The Bacons are Back...Savannah Here we Come!

Huge news for 2017...Allie, my niece and first HONORED HERO, is getting married on November 25! As many of you know we celebrate big occasions in our family with Team in Training events in honor of her survivorship from leukemia.  And after three years of being out of running, I needed a push to get back in the saddle and this was it.

TEAM is more than yourself...and that’s why I’m asking you to donate to my TNT fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. Cancer patients need these cures TODAY...which means LLS needs your support today.  

Since its been three years since I've run my last marathon I will be tackling the HALF MARATHON (13.1 miles) in Savannah, GA on November 4...just a few weeks before the wedding.  I'm nervous, but I'm being coached by my first TNT marathon coaches David & Meg Burdette -- so I know they will help get me through this -- just like they have so many other times. And no matter if I walk or run...every single step and mile is for Allie and all my other honored heroes and honored angels I've met along the way.  I've never forgotten their battles and I never will.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help get us all closer to a world without blood cancers.  EVERY DOLLAR HELPS....no amount is too small. In the comments I also encourage you to write anyone you know that has been touched by a blood cancer or any cancer.  

Your donation will help fund treatments that SAVE LIVES every day; like immunotherapies that use a person’s own immune system to kill cancer. You may not know it, but every single donation helps save a life with breakthrough therapies such as these. The video in that link is absolutely amazing!

Dianna's Team in Training Page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntx/rnrsav17/DBacon

With Love & Gratitude,

Dianna Bacon

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IM Austin 70.3...2 of 3 check!

For those that follow me on FB you probably saw that Will finished his first official Ironman Event...Ironman Austin 70.3 this past weekend.  You might have also saw my Day 8 Thankful post which stated this: "Today I am thankful that God has blessed me with the best teammate and partner for life.  We have built a marriage and family together that allows ALL of us to accomplish not only our goals as a family but as individuals...and today Will accomplished a remarkable goal."

He completed a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run -- YES I mean in the same day without stopping for those that might not be familiar with triathlon events.  As I said this was his first official Ironman event and it was nothing less than exciting.  Our dear friends, Robin & Ken, joined us to help support Will but also be there for since my surgery was just three weeks ago.  Ken, Robin and I were able to watch the pro athletes come into the finish line.  The overall male winner came in at 3:48:49 and that isn't the time of day that means he finished 70.3 miles in 3 hours and 48 minutes and 49 seconds.  It was a pretty cool finish to watch.  You might be wondering why we were at the finish line and not watching Will...but he was zooming along on the bike course which we weren't able to get too.

This is triathlon event 2 of 3 in the grand scheme of training.  The next event for Will is BIG...it is Ironman Cozumel which is a full ironman distance - 2.4 mile swim, 110 mile bike and 26.2 mile run. Will will be racing with a friend, Nate, who also works for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program.  Nate is training and fundraising in memory of his Mom and Aunt Peggy and I encourage you to visit his page to read more about him and his journey.  He has an incredible story that inspires me every time I read it!

Will isn't fundraising for these events like Nate but his inspiration is never far from him...you can see in the photo above on his left wrist are two bracelets - his orange Keeping Georgia on Your Mind bracelet in honor or Georgia and his green GFORCE bracelet in honor of Grayson.  Georgia just celebrated 18.5 months OFF treatment. Grayson is in still in the maintenance phase and his treatment plan will end in February 2015.  

In the end it was a full day filled with so many emotions.  I couldn't have been more proud to see him running into the finishing chute...smiling!  And as much as I love that photo (which I posted on FB) I had to post this one because he's gotta show off that medal - he earned it!  Continue to wish him luck...32 days to Cozumel.

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Kerrville 1 of 3...check!

This post is a little late...who am I kidding...a month late!  But I have a good excuse...my ACDF surgery was done on October 7 and I'm recovering...slowly, but I'm thankful its over and I'm even more thankful for the support of my family and friends!

