The Video...

Special thanks to our coach Jeff, who stayed up till 5am in the morning doing this video...

SPOTLIGHT: Cris Valerio

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Cris Valerio

A simple story, from a simple girl, about a simple day….that became not so simple…

The phone wakes me from my much-needed sleep.

I arrived in this new city exactly 39 hours ago. Since then I've been to Silicon Valley twice for interviews. I've been homeless for a night after corporate housing forgot to leave me the keys. I got seriously lost three times. I parked in the WRONG garage when I finally got into the RIGHT apartment, to then have my car towed.

All of that in 39 hours. I need my sleep!

'Cris,' says the deceivingly sweet voice. 'Do you hate me? Are you ready for our run?'
My dear, beautiful, athletic Courtney. Prompt as always for her workouts.

I look at the clock. It's 6:30AM. Did I mention this is Saturday?

We had agreed to do a bi-coastal run yesterday via email. For some reason, long runs always seem like a fabulous idea when written. But never, do they feel that way in action.

'Sure thing Court.' Click. Yeah Right.

I lay there in bed. My head starts to wander. The New York City Marathon is 3 weeks away. I know she is already in Central Park ready to run her scheduled 22 miles. Courtney NEVER misses a practice. I miss them as a rule.

We're a good workout team, at least I think so. I'm the one that convinced her it's OK to skip a run for a margarita. She's the one that convinced me that discipline is not just a church word.

I haven't trained at all for this monster of a task.
To be fair, I've been in 2 triathlons this summer. That's what I tell myself.

Damn it Court. Now I'm awake. I wander over to the closet, pull on my new sneakers, a bright pink running skirt and a trainer. I love running in skirts.

I get on mapmyrun.com -- find a 15 miler that starts about 2-3 miles from my current location in Marin County. That should be good. It ends at Pier 3 in San Francisco. I can just grab the ferry to return. (In retrospect I laugh at my own ignorance.)

As I'm writing the directions down, I stuff the typical long run necessities you would need in NYC: my debit card, my ID and my iPhone.

I'm out the door. It is COLD!!! Wow, what was I thinking wearing a running skirt?!


I'm about 4-5 miles in when the suburbs start thinning. The hills get steeper and before I know it, I'm running a full-on MOUNTAIN somewhere between Larkspur and Sausalito.

Every steep corner I turn, I face death. Literally. I know I'm prone to exaggerate, but THIS TIME is for real! I promise…

There are literally HUNDREDS of cyclists speeding down this hill. Every one of them gives me this look that implies: Are you crazy? Pink?

7 miles in, I'm starting to get worried. All I see are hills ahead. I'm huffing and puffing like I've smoked for 20 years. I look like a mix between Frankenstein's bride and Barney (my face matches my skirt at this point).

Where are the stores to buy water? That's what I do in NYC! When is this hill going to go DOWN? What if I die? Is anyone going to find me?

At least I have my license on hand so they can identify my remains….but what a TERRIBLE picture! I don't want to be remembered as a blonde. Ever the broadcast journalist, I can picture my mug shot on screen….

9 miles ….I'm finally going downhill. I'm flying. I've got Eddie Vedder singing to me about a Hard Sun -- I don't see one. The view IS stunning. For a moment I forget that I can't feel my legs.

I feel them again quickly as I trip over a rock and veer towards the cliff only to run right into a redwood branch. Up close and personal with my new hometown.

11 miles in - a blessed gas station. I waddle in, grab a bottle of water and run to pay it.
'M'am you must spend 10 dollars to use your debit card.'

'You have got to be kidding me. Fine -- charge me for whatever, just give me the water!' I somehow pant to the poor Indian man who is trying desperately to avoid my stench.

Water in hand, I run out.
13 miles in -- I'm in Sausalito. The view is amazing. I'm so excited about my new hometown.

I feel so blessed--I often feel the weight of the world when I'm trying to justify the life I've been given. When you grow up in a third world country with parents whose sole purpose is to help others, the guilt complex becomes very pronounced. Thanks mom and dad...geesh!

Suddenly, the weight I feel becomes much more tangible. I look at the hill ahead of me. I must cross it to get to the Golden Gate Bridge. The biggest hills I've ever run are Cat and Harlem Hill in Central Park. My dear triathlon buddies….you know what I'm talking about…. Compared to this, those seem like speed bumps.

