Is this really happening?! | 🇺🇸 Las Vegas (NV), United States of America |
Running across America seemed like such an impossible task to fulfill last summer when I was bedbound for 2 months after 3 relatively disappointing treatments. I had the hope that the treatments and full rest would magically cure my post-concussion syndrome (PCS), so I could be back on the field hockey turf ASAP to play my senior season of college and train for the 4K for cancer a year later. Unfortunately, a medical disqualification was the result when I ran out of treatment options according to my team doctor. Little did I know then that I would find an amazing physician, Dr. Hains, on campus who helped me with (most of) the headaches and an incredible counselor to get me back in a positive mindset.
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The rest is history, I AM RUNNING FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO BALTIMORE! It is REALLY happening this year and I couldn’t be happier to participate in this big athletic event dedicated to Leighton, my cousin’s baby, with 20 other incredible teammates. Below you can follow our journey in my online diary:
DAY 1 ⠀
San Francisco, CA ➡️ Vacaville, CA ⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 16km (10miles) ⠀
🛤Team mileage: 163.5km (102.2miles) ⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 4102.4 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Mads ⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Ian Klein, Milena, and Bonfire⠀
💕Today I dedicate my day to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen, Mom & Dad,
and Team Baltimore 2018 ⠀
WE ARE ON OUR WAY! Such a magical moment to run over the Golden Gate Bridge with 21 other individuals who are - literally - all facing the same direction this summer. Already love this team as I love my family, like running hand-in-hand with teammate Laurel and encouraging each other after every 2 mile segment back to the van. Falling in love with this country more, and more: the Lama’s, Donkey’s and Roosters even cheered us on from the road!
⠀
MORE ABOUT LEIGHTON:⠀
Leighton Hailey is the main reason why I am dedicating this summer to running across America and support other families & communities affected by this terrible disease. Leighton was only 6 months old when she was diagnosed with a brutal and rare form of myeloid leukemia... she was only allowed to turn 1 year old until her body was too weak to fight this monster. But, she ALWAYS smiled and brought smiles to all of our faces!
⠀
MORE ABOUT MY PARENTS:⠀
I literally thank my life to these amazing individuals who are always supportive and encouraging me to be the person I could be. We’ve been through a lot together and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. Cancer has affected our family tremendously, but luckily hasn’t touched you two. Even a scary heart attack and lung infection in Turkey, when I was 4 years old, and 2 more surgeries in those following 2 years couldn’t get us apart. Dad, Happy Fathers Day. This one is for you! Love you so much.
DAY 1 ⠀
San Francisco, CA ➡️ Vacaville, CA ⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 16km (10miles) ⠀
🛤Team mileage: 163.5km (102.2miles) ⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 4102.4 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Mads ⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Ian Klein, Milena, and Bonfire⠀
💕Today I dedicate my day to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen, Mom & Dad,
and Team Baltimore 2018 ⠀
WE ARE ON OUR WAY! Such a magical moment to run over the Golden Gate Bridge with 21 other individuals who are - literally - all facing the same direction this summer. Already love this team as I love my family, like running hand-in-hand with teammate Laurel and encouraging each other after every 2 mile segment back to the van. Falling in love with this country more, and more: the Lama’s, Donkey’s and Roosters even cheered us on from the road!
⠀
MORE ABOUT LEIGHTON:⠀
Leighton Hailey is the main reason why I am dedicating this summer to running across America and support other families & communities affected by this terrible disease. Leighton was only 6 months old when she was diagnosed with a brutal and rare form of myeloid leukemia... she was only allowed to turn 1 year old until her body was too weak to fight this monster. But, she ALWAYS smiled and brought smiles to all of our faces!
⠀
MORE ABOUT MY PARENTS:⠀
I literally thank my life to these amazing individuals who are always supportive and encouraging me to be the person I could be. We’ve been through a lot together and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. Cancer has affected our family tremendously, but luckily hasn’t touched you two. Even a scary heart attack and lung infection in Turkey, when I was 4 years old, and 2 more surgeries in those following 2 years couldn’t get us apart. Dad, Happy Fathers Day. This one is for you! Love you so much.
