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Stop Heart Disease and
Go Red For Women
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Stop Heart Disease and
Go Red For Women
Team T has partnered with Swami’s cycling club in Encinitas California to form the Swami’s/Team T cycling team which will participate in the Race Across America 24 Hour Challenge on June 8, 2008. Although Tonya will not be riding, her husband, Mark will join seven other riders for the race which starts at sea level in Oceanside California and follows 500 grueling miles through deserts and mountainous terrain to finish in Flagstaff Arizona at over 6800 feet elevation.
The Swami’s/Team T cycling team has 2 goals:
Swami’s/Team T Cycling Team
Riders:
Thomas Austin
Mike Byrd
Eric Conklin
Geoff Doyle
Roger Lakey
Jon Martin
Mark Meyer
Duane Noel
Support Crew:
Richard Conklin
Mark DeWeese
Warren Gross
Brent Pickett
Don Stump
Tonya is joined by several members of Team T at the finish. Back row L to R: Cecil
Janisen, Becky Graul, Gina Potter, Robert Deeds, Patti
Geiger, Shana Byers, & Tonya Henderson-Meyer. Front Row
L to R: Brian Potter & Mark Meyer with some future
marathoners sprinkled in.
January 7, 2007
Despite tough conditions in Orlando, Tonya & ten other members of Team T completed the 26.2-mile marathon on January 7th, 2007. Three of the eleven Team T runners completed Goofy’s Challenge, a half-marathon on January 6th followed by the full marathon on January 7th. Goofy is only one word we use to describe these folks.
Tonya started her marathon day with a 3am wake-up call and was at Epcot shortly after 4am. The race started with fireworks at 6 am and we crossed the start line about ten minutes after the start. It was warm and humid even at 6am. Once the sun came up, conditions got even more fun. It was a bright, sunny, humid day with temperatures in the mid 80’s. Thankfully, the course was flat & Disney characters, marching bands, and race supporters provided for some fun distractions along the way. Unfortunately we saw several runners collapse after the race and one poor fellow collapsed only fifty feet from the finish.
Even though none of us threatened any race records, all finished within the time limit. Tonya was joined at the finish by her parents, children, & the other runners of Team T. It was a special moment for all of us. Thankfully, Tonya declared that she had no immediate plans for another marathon, but has already planned for the Disneyland Half-Marathon on Labor Day weekend 2007.
See you there!
February, 2007
Team T has two main objectives. The first is to support the American Heart Association by increasing awareness of heart disease and raising funds through our efforts at the Walt Disney World Marathon. The second is to provide information from Tonya’s experience that may help others facing the same problem.
Since Team T was established in early 2006, we have been successful with both of these goals. We have raised almost $7000 for the American Heart Association and Tonya has recently been very active as a spokesperson for them. On February 1st & 2nd, Tonya was interviewed on both:
NBC (http://www.nbcsandiego.com/health/10912223/detail.html)
& CBS (http://www.kfmb.com/features/healthcast/story.php?id=79426 Click on the “watch video” prompt in the upper right hand corner of the page to see video).
Her story was also featured at the American Heart Association’s "Go Red for Women" event at the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado CA on February 2nd.
On February 14th, she will
be interviewed as part of a two-hour PBS special titled "The
Hidden Epidemic: Heart Disease in America" which will air at 9pm
PST on Valentine’s Day. Through this media coverage, we have
helped spread the word about the prevalence of heart disease
even among seemingly healthy, young individuals.
Our website has seen increased traffic. Tonya has received several messages from patients like her thanking her for sharing information about her experience and giving them the hope that they too will live a healthy, active lifestyle after valve surgery. This is perhaps the most gratifying part of our efforts.
Lastly, we have used the "CPR for Friends and Family" kits provided by Laerdal Medical to teach CPR in the community. By training non-medical people in the community we hope to give everyone the tools to save a life if the situation arises. So far, we have had two such teaching events and have taught more than fifty students the new updated CPR course. We have plans to continue these events and expand our efforts throughout 2007.
Look for us at the Disneyland Half-Marathon in Anaheim on Labor Day 2007!