But more important is congratulating Will and the entire Team in Training FALL Triathlon season as they completed the Kerrville Quarter & Half Distance event on September 29. If you recall I was on this team until I learned about I would require surgery...so I lived in via Will : )

The weekend was quick but fun...as always we had a great time supporting our TNT athletes while also honoring those that have fought blood cancer.  This team had a rather large group of individuals called Bennett's Buddies - who trained in honor of a 3 year old little boy named Bennett. I had met Bennett's parents, Kirsa and Keith last year but was able to meet the rest of their team in Kerrville and we all had a good time. Bennett was diagnosed with high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in April of 2011 when he was 13 months old.   He is now two years into a three and a half year chemotherapy treatment that is extremely hard on his little body.  In addition to chemotherapy, he has received 16 blood transfusions, as well as numerous spinal taps and bone marrow tests.  Through it all, he has remained a courageous, strong, and resilient little boy, who has learned to walk and talk, all while fighting cancer.   Bennett's parents, who both completed the Quarter Distance, started participating in TNT events only 4 months after his diagnosis, and plan to continue their dedication to helping find a cure!  Below is a photo of most of the team below...the orange shirts are Bennett's Buddies. Bennett's Buddies raised over $70,000 as a team.

Bennett, Honored Hero

Fall Triathlon Team - Kerrville 2013

Will had a great race...he felt good and finished strong.  This was a training event helping him prepare for Austin Ironman 70.3 this coming weekend and ultimately Ironman Cozumel 140.6 in December.  I can't even begin to tell you the hours he has put in swimming, cycling and running over the past several months.  It is grueling and inspiring all rolled into one! The hours of training has definitely been a challenge for Will as a father and husband.  Balancing his time has been difficult and it doesn't come without some unwanted side effects like missing one of the kid's games or simply feeling like he is missing out on what the three of us are doing on a Sunday morning (even if that's just hanging in our PJs) but this is what we do...we train to keep our bodies and our minds strong...and we fundraise to find a cure for cancer....AND our kids know that!  And along that note... our daughter entered the Believe. Dream. Inspire. Reflections art contest at school...she is pretty artistic.  I knew she would come up with something beautiful. Little did I know it would be so simple yet powerful...this is what she decided to enter.  It isn't fancy and it might not come close to winning...but we are beyond proud (and blessed) that our actions and words are flowing into her heart. 

I've got one specific person to congratulate and that is our dear friend, Robert.  Robert and I actually completed Tahoe Century together in 2000 (that was my first TNT event).  Robert was also on the Captex Triathlon team in May of last year where Robert and I both earned our Triple Crowns.  Kerrville earned Robert his 2nd Triple Crown with Team in Training...that means he has fundraised and completed two full marathons, two century rides and two triathlon events. Way to go Robert!

Will & Robert at the start of the race.

This is my FAVORITE photo of the entire weekend...Will coming into the finish line! I can't wait to snap this same photo in Austin and Cozumel...get ready because here come the Bacons!

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One Love for 80

"On planet Earth, we only have one real purpose: To learn how to love. And then one day when our spirit is ready, our future selves are in heaven, and all we do is fly and love. God told me that."
-- Aidan Vance Peterson
(these words were spoken by Aidan to his mother & she shared them with us at his service)

Today I attended the memorial service for Aidan Vance Peterson also known as 80.  A valiant cancer warrior who was granted his angel wings last week on August 11.  Aidan was 6 years old...just 10 days shy of his 7th birthday.  I did not personally know Aidan but he is a local Team in Training honored hero and we have a mutual friend, Andy, who became close with the family.  I've followed Aidan's journey for the past 9 months.  He has a FB page which is called One Love for 80.

A very brief history...Aidan's journey with cancer started at 18 months old when he was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia). He endured 3 years of treatment and was declared in remission; however, in January of this year he developed AML (acute myeloid leukemia). AML is a much more aggressive leukemia and requires a bone marrow transplant.  Aidan with the help of his family became a huge supporter of bone marrow donation while they were trying to find a match for him.  I've posted several times before about the importance of becoming a donor and if you haven't please consider becoming a donor. You can visit Be the Match or Delete Blood Cancer.  Both organizations feed into the same donor database but Delete Blood Cancer was a big supporter of Aidan during his search.

After numerous drives...Aidan's donor was found and he received his transplant on June 13.  The transplant was a success and the engraftment was 100%; however, he developed a bad lung infection.  I must note that because of Aidan, 6 other matches were made, and two of them have gone to collection (actual transplants). That is Aidan helping save other lives while he was fighting for his own...amazing!