There is NO way I can do this marathon! What was I thinking? Why the HELL am I running?

I started running as a tribute to my health and to raise money in memory of my grandmother.

I kept running because it reminded me I was not alone.

In the 13 cities I've lived in my life -- there have always been runners. People running after soccer balls, running after kids, running from the cops, dogs, and women. People running in the park, the desert, the sand. Running towards dreams. Cheesy, but true.

I'm running right now because I want to feel alive…. and I hate quitting.

Grandpa has never quit anything in his life. That's what THIS race is about. Terry Garland. The man who taught me to love and live life to the fullest! My grandfather may forget some things now, but he NEVER forgets what it's like to run towards dreams. 

Mile 14 - I see the Golden Gate Bridge ahead. The tourists are all trying to avoid me. I'm running like a drunken woman right now. Plus, have I mentioned I stink?

Mile 17 - Fisherman's Warf - It's Fleet Week. There is more food, more tourists, more distractions than I care to name. I can't even remember my name right now. It is beautiful though. The old man that I passed 3 miles back runs past me. I'm pathetic.

18 Miles and 3.3 hours later (hey…slow but there were MOUNTAINS!!) I'm still not sure I can finish an actual marathon. But I know that I LOVE my new hometown!

I could tell you about how once I made it to my final destination I was so delirious I spilled coffee on my lap and got second degree burns down my thighs (seriously).

I could tell you how I missed the ferry back to Larkspur, almost missed a plane to LA, and have been so sore I haven't been able to walk upright since….But that's another story.

I may have moved to San Francisco, but I left my heart in NYC. On November 1st I'll be joining more than 38,000 runners from around the world attacking life head on.

Help me do this for my Grandpa and all of those living with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Regardless, I hope this letter has given you some laughs, finds you loving and living life to its fullest.

Spotlight: Elias Cohen

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Elias Cohen

My Grandfather Morris Cohen began suffering from Alzheimer's late in my teens. He had been the patriarch of our family -- leading Passover Seder in joyous song as our family Cantor, charming all the women of Delray with his happy demeanor and just being a fun-loving guy. Seeing him lose all that and just kinda fade away was heartbreaking. I run this marathon to remember him. When I hit that wall at mile 19 (and hopefully not sooner...), the pain will be nothing compared to that which he endured.

I met my wife 6 years ago and when she moved to New York she quickly became active in New York's Alzheimer's Association Junior Committee -- chairing the annual gala and serving as Vice President. She lost both of her grandfathers to Alzheimer's -- Tony "Papou" Karas and Ralph Shepard. Together we have made Alzheimer's personal enemy number one -- fighting it through raising both money and social awareness.

This is my first marathon. Wish me luck.

Come out to my fundraising event this Friday, October 23rd from 9-11pm in my efforts to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association, for whom I'm running the NYC Marathon! It's an all you can drink Happy Hour for 2 hours, see below! Please feel free to bring friends...the more the merrier!

Hope to see ya'll there!!

Tracy Heller

SPOTLIGHT: Melissa Burnett

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Melissa Burnett

I only know my Grandma Anne by photographs of us together when I was 2 and she was around 50. Shortly after those photos, she quickly was overtaken by Alzheimer’s. She was a very extreme case where she didn’t speak, make movements, or acknowledge anyone around her. I remember being 8 years old, driving on a road trip to visit my Grandfather and we were stopping by to see my Grandmother in the Nursing Home. We arrived at the Nursing home and remember being so nervous. WE walk into my Grandmother’s room, my dad had to introduce himself to his own mother as if he had never met her before. “Mom, this is your son, How are you?” he would say. Then he would gently place his hand on each of his children’s backs and push us to her bed side. He would continue the introductions with each of his children, “Mom, this is Melissa, your granddaughter”. And my grandmother was just lying there, staring up to Heaven, not saying a word, not making a sound, not doing anything. This disease had taken over her as if she was in a shell and she just couldn’t get out. She lived like this for many years and it wasn’t until I was about 14 that the disease finally let her go. I remember that day-crying, and seeing my dad cry for the first time. I knew they were tears of sadness for losing his mother, but also joy as he knew she would finally be at peace and would be able to finally be Anne again.

I originally began volunteering for the Alzheimer’s association because I wanted to give my time to help find a cure for this disease. I now volunteer for the Team Run 2 Remember, because I find that a cause like this needs to be spread across every avenue and every platform. Running for me helps “cure” all my pain and I hope that running can do the same to this disease.