DAY 2⠀
Vacaville, CA ➡️ Placerville, CA ⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 16km (10mi) ⠀
🛤Team mileage: 173km (108mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 3,984 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Juliana ⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Hilde & Joop Dudart, Jasmijn van Willenswaard, and Pip Bosma⠀
💕Today I dedicate my miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Opa & Oma Hartman, Ryan, and Michelle⠀
⠀
Ran through the vineyards and rolling hills of Northern California with teammate Juliana today, which route had absolutely gorgeous views! Some of them reminded me to the African savannah and we all know my big love for that continent and the safari experience I had there in 2014. Without Africa, I would not be where I am today; running across America. With that fact and the names written on my arms and legs, I felt super strong & healthy today to finish our 5 legs of 3.2km (2mi)! Also had a fun time bonding with Juliana and talking about Virginia Tech, my future alma mater!! ⠀
⠀
MORE ABOUT RYAN: ⠀
My team and I dedicated our miles to Ryan, who was our church host’s nephew. He passed away from lung cancer when he was only 29 years old. Meeting the church ladies and gentleman Sunday night and hearing their cancer connections was shocking and emotional. Bizarre how much of an impact this monster has on so, so many lives... ⠀
Vacaville, CA ➡️ Placerville, CA ⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 16km (10mi) ⠀
🛤Team mileage: 173km (108mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 3,984 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Juliana ⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Hilde & Joop Dudart, Jasmijn van Willenswaard, and Pip Bosma⠀
💕Today I dedicate my miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Opa & Oma Hartman, Ryan, and Michelle⠀
⠀
Ran through the vineyards and rolling hills of Northern California with teammate Juliana today, which route had absolutely gorgeous views! Some of them reminded me to the African savannah and we all know my big love for that continent and the safari experience I had there in 2014. Without Africa, I would not be where I am today; running across America. With that fact and the names written on my arms and legs, I felt super strong & healthy today to finish our 5 legs of 3.2km (2mi)! Also had a fun time bonding with Juliana and talking about Virginia Tech, my future alma mater!! ⠀
⠀
MORE ABOUT RYAN: ⠀
My team and I dedicated our miles to Ryan, who was our church host’s nephew. He passed away from lung cancer when he was only 29 years old. Meeting the church ladies and gentleman Sunday night and hearing their cancer connections was shocking and emotional. Bizarre how much of an impact this monster has on so, so many lives... ⠀
DAY 3 ⠀
Placerville, CA ➡️ Carson City, NV⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 12.8km (8mi)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 166km (104mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 10,781 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Liz⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Mama & Papa, Rob Dreijer, and Nancy Prins⠀
💕Today I dedicate my miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Opa & Oma van Leeuwen, and John’s family. ⠀
⠀
Did you ever play with snow in the middle of June while comfortably wearing shorts?! We did! On day 3, we had to cover over 3000m (10,000ft) in elevation while crossing the Sierra Nevada mountain range and ran into a bunch of snow. We had to detour and shuttle for hours to get around it, even helped another truck who got stuck in the snow and saved our other van who ran out of gas in the mountains. We ended this adventurous day with a very emotional and lengthy “why” conversation at night. Everyone is amazing! ⠀
⠀
MORE ABOUT JOHN: ⠀
Every morning, we start with our dedication circle and we explain to each other why we wrote the names on our body to dedicate our miles too. On top of that, every day someone shares another (personal or Ulman) story. John’s world was impacted tremendously by cancer, which is why our team dedicated our day to him too. ⠀
Placerville, CA ➡️ Carson City, NV⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 12.8km (8mi)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 166km (104mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 10,781 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Liz⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Mama & Papa, Rob Dreijer, and Nancy Prins⠀
