Bob's TNT page

Racing to Save Lives

Hi, I'm Bob Cowles. Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in the Grand Rapids Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

Not only will I run the marathon, I will shave my head and sideburns, and let you determine the location of my new "26.2" tattoo when this is all over with!

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

Training progress:

Ran 8 miles on Saturday, June 13. Left hip and knee are alright, provided I stretch before and after each run. That being said, a little pain is NOTHING compared to cancer!

Ran 8 miles on Saturday, June 20 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. Hot and muggy weather aside, felt good to get out there and run, even with my left knee giving me crap for an hour and 25 minutes!

Raced in the Seaway Run on Saturday, June 27. Posted a time of 29:25, which was good enough for 450th overall and 33rd in my age group.

On Monday, June 29, I spoke with Donna about lining up corporate sponsors. She told me that I could sell advertising space on my jersey, plus she told me how to fill out a grant application for Sam's Club.

Tuesday, June 30, ran 5 miles in the muggy wet weather. Thought about stopping after 4 miles, but I couldn't. I've got to keep going.

Spent a couple of weeks doing tempo runs, trying to regain my speed. As long as I lengthen my stride, I'm fine.

Saturday, July 11: ran 11 miles with the Lakeshore group in Ferry Park. Ran with Danielle for a few miles, and she's the kind of person you're grateful to run with. She's done marathons before, so I let her lead the way. Also, Doug taught me how to use energy chomps. Apparently you're supposed to take one every 10 minutes, not every 40. And I cannot come to a dead stop at aid stations; makes my knee flare up something fierce!

Tuesday, July 14: Had my last physical therapy appointment. As long as I do my exercises, I shouldn't have to go back there... at least until the marathon is over with.

Saturday, July 18: Ran 12 miles on my own. Took a gel before starting, then 1 GU Chomp for every mile starting at mile 5. It was the best solo run I've had in awhile.

Saturday, July 25: Ran with the group at Ferry Park again. Everyone says I'm doing better, even though I'm always the last one to finish. Danielle says my stride's improved, which should reduce the pain in my shins. I also need to talk to Doug or Donna about ordering gels in bulk...

Wednesday, July 29: Called my pastor and asked for a reminder of what the "Four Ss" of living are. They are: Survival, Safety, Success, and Significance. Some days, it feels like I'm in Survival, other days I'm Safe, but rarely do I cross into Success or Significance. When I complete this marathon on October 18, you can bet that will launch me into Significance. Not only because I'll have completed a marathon, but because of what I'm doing it for.

August was a great month for running. Finished Miles for Meals in 29;14, pushed my long runs to 16 miles, and started running before the crack of dawn. Hard to believe, but I love running before the sun comes up... it's just me, my thoughts, and the open road in front of me.

August also saw me move back to the demo department at Sam's Club, which means having to be into work by 11-11:30 on most Saturdays. I don't get to train with my Team as often as I'd like, but I gotta do what I gotta do. Besides, I like working with the demo ladies; it's like working with the Golden Girls, and I don't feel stressed or harassed while I'm giving out samples.

September's been good so far. I've learned about gel consumption, how to save my energy for the last couple miles, and am learning about good nutrition, one bite at a time. Hell, this past Tuesday, I actually ordered an omelet from Toast N Jams with whole eggs, not just egg whites. Still didn't fill me up, but it's a step in the right direction.

As for fundraising, only 5 more days until recommittment, and I'm still short by a lot. However, the TNT bracelets have sold quite well, and I wish I'd have sold them from day 1 of this adventure. I still have plenty left, so if you'd like one, just ask me. I also have local entertainment coupon books for $20, so if you'd like one, say so.

Tuesday, 9/29: Hard to believe we're less than 3 weeks away from taking on the marathon. Saturday, I logged 20 miles by myself, just by managing to put one foot in front of the other for 3 hours and 40 minutes, and today, I ran for four miles in wet, miserable weather. Then again, I recall running the Fifth-Third 25K in the same weather, so no worries.

Gotta say thank you to all my donors... granted, I fell short, but it wasn't because of you. Not only do I need to thank the people listed on my site, but I need to thank a lot of my coworkers:

Diane, Lisa, Chartrese, and Chris- pharmacy

Brandy and Brenda- Photo

Norma, Jan, Allene, Rose P, Star, Rose M- demos

Laura- optical

Ida, Elaine- greeters

Maria, Shawn- Bakery

And my friends from New Life:

Pastor Joe

Joe Kelm

Bryan

Marios and Cherie

Misha

Sandi Bush

Eric and Julie

Jason and April

Also need to thank:

Mom

Sheryl Flannery

Ann Youngdahl

Richard Clark, owner, Jazzy Cafe

Tuesday, October 13: Went ahead and got my hair shaved. Ryschard Laws is an excellent barber... but man, is it hard to stay warm without hair!

Saturday, October 17: Left for Grand Rapids. Picked up my packet from the Y, checked into the Marriott, had a great dinner at McFadden's, had some Kashi Go Lean Honey Almond Flax for a bed time snack, and went to sleep.

Sunday, October 18: I did it! I crossed the finish line! Here are my official results:

Place: 829

Age group: 76/76

Time: 5:11:10

Pace: 11:53

Again, big thank yous to all my donors, and to my leaders at Team in Training. Coach Doug, Danielle, Donna, Bruce, Michelle... I love all of you!

"during the struggle they may pull us down

but please, please let's use this chance to turn things around

And tonight, we can truly say

Together we're invincible"- Muse, "Invincible"