Disneyland Half and Update

The Disney Half Marathon was AWESOME!!! Definitely one I would do again.....although I may not stay out as late or walk as much the day before...oops! And I would definitely make sure I had food for before the race....double oops!!!

The run took us through both Disneyland and California Adventures, into downtown, across home plate at Angel Stadium and back through California Adventures. I...or should I say my alter self Cinderella (I dressed up) ran a great race. I started out slow, but steady and got faster as I continued each mile. Because this was a practice race for me I chose to do a run/walk method the entire time; a smart choice. By doing this I didn't have any injuries reoccur!!! Yeah!!

On the flip side....because I wanted to make the most out of my very short trip (total of 33hr.), I traveled early Saturday morning, walked all day (and night) at the parks, got only 4 short hours of sleep, ran the race, ate breakfast, found a cheap ride to the airport which only gave me 30 minutes to shower and pack, and finally traveled home. Needless to say I was EXHAUSTED when I arrived home and eventually caught a cold. Was it worth it...absolutely!!! Would I do it again....yes, but not the same way. :o)

Now, a little over a week later I am feeling better and went on a refreshing 3.8 mile run this evening. Time to gear up for San Jose Rock'n'Roll Half in 3 weeks!!!!

Fundraising Events Update:

• Well the Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction was a SUCCESS!!! We raised $6500+ to help in the fight of cancer!!! The top bid of the night was for $2500 for one of our Bachelorettes. However, ALL of our auctionees did a GREAT job and we couldn't have raised that much money without each one of them!!!! THANK YOU!!
• Saturday, October 3rd “Get Pickled While You Pickle”. That’s right...I’m having a pickling party. I will have everything you need to make YUMMY pickles....PLUS free food and drinks.

Please support me and my goals this season!!
I ONLY have $1300 more to raise to reach my goal of $4000!!!!
Whether it is moral or monetary....DONATE, DONATE, DONATE!!!!!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/honolulu09/dzlatunich

August 2 - 16th

Well as the training continues, so do the miles I run. Every week I am trying to run more miles in preparation for the Disney Half Marathon, SJ Half Marathon, SF Nike Women's Half Marathon, Cal International Marathon.

During the week of Aug. 2nd we had some high temperatures outside which created a challenge in my training. For those of you who know my history with running, I don't do well in the heat, so I either have to run early in the morning or late at night. Tuesday, Aug 4th I ran early in the morning with Brian and his South Bay teammates at Almaden Park. Getting up at the butt crack of dawn, aka 5:30am, is not my idea of fun, but once I was out there it was great....AND it was the first time Brian and I have run together! :o) On Thursday it was another HOT day, but I had to get a longer run in and I had track in the evening....so I decided to run right before track at Stanford. I was able to get in 3.8 miles around the Campus loop. Then Captain duties called and I was off to track. It was our second track workout and 2 mi. time trial. I ran another mile at track and then cheered on the participants as they ran for time. Everyone did such a great job and I got in close to 5 miles!!!

The following week (Aug. 9th) I was preparing for vacation, but needed to get in a few good runs. Tuesday I went out with Brian again early in the morning and ran 6 miles at Almaden Park. After my run I met with my teammates on the South Bay team to talk about our Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction. Wednesday I drove up to the woods (Cobb Mountain/Clear Lake) for some quality time with the family. This time of year means hill running for my training. Some stay away from hills, but personally I love them...hate them when I am running, but love how they train me, especially for Nike. While I was on vacation I ran twice, each time 4 miles. The route took me down one hill and then up gradual hills and up one very steep hill....now multiply that by 3 and you get my 4 mile route. I also played golf where I swung the club at least 4x more than everyone else and walked the course....great cross training if you ask me!! :o)

I have much more training to do, more fundraising to raise, more fun to have....

Please help support my efforts by making a donation to support cancer research in the fight against cancer!!!!

Fundraising Events:

I am having a Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction – “TNT Run At Love” on Saturday, September 12th. The venue is being held at the Zen Lounge in Mountain View and doors open at 7pm. Come out and bid on a date...you never know who you will meet!! There will be drink specials, too. $1 Coors Light, $2 Champagne, $3 Martini’s, $4 Don Julio Shots. More info to come. http://www.tntrunatlove.com

Saturday, October 3rd (still confirming date) “Get Pickled While You Pickle”. That’s right...I’m having a pickling party. I will have everything you need to make YUMMY pickles....PLUS free food and drinks.

All proceeds from my events will go towards my fundraising goal.

Online donations: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/honolulu09/dzlatunich

July 27-Aug 1

What a week...moving, training, interviewing....Phew!! I made it through a very busy week. My training suffered a bit, but I was able to manage a couple workouts with the TEAM.