I took away so much today from the memorial service.  Aidan's mother spoke about Aidan and shared some heartwarming stories.  One that touched me was that Aidan never considered himself sick - "he was well" - it was his cells that were sick...and in the end it wasn't Aidan that was sick - it was very sick lungs.

I don't know how to put into words why following Aidan's journey has touched my life so much.  I've been a part of Team in Training since 2000 and more heavily involved since 2009 and especially this past year.  I serve as Chair of the Mission Task Force for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society so I work directly with trying to connect our honored heroes to our mission and raising awareness anyway we can.  I say that because I hear stories of triumph and defeat by all forms of blood cancer regularly...but Aidan's journey personally touched me. Maybe because he is the exact age of my daughter and I have son just a year younger as well.

Aidan and his mom on Mother's Day 2013

But mostly I think it was because his mother choose to share her only son with us...she shared the good and the bad.  She shared what it was like to be the mother of a child fighting for his life and she did it with faith and grace like no one I've known.  She has put so much into perspective for me in the past couple months and has made me want to be the best mom I can be.  On Mother's Day she posted and at the end she addressed moms of angel children, moms of sick kids and moms of healthy kids...I'm blessed to fall into the last category and I take to heart what advice she gave, "try not to sweat the small stuff. And don't kick yourself too hard when you do. We're all human. We're all moms. Today is a day to celebrate with gratitude the blessings that are our children."   I want to do my best to live that advice EVERY DAY.  Thank you Candice from the bottom of my heart for sharing Aidan and teaching me more about love and faith.


To all my friends that prayed for Aidan and his family and shared his story or released a virtual orange balloon today...it meant so much to his family especially to see complete strangers painting their FB wall with an orange balloon or even going out to purchase one and release themselves.  I also wanted to share the link to CBS News - they were at the service.  And also a story by WFAA.

Balloon Release at 80's memorial service

If for any reason you'd like to make some small donation in Aidan's memory, I'd like to share Andy's Team in Training fundraising page.  He has ran several events in Aidan's memory and will be running the Rock & Roll New Orleans Marathon in his memory this coming February.

Andy & Aidan in February 2013

Last, I pray that God comforts Aidan's family in the days, weeks and months to come.  I pray that his mom receives the signs every so often that she told Aidan to send her from heaven. And I pray that we FIND A CURE so no child or family endures the heartache that cancer brings.



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Big News, Bigger Event!

I know, I know...Will just finished fundraising for his half marathon and we are asking again for a donation...but here's why...we still don't have a cure! So until we do Will and I are going to keep doing events and keep fundraising! Plus it is the 25th anniversary of TEAM IN TRAINING!

However, this event is BIG...go big or go home, right?  

We are training for a HALF DISTANCE TRIATHLON. Ever heard of an Ironman event? Well this is a half ironman but not an ironman event (by name)...but it is the same distance. We will be swimming 1.2-miles, cycling 56-miles, and finishing it off with a half marathon (13.1-mile run) on September 29 at the Kerrville Triathlon.

Now doesn't that deserve a donation...that's a total of 70.3 miles!

As always we train and fundraise in honor of those who have fought the battle with cancer.

HONORED HERO SURVIVORS:

Allie - Allie is my niece and just turned 19. She is an 'ALL' survivor and will be celebrating 19 years of remission this December. She is in her first year of college and was named the Overall Honored Hero for North Texas.

Georgia - Georgia celebrated her 1-year off treatment this April 29. She is a true warrior who fought against 'ALL' and won. We have been blessed to know her and her family and have followed along on her journey.

Grayson - Grayson is completing kindergarden year this June after it being interrupted with his diagnosis in fall of 2011 with 'ALL'. He is currently in the maintainence phase of treatment and has two more years. His mom (Kalee) and are train together often.

Nory - Nory was diagnosed with 'CML' in February 2012 at the age of 2. I met her mom shortly after. Nory is currently taking medication to help with CML but she will require a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately her brother is a match.

James - "ALL" survivor...finished chemo summer 2011! I met James' parents in winter season '09. They were BOTH training for White Rock. James' story hit home to me on one of the coldest training days of that season. His parents were also on the winter '10 season and occassionally brought James and his twin brothers to train...it was awesome to have them on the course with us...always an inspiration!

Philip - "ALL" survivor...finished chemo summer 2011. I met Suzanne...Philip's mom on the winter '10 team. When I heard Philip's mission moment on September 18, 2010, my heart hurt but he's a one tough and strong boy. I am continuing amazed by him and his family.