💕Today I dedicate my miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Opa & Oma van Leeuwen, and John’s family. ⠀
⠀
Did you ever play with snow in the middle of June while comfortably wearing shorts?! We did! On day 3, we had to cover over 3000m (10,000ft) in elevation while crossing the Sierra Nevada mountain range and ran into a bunch of snow. We had to detour and shuttle for hours to get around it, even helped another truck who got stuck in the snow and saved our other van who ran out of gas in the mountains. We ended this adventurous day with a very emotional and lengthy “why” conversation at night. Everyone is amazing! ⠀
⠀
MORE ABOUT JOHN: ⠀
Every morning, we start with our dedication circle and we explain to each other why we wrote the names on our body to dedicate our miles too. On top of that, every day someone shares another (personal or Ulman) story. John’s world was impacted tremendously by cancer, which is why our team dedicated our day to him too. ⠀
DAY 4 - Rest Day ⠀
📍 Carson City, NV
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 0⠀
🛤Team mileage: 0⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 0⠀
👭Running buddy: none⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Mary Verwer, Ricky Voorn, and Caroline Albers⠀
💕Today I dedicate to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen⠀
⠀
Today, we had our first rest and service day. We started the morning off with an amazing “sleep in” till 7:15am before we head out to volunteer at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. We listened to talks from health providers and survivors, and toured the facility and lodges to meet current patients getting treatment. It was emotional but beautiful to see the cancer support system in Carson City, the capital of Nevada.⠀
⠀
In the afternoon we had time to visit Lake Tahoe and relax at the beach in the middle of the (snowy) mountains. The water was very refreshing, like a free, natural ice bath, haha. Tomorrow, the team is heading back to California to stay the night in Bridgeport. ⠀
📍 Carson City, NV
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 0⠀
🛤Team mileage: 0⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 0⠀
👭Running buddy: none⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Mary Verwer, Ricky Voorn, and Caroline Albers⠀
💕Today I dedicate to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen⠀
⠀
Today, we had our first rest and service day. We started the morning off with an amazing “sleep in” till 7:15am before we head out to volunteer at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. We listened to talks from health providers and survivors, and toured the facility and lodges to meet current patients getting treatment. It was emotional but beautiful to see the cancer support system in Carson City, the capital of Nevada.⠀
⠀
In the afternoon we had time to visit Lake Tahoe and relax at the beach in the middle of the (snowy) mountains. The water was very refreshing, like a free, natural ice bath, haha. Tomorrow, the team is heading back to California to stay the night in Bridgeport. ⠀
DAY 5 ⠀
Carson City, NV ➡️ Bridgeport, CA⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 0 (host van)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 155km (97mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 9462 feet⠀
👭Host van buddy: Lauren⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Danny & Sharona van Leeuwen, Tim Pessel,
and Chipotle⠀
💕Today I dedicate my day to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen, Emily,
and Papa Myrthe⠀
⠀
Today, Lauren and I were chosen to drive the host van. Driving the host van means you are responsible for the food donations to feed the team instead of running. Instead of running 10 miles, our duty for the day was now to get dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks secured to save money. This way, 100% of our fundraising efforts go to the Ulman Foundation in support of young adult cancer. Honestly, we killed it! We got over $250 worth of food donations and supplies from places such as Trader Joe’s, Walmart, In-and-Out, Walgreens, Port of Subs, Hacienda Market & Grill, and Flat Earth Pizza. The people in this community are SO amazing!
⠀
MORE ABOUT Myrthe’s Dad: ⠀
“Myrthe’s vader was iemand die er altijd was voor zijn gezin. Een liefdevolle vader. Een vader die voor zijn vrouw, 2 dochters en hond de wereld zou verschuiven. Vorig jaar in maart kreeg Myrthe’s familie te horen dat hij de diagnose longkanker had. Na 6 intense weken verloor hij het gevecht tegen deze ziekte.”
