Two weeks ago the TNT group met at the base of Mt. Scott in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton.  This is pretty much the only hill training available in Oklahoma for marathon runners.  It's 2.8 miles to the top.  This prepares many of the runners for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco next month.  It really wasn't that difficult.  I ran a slow pace all the way up only stopping to snap some pictures.  It's one of the more picturesque parts of Oklahoma.  It was pleasantly cool at the top due to the breeze.  Coming down of course was no big deal.  Just coasting all the.  Below are just a few pics.

It's really starting to heat up in Oklahoma so we have to start even earlier on Saturdays.  Yesterday we met at 6:00am at Kamp's Cafe.  We set out to run 8 miles.  I have started running with a hydration pack because I sweat like crazy.  It definitely helps and keeps my hydrated.  Next Saturday we head to Mt. Scott.  It's 3 miles up and 3 miles down.  It's elevation is 2464 feet.

Had a really good run this last Saturday.  It was only myself and coaches Jason and Jeri.  We decided we would just run the loop around the lake.  It was just under 10 miles.  The temperature was nice but the humidity was a bit high.  Being the heavy sweater that I am, it was a good chance for me to test trying to stay hydrated through the end without my legs cramping.  I did in fact make it around the lake without cramping.  Fortunate for me, the Tulsa marathon is in November and I won't have to worry much about humidity.

To those that have already made a donation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Last year I competed in the Redman Triathlon.  This Fall I will run in the Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa.  Why do I do this?  I do this because there is no cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma. 

In February, 2002, our son, Tyler, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Tyler began chemotherapy the same day he was diagnosed and he achieved remission quickly.  We were thankful, but still consumed with fear.  The first year of his therapy was hard.  We are grateful he doesn't remember most of it.  We pretty much lived in the hospital.

Tyler underwent three years of chemotherapy.  Overall, he had to have twenty-one spinal taps, seven bone marrow aspirations, two surgeries, hundreds of port accesses, hundreds of blood draws, Red Blood Cell transfusions, Platelet transfusions and eleven hospitalizations.  His treatment consisted of drugs such as oral, IV, and Intrathecal Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Vincristine, Daunorubicin, Ara-C, Cyclophosphamide, 6-Mercaptopurine, Prednisone, Dexamethasone, Peg Asparaginase, L-Asparaginase, Ketamine, Propofol and Atropine.  He lost most of his hair, swelled up like a balloon from the steroids, endured pain, battled nausea, and had to remain isolated for three years because of a severely compromised immune system.  Tyler was robbed of a large part of his childhood.  Through it all though, he exuded love and joy.  I pray he knows how much of an inspiration he is to me and others around him. He is a hero!

Tyler will be 16 this July. He is a 12 year survivor.  He is heavily involved in our church youth group and plays guitar in the youth band.  He is an Eagle Scout and a sophomore at Harding Fine Arts Academy in Oklahoma City where he is in National Honor Society, Student Council, Oklahoma Closeup and on the Varsity Cheerleading Team.  He enjoys playing games on the PS3 and watching movies.

I am entering this marathon in honor of Tyler.  Please help me reach my fundraising goal. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.