SPOTLIGHT: Jeffrey LeBlanc

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Jeffrey LeBlanc

In 2007, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Watching her degeneration has been sad and frustrating, but she's a strong and amazing woman at the age of 94. You can see that she is suffering, but trying to fight it inside.

When I was younger, I fondly remember my grandma taking me to McDonald's for playtime and burgers. It's funny, but sometimes it's the ordinary moments in life that are most memorable. She is sweet, loving and thoughtful and always looked out for me.

Fortunately, my parents are still able to spend quality time with her in Florida. She still enjoys getting her hair and nails done and my dad's walks with her around a local lake. I only get to see her now when I visit with my parents, but it's always a joy. Her strength is an inspiration to me.

I am coaching this team and running this race in honor of my grandma and in memory of my wife's grandmother. It's time to put an end to this nasty disease once and for all. It's time to run to remember.

SPOTLIGHT: Gabriela Patel

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Gabriela Patel

My grandmother, Maria Gray, was born in 1929 in a small town called, Questocomate in Mexico.
She had eight children who called her by the nickname "Ama" which means "mother" in Spanish.

Growing up, all of us grandchildren also called her Ama, which was fitting since she cared for us like a mother but also didn't like to sound old by being called "abuelita" (grandmother)!

Ama was always cooking something delicious- Mexican rice, albondigas, rice pudding, chiles rellenos- and would always make enough for us to take home or give to the neighbor.

She loved music and when she wasn't playing Mariachi ballads, she was singing or humming her favorite tune.

In 1995, we noticed a change in Ama. She would become forgetful and at times aggressive.

I didn't think anything of it until one weekend when we were driving to Palm Springs and she began accusing us of kidnapping her.

She said we were going to drop her off in the desert because she was old and we didn't love her anymore.
I was shocked to hear Ama speak this way but knew this was the beginning of the end.

The disease quickly took over. When she was bedridden, she would often come in and out of clarity.

One day, there was a Mariachi band playing on TV and she mumbled "turn it up."

Other times, she would fight with my mother, as she changed her clothing, and then suddenly grab her hand and look into her eyes and say, "thank you for everything."

On Christmas Day, 2003, Ama passed away. I believe she is now an angel watching over us.

I have had to postpone my marathon entry until 2010 but will continue to support the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Ama and everyone else that is affected.

SPOTLIGHT: ...

Each week we will be picking three (3) members to spotlight to tell their alzheimer's story and why they are running in this year's New York City marathon. Check in each day or week for new updates on who will be spotlighted and get to know your teammates...(each person is picked at random)

SPOTLIGHT: Jason Madden

I was originally inspired to run the ING NYC 2009 Marathon by my girlfriend, Tricia Amy. Her involvement with the Junior Committee and her recollection of her experience with her mother are both impressive and touching. As we began our training early in the summer, it was daily runs with Tricia that made the training fun and sustainable.

As the training process progressed, I became reacquainted with the memory of my grandmother, Regina McCormack Ormond. She had passed away while I was still very young. My memory of her was when she was in the late stages of the disease, and I never knew her without the disease. In fact, I recall very vividly on one occasion trying to get her attention, but she did not even seem to be aware that I was in her presence. I must have been about 5 years old (given the timing of her passing), and I remember asking my mother why grandma didn't want to respond to me. It was very confusing, to be honest.

So I now have two reasons to train for and complete the marathon. I know that Tricia has posted her blog, but I think it would be appropriate to provide some background information on my grandmother (care of my mother and her two sisters):

Regina McCormack was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 20, 1901. She was the only daughter to Catherine and John McCormack, a Captain in the New York City Fire Department. Her mother died when she was 14 years old and she was raised by her father. Regina went on to become a New York City school teacher.

In 1939 she married James Ormond a New York City Fireman. Together they raised six children. In 1950 Regina returned to teaching and taught at PS 222 in Brooklyn, New York until 1966. Shortly after her retirement she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. She remained at home and lived with her husband and youngest daughter until 1971. In September, 1971 she went to live at Frances Schervier Nursing Home in Riverdale, New York where she lived until she died on January 8, 1979.

Regina was a very kind and caring woman. There are many a story of the people she helped and encouraged to finish their education. She was adamant about her own children going to college and graduating and worked to make sure they all had the best education available to them at the time. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to sit and visit with her children.