Chad H. - Chad is a lymphoma survivor and interestingly enough the only adult on this page. Chad and his wife Christina have become good friends over the past year and half. Both are TNT alums and I ran my last event side-by-side with Chad who PRed that day -- nothing is more motivating then running next to a survivor!

HONORED HERO ANGELS:

In memory of...Griffin, Mavrick and Noah. All three boys who left this world way too young and too early. Each of their families regularly participate in TNT events.

Your donation is vital to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. We are improving the quality of our lives by participating in these events as well as showing our own children what it means to give and help others. But more important with YOUR SUPPORT we can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families! If you want to see what those funds do and how they save lives...watch this 3 minute video....you will be amazed!

Please make a donation by clicking here or the 70.3 image on right-side of page...in support of my efforts with Team In Training...the goal is $2500. Every dollar helps pave the way to a cure!

With love and gratitude for your continued support throughout the years!

-Dianna & Will

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Help Cover Noah's Walls

Our Team in Training Spring Run/Walk 11 year-old Honored Hero Noah Kiser (nephew of Pam who is on the team too, pictured above) needs our help! Noah was diagnosed with ALL June 2011 and has been in and out of the hospital since due to both regular treatment and complications. He is back in the hospital with a serious infection in his lungs and sinuses. A biopsy has been done to determine the nature of the infection but the family will not get results for a few days. Noah is sleeping most of the day but when he wakes he is, of course, confused and unhappy.

Pam would like his walls to be covered with “Get Well” and “Thinking of you” cards to help ease some of this pain when he wakes and let him know that he has an entire TEAM by his side.

It's super easy to send a card. Just click on the link below. Noah is in room 237. The hospital will print the cards and deliver them to Noah's room! You can read more about Noah on his caringbridge site.

NOTE: The link to send a card was removed. They were overwhelmed (a good thing)!

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A Perfect Weekend

This weekend was packed full of GOOD things:

1) First, Grayson, my honored hero was home from the hospital after spending 36 out of 45 days there. Kalee (his mom) said they got to spend a lazy weekend all together which brought lots of smiles and laughter.

Wanna know what a HERO looks like? Check him out below before being released from the hospital. The image of him taking his own medicine bought back a flood of memories of Allie towards the end of her treatment when she was old enough to hold the syringe herself. Children are resilient when it comes to battling cancer. Not to mean they don't have bad days...but they adapt quickly to a "new normal".

2) Allie, my 17 year old niece, completed the 2011 Susan G Komen Dallas 3 day walk with her teacher...60 miles in 3 days! We cheered for her on Saturday and then went to the closing ceremony Sunday. It is a huge event...which raised $7 million.

She walked in honor of my Mom who celebrated 20 years of being a breast cancer survivor on June 25. She also walked in honor of two other women who are friends of their family & her teacher's Aunt. Doesn't she look awesome after walking 60 miles? I am so proud of her! Stay tuned because Allie will be telling about her 3 day journey on the blog soon!

3. Last, I ran DRC Half marathon on Sunday morning. It was new event for me and one I probably wasn't fully prepared for. Chicago full was about 4 weeks ago and my training has been sporadic since, but I wanted to run it anyway. Jessica ran it as well along with David & Meg. Jessica and I stayed together for the duration of the race. She was coming off a 32 mile week already. Her increased miles coupled with my decreased miles made for an interesting race to say the least. The course was hilly...for some reason I thought it was going to be flat. At about mile 10 I just wanted to be done and when that happens I think about my honored heros and I also thought about Allie walking the final 15 miles of her journey with blistered feet...so I pushed on the best I could. I'm actually pretty proud of my finishing time (2:13:30) because it was just shy of my PR at Dallas RnR this past March (2:12:46). Granted I know in running 44 seconds can mean a lot but to me...I ran 44 seconds shy of my PR on a course that (to me) was much harder.

One last note, most of you know that Georgia comes along on all my long runs & races in the form of her orange "Keepin Georgia on your Mind" bracelet. Well I wanted to bring Grayson along too...I've ordered some green (his fav color) Team Grayson bracelets but they hadn't arrived, so I went with a green rubberband instead. Grayson ran his first 13.1 miles! That coupled with him home with his family made for a perfect weekend!

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