February 2, 2007
Tonya & Mark are joined by family & friends at the American
Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" fund-raising event at the
Hotel Del Coronado on February 2nd 2007. Tonya was interviewed
by CBS live at the event and her story was part of the day's
program.
Who is this Team T?
These are the runners of Team T.
But Team T is much more than its runners. It is the friends & family that supported & continue to support Tonya.
It is all those who dig deep when challenged instead of being beaten.
This is the team that strives to spread the word by the example of Tonya, how open-heart surgery can be a new beginning.
Age: 37
Hometown: San Diego CA
Occupation: Pediatrician
Background in endurance events: Carlsbad Half-Marathon 2005
What attracted you to do a marathon? I have wanted to run a marathon for about twenty years. I actually registered & trained for the LA Marathon in 1990 but was sick race weekend & never raced. I ran for fitness & sanity all through college & medical school. I decided to start training again after our youngest daughter was a year old. The Carlsbad Half Marathon in 2005 was supposed to be a stepping-stone for a marathon later that year. Instead I had heart surgery later in 2005, but now I’m back for another try.
How will you prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon? First I plan to get comfortable running five miles on a regular basis followed by an 18-week training schedule starting in August.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Time away from family. Time enough to train. Trying not to let it in my brain too much that I am dealing with the unknown!
Other sports of interest: Chasing four kids around all day!
Age: 37
Hometown: San Diego CA
Occupation: Emergency Physician
Background in endurance events: Race Across America (RAAM) 2004 as part of division-winning R2R cycling team. This will be my first marathon.
What attracted you to do a marathon? My primary interest is not running, but cycling. But when Tonya asked me to join her for this event, I could not say no. I’m thrilled at the opportunity to share this experience with her.
How will you prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon? The last year made my training rather non-existent. I plan to spend a few months on the bike shedding some pounds and rebuilding cardiovascular strength, then I’ll start running shorter distances followed by Tonya’s 18-week marathon plan. I haven’t run 20+ miles since cross-country in high school.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Time to train is the challenge of any athlete with a full-time job & a family. It is tough to leave the kids when they want to play so I can torture myself on the road. I expect we’ll get some use out of the kids’ bikes and the jogging stroller.
Other sports of interest: Cycling, Kayaking, Ice Hockey, & Rock Climbing.
Age: 39 (I'll be 40 at the time of the marathon.)
Hometown: San Diego, California
Occupation: Second Grade Teacher
Background in endurance events: San Diego Marathon 2000 & 2001
San Diego Half Marathon 2002
What attracted you to do a marathon? I have always wanted to run the Walt Disney World Marathon. One of the most difficult aspects of long distance running is the boredom. I can't imagine a more interesting place to run that the parks at Walt Disney World. I am counting on the characters, the music, and the atmosphere to keep me distracted as I run 26.2 miles.
How will you prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon I will train with San Diego Fit. They helped me prepare for my first two marathons. They have a great program!
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? I don't have any real health issues other than pronated flat feet. My greatest obstacle is finding the time to run.
Other sports of interest: Running is the only sport I participate in on a regular basis.
Age: 44
Hometown: San Diego CA
Occupation: Pharmacist
Background in endurance events: Silver Strand Half-Marathon, Walt Disney World Half-Marathon, Rock n’ Roll Marathon San Diego, Walt Disney World Marathon, & Oceanside Half-Ironman,
What attracted you to do a marathon? It’s the only way Brian will take me to Walt Disney World
How will you prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon? Training at the time of the race seems to work fine for me. I will do the Sonoma Half-Marathon, Silver Strand Half-Marathon, and the Disneyland Half-Marathon to help prepare for the full marathon.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Inertia & gravity to name a few.
Other sports of interest: Cycling, Swimming, Skiing, House remodeling.
Age: 49
Hometown: San Diego CA
Occupation: Construction
Background in endurance events: Walt Disney World Marathon 2002, 2004, & 2006
Walt Disney World Half-marathon 2006 (the day before the marathon)
Rock N’ Roll Marathon San Diego 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003
Ironman California 2000
What attracted you to do a marathon? My first marathon was in 1978 and I wanted to do a marathon before I turned 40.
How will you prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon? 26 week program that I always use for marathons. My program starts at zero miles which I haven’t gotten to yet. It eventually works up to 26 miles over 26 weeks.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Time to train, just like everyone else.
