonia following the Paris Marathon has left me feeling grossly unprepared for a 100 mile bike ride. and there is just not enough time to regain the fitness...
i hated having to make that decision, but it is the right one.
i can do AMBBR next year, i can do another ride later this year, or i can do another endurance event (marathon) later this year... with the Team.
fear not, to all of you who so generously supporting my fundraising efforts for the Century ride. you money will not go to waste... LLS will put it to good use, supporting patients and their families, helping to find new treatments, etc.
i will be lacing up my shoes later today to head out for my first run in 6 weeks, and see how it goes... with any luck, it won't take me TOO long to bounce back.
i'll keep you posted on my next TNT adventure, once i've made a decision about what it will be.
thanks again.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Paris marathon report (ish)
So, it's been a few days since the Paris marathon and I've thus far said nothing about it... not because it wasn't a great experience (it was!!), but because there's been a lot going on.
First off, it was a whirlwind two week adventure... first week gallivanting about southern England, visiting family, running the Thames Bridges Trek in London in wild weather and going to concerts.
Second week, cold and rainy Paris, birthday dinners, catching up with old friends... and then a very hot and sun-burny day for the Paris marathon.
Two weeks of travel and late nights and cold weather had taken a bit of a toll, so I didn't start the race at my best... suffered in the unexpected heat... but thoroughly enjoyed the first 18 miles of the race. Particularly the parts where my husband and my friends showed up several times along the course to cheer me on. I really struggled for the last 8 miles, as could be seen in my seriously diminishing speed over those miles.
The following day, hopped on a couple planes.. spent almost 18 hours in transit between hotel and home, and was struck down with a terrible cold. Which turned into pneumonia. So, I've pretty much done no activity more strenuous than walking the dogs for the last three weeks.
My energies have been focused on getting myself healthy, and on supporting family and friends who are having babies, having health issues, and dealing with other difficulties in life.
On a happier note though, I had friends in town from Canada and Europe this week, so have been trying to squeeze in some visits. Having them here, and having them meet each other, has brought me joy.
Getting stressed out about missing so much cycle training. AMBBR is in 6 weeks, and I'm so very far from prepared!
Also, so very far from having reached my fundraising goals... If you're feeling flush, and would like to help me to help LLS find a cure for blood cancers... please donate here:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ambbr16/MTataje
First off, it was a whirlwind two week adventure... first week gallivanting about southern England, visiting family, running the Thames Bridges Trek in London in wild weather and going to concerts.
 |
| running Millennium Bridge (#14 out of 16 bridges) in pouring rain |
Two weeks of travel and late nights and cold weather had taken a bit of a toll, so I didn't start the race at my best... suffered in the unexpected heat... but thoroughly enjoyed the first 18 miles of the race. Particularly the parts where my husband and my friends showed up several times along the course to cheer me on. I really struggled for the last 8 miles, as could be seen in my seriously diminishing speed over those miles.
 |
| approximately Mile 18, still smiling.. |
The following day, hopped on a couple planes.. spent almost 18 hours in transit between hotel and home, and was struck down with a terrible cold. Which turned into pneumonia. So, I've pretty much done no activity more strenuous than walking the dogs for the last three weeks.
My energies have been focused on getting myself healthy, and on supporting family and friends who are having babies, having health issues, and dealing with other difficulties in life.
On a happier note though, I had friends in town from Canada and Europe this week, so have been trying to squeeze in some visits. Having them here, and having them meet each other, has brought me joy.
Getting stressed out about missing so much cycle training. AMBBR is in 6 weeks, and I'm so very far from prepared!
Also, so very far from having reached my fundraising goals... If you're feeling flush, and would like to help me to help LLS find a cure for blood cancers... please donate here:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ambbr16/MTataje
My Powers Turned Up
As you may know from reading past posts... there is a fairly extensive history of cancer in my family. My maternal grandmother died of breast cancer. Her sister, my great aunt Christine, has lymphoma. Christine's daughter Andrea had breast cancer. My maternal grandfather had colon cancer. His brother, my great uncle Art, died of colon cancer. My mother has ocular melanoma. My cousin Amy died of cancer. My step father's mom, my paternal grandmother, had cancer. My mother-in-law died of cancer...