Carson City, NV ➡️ Bridgeport, CA⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 0 (host van)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 155km (97mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 9462 feet⠀
👭Host van buddy: Lauren⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Danny & Sharona van Leeuwen, Tim Pessel,
and Chipotle⠀
💕Today I dedicate my day to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen, Emily,
and Papa Myrthe⠀
⠀
Today, Lauren and I were chosen to drive the host van. Driving the host van means you are responsible for the food donations to feed the team instead of running. Instead of running 10 miles, our duty for the day was now to get dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks secured to save money. This way, 100% of our fundraising efforts go to the Ulman Foundation in support of young adult cancer. Honestly, we killed it! We got over $250 worth of food donations and supplies from places such as Trader Joe’s, Walmart, In-and-Out, Walgreens, Port of Subs, Hacienda Market & Grill, and Flat Earth Pizza. The people in this community are SO amazing!
⠀
MORE ABOUT Myrthe’s Dad: ⠀
“Myrthe’s vader was iemand die er altijd was voor zijn gezin. Een liefdevolle vader. Een vader die voor zijn vrouw, 2 dochters en hond de wereld zou verschuiven. Vorig jaar in maart kreeg Myrthe’s familie te horen dat hij de diagnose longkanker had. Na 6 intense weken verloor hij het gevecht tegen deze ziekte.”
DAY 6 ⠀
Bridgeport, CA ➡️ Bishop, CA⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 19.2km (12mi)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 186km (116mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 5,208 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Katelyn⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Familie Meijer, Thijs Pielage, and Applebee’s⠀
💕Today I dedicate my miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Mick Johnstone, and Hedda ⠀
⠀
After 2 days off for Lauren and I because of the host van duty, our legs were fresh and ready for the individual 12 miles ahead of us; my longest run ever! The scenery was amazing and the landscape varied from snowy mountains to salty lakes and farmlands. Lots of hills and an individual elevation gain of 600+ meters (1800ft) again too! We’ll be foam rolling and icing our legs a lot tonight at our host in Bishop, California, haha. Tomorrow, we are crossing the state line back to Nevada, which brings us close to Death Valley...
Bridgeport, CA ➡️ Bishop, CA⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 19.2km (12mi)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 186km (116mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 5,208 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Katelyn⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Familie Meijer, Thijs Pielage, and Applebee’s⠀
💕Today I dedicate my miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Mick Johnstone, and Hedda ⠀
⠀
After 2 days off for Lauren and I because of the host van duty, our legs were fresh and ready for the individual 12 miles ahead of us; my longest run ever! The scenery was amazing and the landscape varied from snowy mountains to salty lakes and farmlands. Lots of hills and an individual elevation gain of 600+ meters (1800ft) again too! We’ll be foam rolling and icing our legs a lot tonight at our host in Bishop, California, haha. Tomorrow, we are crossing the state line back to Nevada, which brings us close to Death Valley...
DAY 7 ⠀
Bishop, CA ➡️ Beatty, NV ⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 16km (10mi)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 242km (151mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 8,145 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Mady⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Sjaak & Liubov van Leeuwen, Lukas Pielage,
and Wesley Hanlon⠀
💕Today I dedicate my 10 miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Kathy Romine, Paul, Gill, and Lina⠀
⠀
We quickly realized that every terrain and landscape has its own challenges. Today I was in van 2 with running partner Mady, which means that we start running from roughly midway to the next host. Our van got lucky and had most of the downhill. However, we only ran 2 highways with heavy wind in our faces, which wasn’t easy either. Glad I had Mady next to me! At night the team went to Death Valley National Park. It looked like we just landed on Mars - the desert was so foreign and surreal to me!
⠀
MORE ABOUT Kathy Romine: ⠀
Kathy had breast cancer and was diagnosed her daughter’s senior year of high school as Claire was applying and touring colleges. Despite Kathy’s diagnosis, she still attended all of Claire’s college visits, lacrosse and soccer games, and senior prom. She has been Claire’s biggest role model in life and motivator. Claire took up running because she was angry at that fact that somebody so strong and healthy was diagnosed with this disease. Claire found out about 4K through social media and knew this would be the perfect opportunity to combine her love for running and helping those in need. She ran the 4K with Team Baltimore in 2018.
