Talan. Age 3. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

We get a million requests for a dollar here, five dollars there. It is hard to decide where and who to help. Every cause is worthy in its own right. I will leave that decision up to you as I have also had to decide. This is my cause. Little boys like Talan. He is one of the millions of reasons I commit not only my professional career but a large majority of my personal time to finding a cure for cancer. He is the reason I wake up at 4 am to run in 100+ degree weather, the reason my legs are throbbing and my knees are pounding, the reason I ran through a dust storm last night, the reason I know I have the strength to complete 26.2 long miles, the reason I have hope. He is only 3 and yet has so much strength. He has faced head on something so much larger than anything most of us will ever have to face. I take comfort in knowing that research funded by people like me and the army of "Purple People" will save his life. Don't get me wrong, his life will be forever changed. Cancer is awful. But he will have a chance at life. Leukemia is the number one childhood cancer. It attacks innocent children. We really need your help, should you decide that this is your cause as well, any donation amount will help. My dream is that Talan's children will not even know what the word Cancer is. Is that yours? Please consider a donation. On behalf of Talan, his family, and all of our other patients, thank you!

Week 2---

We made it!!! Aliens were no match for us! After a long road trip to Vegas and a quick stop at the hotel we loaded the buses to head out into the dark night. 30 minutes or so into the bus ride the excited chatting came to a dull roar and concern seemed to wash over the bus. The driver was going the wrong way; the exact opposite direction to be exact. The driver pulled off of the highway and made a tight u-turn. Then we were headed back the way we came. After a tense two and a half hour additional hours we were finally at the start line. Since they had already delayed the start to wait for the lost bus we had to quickly jump off the bus and prepare for the race to start as soon as we got there. There was no time to stretch, gu, or to head for the port-o-potties. Not a great way to start a race but the weather was cool and the breeze felt nice.

We ran 6.5 miles straight up hill with the last two miles packing one final punch to make sure we earned every bit of the 13.1. At the top of the hill we stopped to refill our bottles and I seized the chance to jump in the port-o-potty. Then we were off again! Only 6.6 more miles to go! The last two were tough but Brett and I pushed through it together.

Finally we crossed the finish line and it was over. It was Brett's very first half marathon and he was a champ! We loaded the buses and headed back to Vegas, hoping this bus driver knew where he was going. Around 8:30 AM we finally laid down to catch up on some much needed rest. We almost fell asleep with our metals on that hung proudly around our necks.

Week 3--

After a day of rest we were back to our training plan and feeling good. Practice was great; we lead the pack and had a chance to run with some new people. We were able to run the first two miles the whole time only switching to my run/walk on the way back. It was warm and humid but felt great to be out watching the sunrise. After practice we headed over to Runner's Den for a shoe clinic. It ended up being rather nostalgic for me. The same man that fit me for my very first running shoes for cross country my freshman year of high school 14 years ago (I also realized how OLD I am getting!!!)was now fitting me for shoes for my first marathon. So crazy to think about. Brett and I left the store excited about our new shoes and ready for a little nap.

Sunday morning I woke up early and wanted to head to the office to get a jump start on turning in everyone's letters I had collected the previous day. As we approached my car we saw a pile of glass on the ground below my window. Someone had broken my window and stole all of the letters! I felt so sick to my stomach and felt my head start to spin. All of the letters that people had worked so hard to complete were gone!!! I couldn't even believe it!

After a call to 911, an interview with a police officer, and a dusting from the forensic unit we were left with no answers just disappointment. Brett's Nike watch and my iPod were also victims of this cruel act. It definitely put a damper on the rest of the weekend. I am writing from the car glass repair place right now, for which I have to pay for the repair out of pocket on top of it!

I was really angry and disappointed that people can treat others so awfully. I feel bad for the people who broke in. They must be in a really desperate place to feel like they only option is to steal from others. But life has a way of catching up with people. In their honor I am going out of my way to do an extra act of kindness each day. Clearly this world needs more kindness. Until next week…

See.. we need your help!!! Miss Dominie-- Our "why" (pictured above)

Training Has Begun!!!!

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!!!

So here I am one and a half weeks into training and I can not even believe it is here already!!! I feel like we have been talking about this race forever! We signed up in January thinking we had "so much time" and suddenly I am hit with the realization that we are 17 weeks away from the big day! This whole time I have said "ya, I'm doing a marathon in December." Like it was no big deal....well holy moly it is a HUGE deal!!! 26.2 miles is a very long way! Then, after a few deep breathes, I realize it is absolutely nothing in comparison to what Dominie had to endure. Yes, I am a little nervous, maybe even scared but I know with my amazing coaches and support of my teammates I will be just fine!