I run with Team In Training (and now also cycle and Tri) in their honor. To celebrate their lives and support their struggles, to honor their memories and to raise funds in an effort to try in my own way to help to find a cure for cancers of all kinds.
A few weeks ago I learned that it was time to add another family member to the list of loved ones for whom I will continue to train and fund raise. At the age of 25, my cousin Liz was just diagnosed with an exceptionally rare form of uterine cancer. The first course of action against this form of cancer is a hysterectomy. Devastating...
However, she's got such a great outlook on this, and has permitted me to share her words with you.
This time it was me. It is me. And I felt/feel all the emotions. Fear. Anger. Shock & disbelief. And then emotions I don't even have names for.
Only 300 cases world wide. Ever. This is the 1 in a billion tumour. I'm actually extremely lucky this was found.
That was the first blow.
Next, the "treatment", takes a future away I took for granted. The ability to have a child. A hysterectomy. At 25 years old. But I will live to raise my girls and share a life with my love
In stepping back, I see this incredible testimony in the works.
God led me to Mike at 15 - married at 20 - not having us wait to meet later in life like so many are asked to do.
God is the one who put that need to be a mother in my heart at such a young age, not later, {not too late} I am a mother. A mother to not even just one beautiful soul, but two.
God gave Mike and I years together beforehand so that when something devastating like this happens, we fall together and not fall apart.
God placed all these truly incredible people in my life to be strong with me when I don't have it in me to go it alone, these people let me feel fear and help me through it. Over the last few days I've had a MRI, CT and ultrasound - all have come back negative - the cancer is contained within my uterus, this is HUGE as once this cancer spreads to other organs, it is pretty resistant to chemotherapy. I will be having surgery within the next week or so... If Hopkins confirms everything - that will be bumped up.
UPDATE:
Surgery went according to plan... hysterectomy with tubes, but ovaries are healthy and were left in place, so that is a huge silver lining. NO tumour spillage!!!
She will be monitored closely but all indications thus far point to no chemo and a full recovery!!
I run with Team In Training (and now also cycle and Tri) in their honor. To celebrate their lives and support their struggles, to honor their memories and to raise funds in an effort to try in my own way to help to find a cure for cancers of all kinds.
A few weeks ago I learned that it was time to add another family member to the list of loved ones for whom I will continue to train and fund raise. At the age of 25, my cousin Liz was just diagnosed with an exceptionally rare form of uterine cancer. The first course of action against this form of cancer is a hysterectomy. Devastating...
However, she's got such a great outlook on this, and has permitted me to share her words with you.
"My powers turned up"
Over the past weeks my family and I have had one shocking blow after another. Cancer touches us all in some way, but you {never} expect it to be you.This time it was me. It is me. And I felt/feel all the emotions. Fear. Anger. Shock & disbelief. And then emotions I don't even have names for.
Only 300 cases world wide. Ever. This is the 1 in a billion tumour. I'm actually extremely lucky this was found.
That was the first blow.
Next, the "treatment", takes a future away I took for granted. The ability to have a child. A hysterectomy. At 25 years old. But I will live to raise my girls and share a life with my love
In stepping back, I see this incredible testimony in the works.
God led me to Mike at 15 - married at 20 - not having us wait to meet later in life like so many are asked to do.
God is the one who put that need to be a mother in my heart at such a young age, not later, {not too late} I am a mother. A mother to not even just one beautiful soul, but two.
God gave Mike and I years together beforehand so that when something devastating like this happens, we fall together and not fall apart.
