The Bacons Want YOU!

It has been over four months since I've last trained...while at times it has been nice not to wake up at 4:45 am to hit the pavement or spin class...I've also missed my workouts terribly. The bad news is I still have another 2-3 months off...but the good news is when I'm ready to come back Will (my husband) will be the coach of the Spring North Cities Run/Walk Marathon team - so how exciting is that?! 

Speaking of Will...his training has been jammed back...two-a-day workouts consisting of running, cycling, swimming and strength training.  This weekend he will be with the North Texas Triathlon team participating in the Kerrville quarter and half distance triathlons.  Come late October he will be completing his first official Ironman event - the Longhorn Ironman 70.3 in Austin which will lead him right up to Ironman Cozumel 140.6 in December...that's a full IM event (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run).  It's a daunting task to train & complete that type of endurance event working full time and having two young children with endless activities on the weekends...at times it is hard to keep a good work/life balance but Will and I believe that all things fall into place as they should and with my time off this was the perfect time for him to achieve his Ironman goal. 

So back to what the original post was about...WE WANT YOU to join us for the Spring Run/Walk TEAM! Many of you have asked how to get involved with Team in Training or how to start running or train for a half marathon, well NOW IS THE TIME!  Team in Training is celebrating its 25th anniversary and in that 25 years over 570,000 participants have crossed the finish line helping LLS invest more than $875 million in blood cancer research. But the fight isn't over till we have a cure...and I do believe one day we will.

It's natural for all of us to only pay attention to the cancer that's impacted us or a family member and with October days away every store will be covered in pink...but I ask what about a cancer that primarily targets our children?  What about pediatric cancers as a whole who receive so little funding?  The fact is; we're all after the same thing: a CURE! Since none of us knows where the next breakthrough will come from or what society/organization will find it or how it can affect the cancer we care about...I'm putting my funds and my heart into the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and I'm asking you to do the same!  The scientists LLS funds are proving that a cure can be found...and you can see that in this video.

THE FACTS:  

• Collectively, the blood cancers — leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma — account for 9.5 percent of all cancers deaths, making them the second most common cause of cancer death, behind only lung cancer. Collectively, they also account for 9 percent of all new diagnoses in the U.S., making them the fourth most commonly occurring cancers behind lung, prostate and breast cancer.
  
• More than a million adults in the U.S. are living with a blood cancer. The incidence of lymphoma has more than doubled since the 1970s. Scientists don't know why.
  
• In children, leukemia and lymphoma account for nearly half of all childhood cancers. 

The Spring season is training for 2 HALF MARATHONS (season begins November 16):

1. Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Sunday, March 23 (fundraising $1700)

2. Nike DC Half Marathon - late April official date not released yet (fundraising $2900)

What does your fundraising cover...first and foremost you will be guided through a comprehensive 4-6 month training program that will help you reach that finish line - walking, running or a combination of both. You will receive a training jersey and a race day jersey as well as your entry into the event.  The DC event also includes your hotel stay while in DC (airfare is not included). Throughout your experience you will gain friendships and confidence and more important you will know that you have a made a difference in the lives of those affected by blood cancers or any cancer for that matter because drugs funded by LLS are now used to treatment many other types of cancer and diseases. 

You are invited to come to an information meeting and/or try out a training.  The info meetings are spread around the metroplex so you can attend one up North or closer to your work or you can simply give us a call or email and we'd be happy to explain more.  

We would be STOKED to have you on the TEAM!  I've said it before...you will not regret the decision to be a part of Team in Training and help support & fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.   





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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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A Bump in the Road

UPDATE 8/1/13: Surgery was reschedule to the first week of October.  Thank you to those that have emailed and text to see if I was ok...much love!

This post is definitely more personal than most...usually I focus on updates about honored heroes, training or events but this one just needed a little more explanation : )

I started running in July '09 after I received a Team in Training informational flyer in the mail. I was already a TNT alum but it had been several years since my last event or Will's for that matter -- and those were cycling events NOT running.  But I wanted to be a runner and I wanted to lose those dreaded 10lbs after having two babies.

The flyer offered Dallas White Rock Marathon Relay - basically get a team of 5 people together and each one runs a 4-6 mile leg and of course fundraise for LLS/TNT.  Fundraising has always been easy for me...but running not so much.  I had never run 1 mile without walking....but I thought (and hoped) I could surely train & run 5 miles.  Will jumped on board...he is the first to know that anything that gets me active & moving can only be a plus.  We also asked Allie to join the team as the event was 2 days before her 15th year in remission and what better way to celebrate than crossing a finish line together!  Finding two others proved difficult so as the season started in August - it was the 3 of us which meant I wasn't running 4-6 miles I would be running 10 miles.  That season was remarkable...truly the best TNT season I have ever been a part of.  Granted they are all awesome but that Winter '09 season was unforgettable! I met some of my dearest friends that season who remain by my side through all of life's ups and downs.

I'll bear you the details of the entire 4+ months of training or the actual event day...but that season & event is what sparked this blog...AND we haven't stopped training & fundraising since that Winter '09 season.  

Most recently I began training for a  half distance triathlon (70.3 miles of swimming, cycling and running). It is my BIG goal.  But last week there was a bump in the road.

I'm having to stop training and delay this TNT season.  The people who know me best know I've always had migraines since I was a teenager, but they have gotten worse in the past year. To the point that I was beginning to miss work.  Recently I went to get a second opinion from a new neurologist.  He sent me for two MRIs, EEG and a sleep study.  I received results last Tuesday that I have a 6mm disc herniation on C5/C6 and it is compressing my spinal cord and nerve. I was immediately sent to a neuro surgeon two days later for a consultation.

I honestly thought they would say do some PT and you are good to go...but the surgeon explained there are no options to remove it except surgery because of the compression.  PT or injections would only help relieve pain.  I could wait to have surgery until the pain worsens but surgery would be required at some point. Here was the kicker for me...it was recommended that I stop or limit my training.  The concern is that since its already compressing the cord if I was to get into an accident on my bike, fall running etc there could be permanent damage and even paralysis.  This is what I do...I train to help fight cancer...it is part of me and I honestly can't imagine my life without TNT.  

Will and I think the best option is surgery, so it is scheduled for early August after we go on our (already) scheduled family vacation. I definitely want to enjoy part of my summer with my kids and limit how they are going to be affected. 

Recovery is 12 weeks and hopefully after that I will be cleared to train again.  My account isn't a drop...but a transfer.  So as soon as I get clearance the majority of my funds that have been donated thus far will come back...hopefully Spring '13.  

I'll be starting from scratch...which is what makes me recall that Winter '09 season. But I know that my running partners will be there next to me -- I recently shared this below so they know who they are : )

I can't forget to mention that Will is still going to train for the Kerrville half distance.  He is actually the Team Captain and I can assist behind the scene (he loves that...ha!).  Captains and mentors have an option to not fundraise...he took that option as he just finished fundraising for his Wounded Warrior event which is this Sunday.  He has supported me through 5 marathons...always on the course to support me, so it is my time to do the same for him!  I can't wait to see him cross the finish line Sunday to complete his Triple Crown...and better yet in September after 70.3 miles!

GO TEAM!

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