TNT + GFORCE = LOVE

I wish I could put into words how I feel about Sunday's event but for the first time in a long time I'm struggling to get the words on the page. I've included a video that I think will get it across much better than I can express.

As most of you know Sunday's event - Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon - was not my first TNT event nor my first half marathon. Signing up for spring season was sparked by 3 things - 1) Jessica, who I met in Sept '09 on winter team & became fast friends with, was named the Spring run coach and 2) Grayson...my daughter's kinder friend was diagnosed with leukemia last fall and I wanted to train and fundraise in his honor and 3) Amy, a fellow teacher and close friend whose daughter is also in kinder with Abi and Gray wanted to join TNT and complete her first half marathon!

Any TNT event I do is meaningful because it is preceded by five months of training with a TEAM of incredible individuals...people who you get to know and share smiles, laughs and even tears with. Grayson was named a TEAM honored hero and so was Noah. Shortly after meeting Kalee, Gray's mom, she told me that her and her husband (Lance) along with some of their friends were going to train and run the half and call themselves GForce / Team Grayson - Stronger than Cancer. Kalee was able to come out several times and train with the team so there was a huge connection between GForce and TNT. I am blessed to now call Kalee my friend and knowing her will forever have an impact on my life. As you can see in the photo above several of us put GForce logos on our TNT purple jerseys for race day : )

Watch the video here!

The link above should take you to youtube...the one below is embedded but doesn't work for everyone.

I can't forget to mention that with all your support & donations I raised $925.24 for this event, but Will and I are still working on our fundraising for summer TEAM. We have $800 more to go with two months of training left...so it doesn't stop for us! We are here with new seasons and new events until we find a CURE! Every dollar donated helps fund crucial research for better treatments and ensures better patient services.

In closing, I want to express my deepest sympathies once again to the Reding and Kiser family. Noah, our team honored hero, lost his battle on Friday, March 16...nine days before our event. Pam, his aunt, is a friend and teammate. She with her two daughters (Ryann & Kendall) ran the event in Noah's memory and his parents came to support them. The entire North Texas Team was given purple bracelets at the Inspiration dinner to wear during the event to honor Noah, his family and his battle.

I am once again proud to be a part of the BEST. TEAM. EVER which now includes Team Grayson & Team Noah!

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Princesses & Sunday's Event

Have you been wondering about an update on our new honored hero Nory? Well I am pleased to say that her Mom started a blog...it is called Princesses Get Cancer Too.

I know it seems strange that I would be excited that Jennifer (her mom) started a blog due to her diagnosis but when these children are diagnosed and we get to know them they become part of us (and our team) and I like to stay as up-to-date as I can.

When I have a not-so-good training day or just don't feel like getting out of bed at 4:30am to go spin or run...I think about what these children have to endure during their 3+ years of treatment. All the pokes, hospital stays, upset tummies and so much more...and all they want to do is go to school or be outside with their friends. Furthermore, I think about the sleepless nights their parents (our friends) have wondering what tomorrow will bring and praying that their child regains a life full of good health and happiness.

But what makes me smile most are photos like the one of Nory above...photos of our honored heroes being just like any other child...smiling, giggling and having a good time at home!

Sunday brings our spring TNT season event...Dallas Rock & Roll HALF. Race week always brings some new ache or pain and mine right now is my right calf so we shall see how it feels this weekend. But what I know is that I will finish the event with a smile on my face and joy in my heart...calf pain or not...because it is for Team in Training.

There will be a sea of purple jerseys from around Texas and surrounding states who have all fundraised for LLS/TNT. There will also be a group of GFORCE runners supporting Grayson and his family...Kalee & Lance (Grayson's parents) will be among those running in his honor and if all goes well Grayson will be at the finish line cheering them in! Sunday isn't even here and I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. These events mean so much to the participants and our honored heroes and their families.

I can't wait to see all my teammates and GForce runners cross the finish line! GO TEAM!

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In Memory of Noah

Some moments in life have few words...it is with a very heavy heart that I write our team honored hero, Noah Kiser, was given angel wings on Friday, March 16, at the age of 11. He is the nephew of friend and teammate, Pam Reding.

Please pray for the Kiser and Reding family. May God carry them through this difficult time and provide strength and comfort.

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Are you Up-to-Date?

Time for an update on training and most important our honored heroes.

Dallas Rock & Roll Half marathon is only 16 days away and I'm ready. Since I'm also signed up for the triathlon I haven't gotten to train as much with the Spring team but I have been able to run several times with Kalee (Grayson's Mom) and that was a treat for me! As for Captex Tri Training...that is in full swing...overnight my training went from 3 days a week to 5 days and some days are twice a day workouts. Basically Will and I are training for each sport twice a week - so 2 days of swimming, 2 days of cycling and 2 days of running. For me, personally, that means several mornings start at 4:30am and I'm off to the gym for a 5:00am spin class or run on the treadmill. My Mom watches the kids one night during the week so we can go swim and then on the weekend we take the kids with us and all swim. This is on top of Beau's baseball practice each Tuesday and Abi's dance each Thursday. It is safe to say that life is busy...very busy. But it is a GOOD busy and one that I am thankful for each and every day. We are blessed with a two healthy children, a strong marriage, good jobs and very supportive family and friends. I'd say Life is Good (and it is) but I'm also reminded each day of the struggles that some of our dear friends deal with on a daily basis and that is their children battling cancer.

Grayson - Grayson has been battling the treatments fairly well. He is one brave little guy and his smiles light up a room. Currently, his counts dropped very low and he was admitted this week to receive some IV antibiotics and pain medications. The treatments have been stronger and they have caused some sores throughout his intestinal tract and lining and the doctors need to get them under control. Kalee wrote a touching blog post last Friday and I urge each of you to read it. It really puts life into perspective.

Georgia - Georgia is "marching" forward in March. March 5 marked two months until her big party -- yes her END OF TREATMENT party! Courtney, her mom, said the school year is flying by and Georgia is doing awesome. An interesting note about Georgia is that two years ago she met Will Ferrell (the actor) and she gave him one of her orange bracelets which he was seen wearing several times afterwards. He was interviewed on Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on March 7 and he was STILL wearing the bracelet. Check out the video on Georgia's blog.

Noah - Noah is the 11 year old I posted about last. Pam, his aunt, is a teammate and friend. She has been involved with TNT for several years but it really hit home last June when Noah was diagnosed with leukemia. I continue to ask for prayers for Noah and his family. This week the doctors told Noah's parents that they didn't think Noah's infection would clear up. He has been sedated and on a breathing tube for the past week. They have one last experimental drug to try for the respiratory failure. Please pray for Noah and his family at this very difficult time.

Nory - I posted about Nory in February. She was released from the hospital on March 3 and able to go home. They ask for prayers as they get into their "new normal" with all the medications as they prepare for the bone marrow transplant later this year.

As always THANK YOU for your continued support. Will and I are grateful and blessed for the life we have each day. We will continue to train and raise money for much needed research to improve cancer treatments and hopefully one day find a cure. We have raised 65% of our goal. If you haven't donated yet please consider donating in honor of one of these children above. Your donation not only gives Will and I a boost in our training and fundraising but it helps lives all over battling cancer.

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