Bishop, CA ➡️ Beatty, NV ⠀
⠀
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 16km (10mi)⠀
🛤Team mileage: 242km (151mi)⠀
🏔Total elevation gain: 8,145 feet⠀
👭Running buddy: Mady⠀
🏆Donation shout out: Sjaak & Liubov van Leeuwen, Lukas Pielage,
and Wesley Hanlon⠀
💕Today I dedicate my 10 miles to: Leighton Hailey van Leeuwen,
Kathy Romine, Paul, Gill, and Lina⠀
⠀
We quickly realized that every terrain and landscape has its own challenges. Today I was in van 2 with running partner Mady, which means that we start running from roughly midway to the next host. Our van got lucky and had most of the downhill. However, we only ran 2 highways with heavy wind in our faces, which wasn’t easy either. Glad I had Mady next to me! At night the team went to Death Valley National Park. It looked like we just landed on Mars - the desert was so foreign and surreal to me!
⠀
MORE ABOUT Kathy Romine: ⠀
Kathy had breast cancer and was diagnosed her daughter’s senior year of high school as Claire was applying and touring colleges. Despite Kathy’s diagnosis, she still attended all of Claire’s college visits, lacrosse and soccer games, and senior prom. She has been Claire’s biggest role model in life and motivator. Claire took up running because she was angry at that fact that somebody so strong and healthy was diagnosed with this disease. Claire found out about 4K through social media and knew this would be the perfect opportunity to combine her love for running and helping those in need. She ran the 4K with Team Baltimore in 2018.
Total Stats for Week 1:
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 80.0 kilometers (50.0 miles)
🛤Team mileage: 1,085.5 kilometers (678.4 miles)
🏔Total elevation gain: 12,704 meters (41,682 feet)
Upcoming Route for Week 2:
Sunday (June 23rd): Beatty, NV – Las Vegas, NV
Monday (June 24th): Rest Day in Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday (June 25th): Las Vegas, NV – St. George, UT
Wednesday (June 26th): St. George, UT – Hurricane, UT
Thursday (June 27th): Hurricane, UT – Page, AZ
Friday (June 28th): Rest Day in Page, AZ
Saturday (June 29th): Page, AZ – Bluff, UT
This brings me to the end of week 1. A physically and emotionally exhausting week, but the memories made with teammates and hosts, and the views of incredible mountain ranges and Death Valley National Park is something I will never, ever forget. Every 4:30 AM wake-up is worth it when you are surrounded by motivational people and thoughts. Waking up without headaches is even better! #goals
Thank you for reading my first blog update on the 4K for cancer run across America!
Stay tuned for week 2 and 3 coming your way very, very soon.
Love, Illona.
🏃🏽♀️Personal mileage: 80.0 kilometers (50.0 miles)
🛤Team mileage: 1,085.5 kilometers (678.4 miles)
🏔Total elevation gain: 12,704 meters (41,682 feet)
Upcoming Route for Week 2:
Sunday (June 23rd): Beatty, NV – Las Vegas, NV
Monday (June 24th): Rest Day in Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday (June 25th): Las Vegas, NV – St. George, UT
Wednesday (June 26th): St. George, UT – Hurricane, UT
Thursday (June 27th): Hurricane, UT – Page, AZ
Friday (June 28th): Rest Day in Page, AZ
Saturday (June 29th): Page, AZ – Bluff, UT
This brings me to the end of week 1. A physically and emotionally exhausting week, but the memories made with teammates and hosts, and the views of incredible mountain ranges and Death Valley National Park is something I will never, ever forget. Every 4:30 AM wake-up is worth it when you are surrounded by motivational people and thoughts. Waking up without headaches is even better! #goals
Thank you for reading my first blog update on the 4K for cancer run across America!
Stay tuned for week 2 and 3 coming your way very, very soon.
Love, Illona.