Other sports of interest: Cycling, Swimming
Age: 39
Hometown: Encinitas CA
Occupation: Emergency Department Nurse and Mother to 7!
Background in endurance events: (Back in the day) – Multiple 5 & 10 K and half-marathons. San Francisco Marathon after my third child. Mount Whitney in 5:16. Nothing recently.
What attracted you to do the Walt Disney World marathon? Tonya and her determination to move forward with such persistence, my own recent health issues, a goal to keep me trekking as I haven't raced in ages. Oh yea, I get to go to Walt Disney World with my kids and have a blast and pull off a marathon....
How will you prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon? I will continue to run 5 short days a week until Sept. then try and put in a 18, 20 & 22 miler in November and December. Goals: not get injured training or during the race... I want to continue to run until I can't see.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Time Time Time
Other sports of interest: Kayaking, single track mountain bike trail running (with rattle snakes), mountain biking, skiing and flag football with my family-- all nine of us.
Age: 45
Hometown: La Mesa CA
Occupation: Operating Engineer
Background in endurance events: Bicycle Century Rides on tandem [(x8) 2000-2005]; Challenged Athletes Foundation Half Ironman relay team-tandem bike ('04, '05); SD Rock ' N' Roll Marathon ('04); Disney World Half Marathon ('04); Silverstrand Half Marathon ('03,'04)
What attracted you to do the Disney World marathon? Back in '04, my friends convinced me...dinner, good wine and that one fateful high five. Now, it's all for Tonya and Mark.
How will you prepare for the Disney World Marathon? I will train w/ West Coast Road Runners - 27 week program.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Foregoing my Sat AM La Jolla Cove swims, sigh. Ahh,...trading fins for 'tennies'. Also, upcoming work schedule changes will be challenging. Not to mention creaky bones.
Other sports of interest: Swimming, cycling, crossword puzzles.
Age: Old enough to know better
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Occupation: Marketing
Background in endurance events: 7 Houston Marathons, 1 Boston, 12 Indianapolis Half Marathons
What attracted you to do a marathon? Last full marathon I completed was in 2000 and needed an inspiration to do one more, Team T did it.
How will you prepare for the Disneyworld Marathon? One mile at a time.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Adding training time to my day job.
Other sports of interest: Whitewater rafting
Age: 51
Hometown: La Mesa CA
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
Background in endurance events: Bicycle Century Rides on tandem [(x8) 2000-2005]; Challenged Athletes Foundation Half Ironman relay team-tandem bike (2004,2005); SD Rock ' N' Roll Marathon (2004,2006); Disney World Marathon (2004); Silverstrand Half Marathon (2003,2004,2005)
What attracted you to do the Disney World marathon? I always like to be challenged and I will continue 'til I become old. Plus, I really want to support Tonya.
How will you prepare for the Disney World Marathon? San Diego Striders Running group and the 27 week training program with the West Coast Road Runners.
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Injury avoidance and time to train.
Other sports of interest: Swimming, hiking, cycling and dog walking.
Age: 36
Hometown: San Diego CA
Occupation: Emergency Physician
Background in endurance events: San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon, Honolulu Marathon
What attracted you to do a marathon? A lack of common sense and a desire to help celebrate Tonya’s recovery.
How will you prepare for the Disney World Marathon? Lots of ibuprofen and ice
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? Finding time to train and avoiding re-injury of my Achilles tendon.
Age: 50 years young
Hometown: San Diego CA
Occupation: Nurse Anesthetist
Background in endurance events: 12 walk/run marathons, 10 walk/run half marathons, 6 bike centuries, 2 Alcatraz swims, and one half ironman
What attracted you to do a marathon? My friends are doing the Disney marathon and told me about Team T. I am very honored to be a part of the team.
How will you prepare for the Disney World Marathon? My training will be running with the West Coast Road Runners training group
What obstacles must you overcome to complete your marathon? My obstacles are the same as the rest of the group which is needing more time. How about 30 hour days??
Other sports of interest: Ballroom/Latin dancing, swimming, biking, hiking, and white water rafting.
To contact us on donations, events, questions, or interest: Mark@TeamT.us or Tonya@TeamT.us