What an amazing journey.

This past weekend filled my heart with so much joy and pride and love. From the support of complete strangers, to the signs and cheers made for me by my Father John, sister Kimmie, Josh & Erica and Art. I don't think there is a way for me to put into words how grateful I am to all of them for what they did for me. Eternally grateful. Without the support of my donors to this, I wouldn't have been able to be a part of something so much greater than I could've imagined. TNT raised 3 MILLION dollars for blood cancer research in this event alone, and all of you who donated were a part of that!!

The race weekend started off with a bang with me getting to know one of my training teammates and hearing about her phenomenal battle with Lymphoma. Not only is she a survivor, but she has this beautiful energy and new found love of life that is just so amazing and contagious. She really brought the group together, and I am so thankful that we ended up on that same flyaway bus.

When race day finally came around, I was up at 4:30am with our group meeting in the lobby at 5:30am and the race starting at 7. Sleep was not my friend the night before.. I couldn't even begin to think of sleeping while I was envisioning what those dreaded hills would look like starting at mile 6. Not to mention the fact that this would be the farthest I have ever run. I think I managed to clock in about 2.5 to 3 hours of sleep LOL.

When we made our way out to the starting line I was overcome with the energy of the crowd. 25,000 people is quite astounding but 25,000 amazing and happy people coming together to fight cancer is life-changing for this girl. I will never forget the feeling.

The course was in fact brutal, but the people along the entire course cheering us on made it so much more bareable, and I am pretty sure I had perma-grin on my face 99 percent of the time. I have included some images from the race that really moved me and a few of my own as well. I have so much gratitude and eternal thanks for my training team, coaches, family, friends and complete strangers who truly made this an amazing experience. I love you

!!!

Me with my registration bag

team in training SFV crew!!!

Out on the course!!!

Kelley Choen stands with her bone marrow donor Joe DiNatale.. she spoke at our inspiration dinner.. wonderful story.

Jessica Mojica of Bakersfield pushes her son Nathan Garcia, who is suffering from stage 4 brain cancer

a HUGE thank you to my awesome friends for coming out and making my fundraiser the BEST!

Great music by Taurus McDaniel and Ben Dukes. An awesome raffle, photobooth and silent auction.

Below is a list of the amazing people who participated and donated items to my fundraiser. I really appreciate all of you for making this an amazing experience and a successful one at that!

I cannot even begin to thank all of you who have donated for your support! You have no idea what this means to me, and to so many lives that you are touching and saving. LLS is one of the most moving organizations filled with so many beautiful people who are willling to help, and by making these donations, YOU are making a difference. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity.

Today's 11 miles was amazing. Although I did have a MAJOR oppsies and tripped on a rock and fell down. But don't you worry, I got back up and kept it going! Never surrender right? Mostly my pride was hurt LOL. But man 11 miles! That is the farthest I have ever run, and I am so proud of myself and my team in training teammates, couldn't have done it without you guys!!!! Now, off to eat a nice "healthy" breakfast complete with some AMAZING salsa my teammate was selling at practice! OMNOMNOM.

Much love everyone!!! Have an awesome and blessed weekend!

This whole experience has just blown me away so far! Never in my life did I believe I could run almost 8 miles and still feel good at the end! I am constantly surprised at what can be accomplished if you truly put your mind and heart into it.

It really does make all of the difference to hear the amazing people speak at the beginning of our Saturday practices. They speak about their experiences with cancer, and how Team In Training has made it possible for them to receive the necessary drugs to fight. It is a truly moving experience every single time and reminds us all of what we are raising money towards. I am so proud to be a part of TNT!! I am also so very grateful to my friends and family who are helping me reach my goals. You guys rock! Love you!!!

I included a photo this entry of me and my dad, thank you for all of your support, I really appreciate what an amazing father and person you are!

Much Love!

-Tiffy

This week has been a very emotional one for me. Hearing the stories and challenges others have had with cancer truly opens the flood gates to all of the memories. It also reminds me of why I am doing this and who it is truly for. It's become so much more than I ever thought it would be. All of the support I am getting from my friends and family is really inspirational and makes getting up early and getting out there to do my training everyday that much easier, so THANK YOU. I am truly blessed to have people in my life like you! my bestie Josh sent me a great quote the other day that I thought I would share here:)

"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts"

-Steve Prefontaine

Thanks Bestie! You RULE!