Here's a little recap of the training adventure so far;

Week One:

As Coach Steve would say I am doing everything the exact opposite way they are supposed to be done. But did you really think I would have it any other way? Why start listening to him now??? =)

Training Begin-Brett and I excitedly got up early (4:30 AM) to run on Sunday morning for two hours. That was day one. Yes, two hours is how we started our training. We are running a half marathon at midnight on the 13th. So we thought it would be a good idea to take a complete break from training until this fateful Sunday where we would magically run two hours and be caught up to speed and ready to do a half. Well, after battling 90+ degree temperatures and more than necessary humidity, we did it! Surprisingly it wasn't "that bad". The only problem was that was supposed to be a rest day. (Sorry Coach Steve)

The rest of the week we alternated between kick boxing and running, following the schedule. It felt good to be back into the swing of things. Our kick boxing teacher is amazing, he is an ex-police officer and is the perfect blend of drill sergeant and teacher. I am getting better each day and look forward to our sessions! There is something therapeutic about punching a bag as hard as you can...

Finally we made it to Saturday, our first team practice. It was great to meet everyone and have a buddy or two to run with out on the canals.

We wrapped our week with a trip to our local Hi Health and are now officially marathon athletes as we have added protein shakes and supplements into our daily regiment.

About that half marathon, well it is this Saturday night at midnight. So if you happen to be up around that time send us a few positive thoughts. We are going to need all the help we can get! After that we are back to the schedule, we promise Coach. That is if we survive!

I hope you will follow along on this journey. I am sure there will be a few laughs, knowing me, a few tears, and hard work all for an amazing cause.

Please also consider making a donation. The funds we raise really do save lives. I have committed to do my part and now I just need your help. All of the love and encouragement you could provide is also very much appreciated!

Now I have to go eat an egg or something....go TEAM!

Here I go...AGAIN!!!

A big hello to all of my friends and family!!! It seems to be about that time again for me to tackle another Team In Training event!

So much has happened since that first information meeting! As many of you know, I completed my first event with Team In Training, a triathlon, in Parker Arizona in 2008. I received one of the brochures in the mail and thought, "Hmmmm...I have always wanted to do something to give back. AND it would be nice to get rid of a few extra pounds, (apparently a side effect of wine drinking as a primary extracurricular activity). So why not?!?" My friend Justin and I headed to the Scottsdale Civic Library. We sat through the meeting and left jittery and excited. Personally, the challenge of conquering an endurance event was thrilling. I was also honored to have the opportunity to help fund vital research and to really help people. On the drive home, I reflected on our close family friend, Dan Rhinehart. Who at a very young age taught me what a deadly and tragic disease cancer can be. Leukemia took him from not only my family but his wife and two small kids at just 29. At those first few practices, as I SLOWLY plugged along on my $60 Walmart bike, the memory of Dan and the determination not to let another family suffer the way the Rinehart’s did, was the only thing that got me through.

Since then, I have absolutely fallen in love with Team In Training. So much so that I completed another event and now work for The Society. I feel so honored to be surrounded by such a giving, caring, and amazing group of people. My determination to continue fighting against this horrific disease has only been strengthened by the courageous survivors and fearless families I have met.Including those who have been saved by the research that LLS has funded. But, I have also given too many hugs to parents whose child has lost their battle. Since that first information meeting, Justin's father was diagnosed and passed away from cancer. Unfortunately, the stories go on and on. It is so easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed. However, this is a real way to stand up and fight. This is my way. I hope you help me in this battle. Please consider donating. Every dollar counts.

This is also my very FIRST marathon. I manage the marathon program for Team In Training. I am not sure I can handle another season of shocked faces when I have to confess even though I have completely assured them they can do it, I have never done it myself. So here I go. I will be "blogging" about my experiences here, so at the very least be sure to check back, if only for a laugh or two.

Let's save lives together! Go TEAM!!!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to everyone who donated!!! I am already so excited for the race. I am continuing to keep in shape to be ready to begin training in August. I am also doing Ragnar Relay in about 3 weeks which will be the farthest I have ever run. Unfortunately, I started having some pain in the ball of my foot so I went to the doctor today. One painful cortisone shot later, my foot is aching and I am left hoping it heals quickly. I was reminded that it is nothing compared to what a cancer patient has to endure. So I guess I will quit whining. My mom, Brett, and I ran 6 miles last Sunday. The longest run Brett has ever done! He handled it like a champ, and is sure to be ready to tackle the 26.2 in December. More to come! Thanks for checking back!