It's been a beautiful week in the desert, albeit not a good training week--too much fun & sun & vino! But I did manage to get in three runs and a great hike! I'll be happy to return to the more humid Northwest to get my training back on track but really enjoyed the gorgeous desert setting this week...here are some highlights!
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Keep this little hunk in your thoughts and prayers as his family was recently given the devastating news of cancer returning for the fourth time. His little body doesn't have anything left to fight with and they are now facing the worst nightmare any parent can imagine. This is why we are training & fundraising--so that no more families have such heartbreaking tales. You can read more about this family at: www.healinghunter.com. Last Saturday before our run, we had another mission moment that I wanted to share with everyone.
A TNT member who is training for the Iron (Wo)man shared the story of her cancer buddy--Natasha. She became an Honored Teammate for their Triathalon team and the whole family really got into supporting the team. Natasha made it through the first and second season--and the TNT members took turns visiting her every day to update Natasha on their training. She wasn't able to make it to the finish line but was there in spirit. Somewhere along the way, when one of the TNT members was complaining about being tired or something, Natasha responded with "Suck it up princess." It became the rallying cry of the team and kept them motivated through their training. They were pleased when Natasha made it through their second season and supported them to go for a third triathlon season. Unfortunately, half-way through the training, last March, Natasha lost her battle with cancer. It shook the team hard, but they sucked it up and as they crossed the finish line, Natasha's grandmother had a massive poster with Natasha's smiling face there to greet them. So when I hit the NE 33rd Street hill at the end of my run, I kept the Natasha theme in my head...and will continue to throughout the season. I had my first 3 mile run today and but for a half-block of walking, didn't do too bad! But the "tortoise" theme continues with a time of 37 minutes...so, yay, not going for any gold medals!
In our first week of fundraising, we are already at nearly $1500!! You are all AMAZING! Made that tough run this morning (my body really still wanted to be in bed) worth it!! Thank you!!
A couple who have completed about two dozen events (including Ironmans!) joined us at the start of our run today to tell us the story of their daughter Emily who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four, after what they thought was just a simple cold wouldn't go away. Her Dad told us the story of how he worked out a deal with the hospital that at the end of treatments each day, the hospital staff would turn Emily back over to her parents for the day so that Emily would know that her parents were still in charge. That way Emily could go from patient to little kid again and get a bath and to play barbies! One night, a nurse came in to make some changes after Emily's Dad had already tucked her in for the night. The nurse wanted to wake her up and administer some more medicine. The Dad pushed back saying that he had promised his little girl that she was tucked in for the night and that they wouldn't wake her up. After a bit of a stand-off, the head nurse finally brought the doctor and the doctor agreed that there wasn't anything life-threatening, and they could leave Emily alone for the evening. As the nurses and doctor walked away, Emily, who her Dad thought was asleep, said "Thanks Dad." The lesson being, that in life, even if you don't think anyone is watching or listening, your good work doesn't go unnoticed. XOXO to you Emily and your wonderful family.
All of the lunges caught up with me...not easy to get out of bed today, yikes!!!
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May 2010
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