A Half Dozen + 1 Request

So Sunday, June 12 marked my 6th half marathon - Wounded Warrior in Las Colinas, Texas. This was the 2nd annual Wounded Warrior half marathon and it was started to honor men and women of the military and help raise money for the Semper Fi Fund, which provides assistance to Marines & Sailors injured in post 9-11 combat, and ReserveAid, which gives financial support to Reserve Service Members from all branches of the military. It is an incredible cause and after running Marine Corp Marathon last October I would run almost any event benefiting the Semper Fi Fund.

Needless to say it was HOT. I ran the event with several friends - Meg, Serene, Jessica, myself, Robin and Tammy (in order). We didn't all stay together but it is nice to know you have some buddies out there feeling what you are feeling...hot, tired and ready to see that finish line. The course is relatively flat and fast...but again it was HOT and its Texas in the summer! It wasn't my best time but it wasn't my worst so I'm proud of that. Around mile 9-ish if I recall correctly I found myself really "digging deep" because the sun was beating down and at that point there wasn't any shade. I always wear my orange Georgia bracelet on long training runs or race days...and as I circled it on my wrist several times it gave me that extra boost I needed for that final 3 miles. I crossed the finish line with a big smile, thanked the ROTC gentleman who handed me my shiny new medal and said a little prayer that I made it without needing a medic!

On a more serious note...my prayers honestly went out to the men & women who serve our country and give us the very freedom who allow us to be able to run freely & safely in this country. Secondly, they go out to my honored heros...like Georgia who are strong & courageous in their battle with cancer. Georgia continues to do well and for that I am so very thankful. However, I (and Allie) have another honored hero, Morgan, who could really use your prayers...so this is where my request comes in. Morgan, who just accepted her high school diploma less than a month ago, has been battling leukemia since December of 2009. Morgan is from Frisco and her and Allie became fast friends. Allie volunteers for many of Morgan's fundraising events and tries to see her whenever she in in Frisco visiting. Today Morgan was admitted into the hospital and directly into ICU. Allie doesn't know much more than that but Morgan's mom posted on FB and asked for prayers so if you can add her to your prayer list we would greatly appreciate it.

Here's to another half dozen...or more...until we find a cure!



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Can we Outrun Cancer?

Shortly after I started running in July of 2009 and came back to TNT to tackle marathon training I subscribed to Runner's World magazine. I love it and I look forward to it coming every month in the mail. I read it cover to cover. Well this month I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it to find an entire article dedicated to "outrunning cancer" and it talks about TEAM IN TRAINING!

The article showcases what a difference individuals can make by running for the cause and shares inspiring stories highlighting cancer survivors!

In the article TNT is mentioned frequently! In fact it points out TNT has raised more than 1 billion dollars since 1988. What's most exciting is the mention of our funding of research that led to the development of the breakthrough cancer drug Gleevec. First approved to treat patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, it's now being tested for patients with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer as well as nerve, brain and small cell lung cancers. And Gleevec is also being tested on melanoma and other diseases. Will and I have trained beside teammates who currently take Gleevec...they're alive...running and cycling today because of this drug.

There is even a feature on Dr. Brian Druker...the doctor who developed Gleevec with funding in part by TNT! Here's what he had to say about TNT:

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society recognized the opportunity with Gleevec," Dr. Drucker says. "They were willing to take a chance on our work. Unfortunately, researchers today are basically in the same position as we were a decade ago. If anything, it's even more difficult for novel research to gain federal funding. We're more reliant than ever on private non-profits like LLS."

So can we OUTRUN CANCER? I honestly don't know. Will says I have an unhealthy fear of cancer...and I do. But I'm willing to give it my best try...so my children nor myself ever have to battle this disease or lose a loved one to it. So I'm willing to keep training and keep fundraising if it helps save my life, my child's, a loved one or even a perfect stranger!

I'm proud to WEAR the color PURPLE to most events. I'll be wearing it this Sunday, June 12 as I run the Wounded Warrior Half marathon with my TNT friends. And I'm proud to be a part of THE TEAM! The TEAM that will one day bring down the ugly monster we call cancer...one mile at a time!

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