God placed all these truly incredible people in my life to be strong with me when I don't have it in me to go it alone, these people let me feel fear and help me through it. Over the last few days I've had a MRI, CT and ultrasound - all have come back negative - the cancer is contained within my uterus, this is HUGE as once this cancer spreads to other organs, it is pretty resistant to chemotherapy. I will be having surgery within the next week or so... If Hopkins confirms everything - that will be bumped up.
 |
| my cute cousin and her sweet little girls |
UPDATE:
Surgery went according to plan... hysterectomy with tubes, but ovaries are healthy and were left in place, so that is a huge silver lining. NO tumour spillage!!!
She will be monitored closely but all indications thus far point to no chemo and a full recovery!!
 |
| post op snuggles |
Sunday, March 20, 2016
hairless in solidarity
My friend Jenn started chemotherapy 3 weeks ago, and last week her hair began falling out. Her company hosted a head-shaving party, turning what could have been a painful experience into a celebration. Together they raised over $1100 for Saint Baldrick's... which is an organization that funds research for childhood cancers.
It was a beautiful sunny day, so chairs were set up outside... clippers were fired up... and hair started flying!
Turns out Jenn's got a great looking head! When my turn came, Jenn did the initial shave...
The lack of hair is surprisingly enjoyable. Can't stop rubbing my own fuzzy head. No bed-head in the morning. No wild hair after my ride with the Team yesterday. Though truth be told, it certainly highlighted the cold temperatures when it started to rain (and then snow!) during our ride. Went to bed in a hat on Friday night!!
Jenn's run/walking the Shamrock half marathon in Virginia Beach this morning... because she's strong and determined, and because lymphoma's not going to stop her from doing the things she loves. Tomorrow morning, she starts her next round of chemotherapy.
If you would like to show your support of Jenn and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society... please make a donation here.
It was a beautiful sunny day, so chairs were set up outside... clippers were fired up... and hair started flying!
 |
| Sun Ae did the honors for Jenn |
Turns out Jenn's got a great looking head! When my turn came, Jenn did the initial shave...
And then Sun Ae tidied things up a bit at the end.
 |
| bald is beautiful |
The lack of hair is surprisingly enjoyable. Can't stop rubbing my own fuzzy head. No bed-head in the morning. No wild hair after my ride with the Team yesterday. Though truth be told, it certainly highlighted the cold temperatures when it started to rain (and then snow!) during our ride. Went to bed in a hat on Friday night!!
Jenn's run/walking the Shamrock half marathon in Virginia Beach this morning... because she's strong and determined, and because lymphoma's not going to stop her from doing the things she loves. Tomorrow morning, she starts her next round of chemotherapy.
If you would like to show your support of Jenn and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society... please make a donation here.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
2016 Race Schedule (thus far)
I thought I'd just jot down the races that I have planned for the year... In part as a commitment to run them, and sort of as motivation to start planning to add a few more. Gotta keep up my numbers you know!
Last year was a low numbers year for me, but triathlon training took up a lot of time! I completed 1 marathon, 3 half marathons, a 6 hour relay and a two Olympic distance triathlons...
2014 I completed 2 marathons, 6 half marathons, two ten milers and a bunch of 5 Ks (that's more like it!!).
Thus far this year I am scheduled for the following:
Last year was a low numbers year for me, but triathlon training took up a lot of time! I completed 1 marathon, 3 half marathons, a 6 hour relay and a two Olympic distance triathlons...
2014 I completed 2 marathons, 6 half marathons, two ten milers and a bunch of 5 Ks (that's more like it!!).
Thus far this year I am scheduled for the following:
- Dahlgren Trail Half Marathon
- Ex2 Adventures Back Yard Burn 10 miler - Pohick Bay
- 16 Bridges Thames Challenge (unofficial event, following actual event course)
- Paris Marathon (on my birthday!!!)