We had our first official Track workout last Thursday at Gunn High School. It was SO amazing to watch all the new participants go out and try something new. Our coaches gave us a great core workout with lunges, squats, planks, and much more.

Saturday was an early day...I had a hard time getting out of bed. After moving all week, I was exhausted. I made my way to Stanford University for our very first regional run of the season...YEAH!!! We had to switch some things around, but it all worked out. This season I am in charge of getting volunteers out at our water stops. I was a little nervous going into this run because I wasn't sure we would have enough people. BUT we did!! Most of the participants ran further than they had ever run before and it was so inspirational to see the smiles on each of their faces when they finished.

The season is starting off GREAT!!! Next week is an on your own week for TNT, but not for me!! Disney Half Marathon training continues....my miles are increasing and I need to get back on track now that my move is complete!

To help me fight blood cancer check out my website:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/honolulu09/dzlatunich

Hi Everyone....

Phew, what a week....and it's only Wednesday!!!  :o)

This has been a slow week for running due to my move.  However, Thursday night is our first track workout and then our first team run is Saturday at Stanford.  So, I am super excited!!!!  

It will feel good to run around the track...for more reasons than one.  It will be great to release some pent up energy (aka frustrations).  My move has been...well, less than smooth, so to run will feel AWESOME.  Also and most important, we have a new set of participants, which means I get to meet new people who are just starting out with TNT and help support their goals.  Supporting them always makes me feel good.  

The rest of my week is jam packed, but I can't wait to put on my running shoes and get out there!!!

To help me fight blood cancer check out my website:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/honolulu09/dzlatunich

Season 5 - TNT has Kicked off!!!

I have FANtastic news! I am at it again…this time I am going to run three half marathons and my fourth full marathon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America. It’s true! I will be part of the Disney Half Marathon, San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon, San Francisco Nike Women’s Half Marathon in October, and the California International Marathon in Sacramento this December. None of these events will be easy. I have been fortunate with my health, my life and career and appreciate this chance to give something back. This will be my fifth season with Team in Training. I am a Training Captain and support the whole team. We all have coaches, a training program, and over 160 team members with a common goal and plenty of support. I’ve committed to the training program put together by the coaches and staff at Team in Training. I show up for the training, I run, I sweat, I hurt, I whimper, I take naps, I eat things called Shot Blocks and Sport Beans three times a week until it all begins Sunday, September 6, 2009. Then I run without stopping (much) for 13.1 miles…and then run again for 13.1 miles…and again for 13.1 more miles.....and then double that with 26.2 miles. I cross the finish line, and hooray!!! I did it!!


But that’s not all...The most inspirational part of this program is sponsoring a patient as your honoree. My honoree this season is Antoinette…here is her story:


“I had just turned 25 when I found a large lump above my left collarbone – it was cancer. I had Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma and my life came to a screeching halt. I never knew anyone my age with cancer and I was healthy! In fact, I had just run 5 miles the morning I felt it. In the midst of how unfair I felt the situation was, I knew it was happening to me for a reason and that I would be forever changed, but I would get through it. Looking back, I never once accepted defeat.

I quickly engaged the help of friends, family and resources from various organizations to equip me for battle. I found Fertile Hope, an organization that has a financial assistance program to help young adult cancer patients preserve their fertility, and decided to freeze oocytes (eggs) before starting chemo. My dreams of becoming a mother were saved! Then, through the help of the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society, I found everything I needed to know about my disease and an outlet for all my emotions. The local San Francisco chapter asked me to speak about my diagnosis and my fighting power to get through it. I loved every chance they gave me to speak in front of hundreds of people and inspire them to be strong in their own battles!
Now three years later I am proud to announce that my hair is back to its original length, I have a career with Fertile Hope, I’m married to prince charming and we hope to be parents in the near future. I still love sharing my story with anyone who will listen…”


My commitment to Antoinette and others like her is to raise at least $4000 to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a non-profit health agency, dedicated to curing leukemia. To join me, please complete your donation at

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/honolulu09/dzlatunich by 10/1/09.


Of course, I’ll gladly accept donations after this date; however, the sooner I meet my fundraising goal, the better I can focus my energy on preparing for these events.

Your gift is 100% tax-deductible. 75% of the $4000 goal will go towards patient services and research for finding a cure; however, 100% of the amount over my goal will go towards patient services and research. Whatever amount you can give will help – it all adds up in the end.

I really appreciate your support!

Training for a race is a challenge. But my challenge is nothing compared to the ones that Antoinette and others have to overcome on a daily basis fighting these diseases. As I run each mile I will be thinking of her and others who are coping with a life-threatening illness.


Thank you for your support,

Dena Zlatunich