Over a 1/2 Marathon today!!

No kidding, folks! We ran OVER a half-marathon today...not in a race, but with our TNT running team. Our running course was up the gorgeous paths of Torrey Pines, Del Mar, Cardiff (up highway 101)...it just kept going and going and going (you get the picture). :) Do I hurt tonight? Yup. But, I am so proud of myself to have done this today. Granted, after my great vacation I was really toast out there today, BUT I did finish and that what counts!! Considering I was only declared "out of the woods" with my cancer six months ago and I was still a tad jet-lagged, I think this is great. :) I owe many thanks to my running buddies, Jen & Lisa for keeping me going! Oh..and thanks to Mentor Gary for the Formula One chat and Captain Gary for dragging us in his dust. lol. And, thanks to Mentor Mike for showing up to cheer the "B" team on as we hit the final mile. Ya'll ROCK! & Cures ROCK!

G'day, mates!

I apologize for not updating my blog much recently, but I have been B-U-S-Y!!! So, I'm taking 2 mins on my lunch break to add a quick note. Work was insane, and then we went on vacation to Australia with some friends. That's right -- AUSTRALIA!!!! :) But alas, it had to come to an end, so I have ventured home from the outback, and it's back to reality. It was every bit as amazing as you think it might be (times a million). But, for all of you following my running and fundraising, I can assure you that, "no worries," I kept running! Granted, I couldn't run safely through the Australian Outback (hello 100 degree heat, snakes, wild animals, etc.), but I did cross-train during that time. I DID complete several long runs through Sydney on the gorgeous running paths that go around the harbor, Opera house and botanical gardens. It ROCKED!! I took a picture just to show proof that I am committed to raising this money for charity and training for this marathon! :) (Yup, that's me in my TNT Training hat on the running trail at dawn in Sydney harbor.)

Thank you for your continued support! I have not had time to send out my thank you letters yet, but I truly (TRULY!) appreciate your letters, donations and cheers! We're now at $6795...so, let's try to get to the $7,000 this week! Please feel free to forward this web site on to your friends and family. I learned something very special from the aboriginees this past week, which was the concept of "galing wawoo." Loosley translated to English, it means, "You give something to me, and I give something back." It's integral to their way of life. Running this marathon and raising funds for the L&L Society is my "galing wawoo." It's my way to give back for everything I've been given, especially being graced with good health, family and friends. I appreciate your willingness and support to give back to fellow mankind, as well. THANK YOU.

10 Miles of hills!

It was another crazy/fun day of TNT today! I was asked to provide the "Mission Moment" today, which means that right before we set out on our team run, I was given a few minutes to speak to our running group to tell my story of being a survivor and my interaction with TNT and the L&L Society. I felt so privileged to have a chance to tell these amazing, giving people how grateful I am for all this time (and physical energy) they are giving to charity and helping to find a cure! These people rock!

Pic #1: Me, Lisa & Jen (my running buddies) getting some Powerade after we slayed the huge hill!

That's right, folks. We did a 10 mile run on hills today...uphill...both ways. or, at least it felt like it. It's supposed to be our hardest run of our season. To put this in perspective, we have runs that will go 14 miles and 20 miles, etc. So, if this measly 10 mile run is the "hardest"...you have an idea now of the sheer amount of hills we were climbing. It's always a bad sign when Coach hands us a running map down a road called "Black Mountain Rd." Uh...yeah. Not a good sign.

There was a great 1.5 mile stretch going down this large hill...felt great. But, as my physics teacher taught me, what goes up, must go down. Sadly, in running, the reverse is also true (run down hill, must run back up it). I curse gravity today. Running up that steep hill was insane! Then, just when we ran down a mini-hill thinking we were done, we turned the corner and there was another hill. I'm not talking "incline"..I'm talking "hill." But, what kept my spirits up was that some of my friends from work

volunteered for the Aid Stations today during our run. I was never so happy to see someone more in my life -- especially because they set up camp at the very top of the huge hill. (Thanks, Jessica & Steve!)

Pic #2 & Pic #3: Me with co-workers, Jessica & Steve, who volunteered to help work the Aid Stations during our run. (Thanks, Jessica & Steve for volunteering!)

And, last but not least -- It was POWERADE CHALLENGE day!!! The Captain who had the least percentage of their team wearing the L&L Society TNT shirts would be doused with ice coolers of our drinks. The "C" Captain, Greg, lost the challenge (we had your back, Pattie, for Team B!)...so here's the video of the results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRHpdXON6GA

In Memory of...

A dear friend, Carolyn, was diagnosed with cancer in February 2007 (glioblastoma primary brain tumor, stage 4). She fought a vigilant fight, but sadly, she passed away yesterday, March 1st, at 12:42 p.m.

Yesterday, I ran 5 miles with our L&L Society TNT running team. Knowing Carolyn was in her final days with us, I trained for her Saturday...didn't stop...just jogged with the team while thinking of her and praying for her family. (I found out the sad news shortly after practice.) Our team may be running for leukemia, but any breakthrough in cancer research could be the beginning to finding cures for all types of cancer. I run for all of those who have valiantly fought battles with cancer.

I know she is no longer suffering and in a better place. It is only with pure selfishness that I have moments of sadness knowing that this world has lost such a beautiful and strong soul.