- Ex2 Adventures Fountainhead Off Road Half Marathon
- Endless Summer 6 Hour (Trail) Run
- Port City Challenge (Into the Night 5k, Harbour Passage 5k, Marathon by the Sea)
- Detroit Free Press Marathon (with Team In Training)
- Richmond Marathon
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Also... raffle ticket?
if you're contemplating making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but want more potential bang for your buck than my Leap Day lake video can provide...
maybe you'd like to consider purchasing a raffle ticket with a 1 in 2500 chance to win a new Mercedes?
tickets can be purchased online right here
just put "Megan Tataje" in the "referred by" line and that's it! you've made a donation to LLS, helped me toward my fundraising goal, and are now just waiting to be told you've won a new car!!
maybe you'd like to consider purchasing a raffle ticket with a 1 in 2500 chance to win a new Mercedes?
tickets can be purchased online right here
just put "Megan Tataje" in the "referred by" line and that's it! you've made a donation to LLS, helped me toward my fundraising goal, and are now just waiting to be told you've won a new car!!
Several successes of the week
Good morning all...
It's been a busy week (and it's only Wednesday!)
Saturday was the first Cycle Team training session that I have made it to thus far this season... We met out in Sterling, on the W&OD trail. Pumped up our tires. Share our mission moment. And hit the trail. Starting temperature 36 degrees F, finishing temperature 42 degrees F. At least the sun was shining and it was beautiful, even if it was cold!!!!!!
Until that moment, I had not heard what our training plan for the day was going to be... Aaaaand... it was a 3 hour ride. First time in the saddle this year, and I rode 32 miles... with a few stops to warm hands and feet, and refuel.
Then, on Monday my personal honoured teammate Jenn started chemotherapy... It also just happened to be Leap Day.
My "Leap (in the lake) Day" fundraising campaign had been off to a slow and steady start... but on Monday morning there was a wild flurry of activity. I guess my friends, family and colleagues hadn't realized just how much they wanted see me jump in the lake in February until that very moment!
When we reached my "$1000 by noon on Leap Day" goal with time to spare, I called my husband to ask him what it would take to get him to leap in the lake with me... and together we upped the ante. If we reached $1600 by 16:00 (4pm) he would jump with me! His friends and colleagues answered our call and at 15:52 we hit the $1600 mark.
So here we are... taking the plunge, into the 38 degree F (3.3 degree C) lake near our house.
And here is a little video my husband filmed before and during our leap. I hope all my donors feel they got their money's worth! And know that it is going to support a terrific cause.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, it's not to late... you can do so right here:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ambbr16/MTataje
It's been a busy week (and it's only Wednesday!)
Saturday was the first Cycle Team training session that I have made it to thus far this season... We met out in Sterling, on the W&OD trail. Pumped up our tires. Share our mission moment. And hit the trail. Starting temperature 36 degrees F, finishing temperature 42 degrees F. At least the sun was shining and it was beautiful, even if it was cold!!!!!!
Until that moment, I had not heard what our training plan for the day was going to be... Aaaaand... it was a 3 hour ride. First time in the saddle this year, and I rode 32 miles... with a few stops to warm hands and feet, and refuel.
 |
| you probably can't tell that i'm wearing longjohns, wool sweater, wooly hat under helmet, gortex socks... and am still chilly! |
Then, on Monday my personal honoured teammate Jenn started chemotherapy... It also just happened to be Leap Day.
My "Leap (in the lake) Day" fundraising campaign had been off to a slow and steady start... but on Monday morning there was a wild flurry of activity. I guess my friends, family and colleagues hadn't realized just how much they wanted see me jump in the lake in February until that very moment!
When we reached my "$1000 by noon on Leap Day" goal with time to spare, I called my husband to ask him what it would take to get him to leap in the lake with me... and together we upped the ante. If we reached $1600 by 16:00 (4pm) he would jump with me! His friends and colleagues answered our call and at 15:52 we hit the $1600 mark.
So here we are... taking the plunge, into the 38 degree F (3.3 degree C) lake near our house.
And here is a little video my husband filmed before and during our leap. I hope all my donors feel they got their money's worth! And know that it is going to support a terrific cause.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, it's not to late... you can do so right here:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/ambbr16/MTataje
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