The final weeks of this training season are upon us! This was a picture from the first official Broncos game of the football season. And yes, we were giving away beads for donations! I honestly dreaded doing these events in the beginning but I've come to realize that this is when we get to meet complete strangers who (sometimes) like to share (bits of) their cancer stories with us. I have noticed that some quietly and swiftly drop some money in our bucket and walk away, and oddly I think those are the people who likely would have a lot to say to us about their experience with cancer but aren't ready to share with just yet. Cancer is heavy.  

I have been reflecting a lot lately what drew me to TNT, and originally I think it was a lot of things. Mainly, I wanted to train for another race with the support of others. It's become much more to me since then. I think this work is (almost) more rewarding to me than the work I get paid to do (shhh, don't tell anyone that though). I am a Registered Dietitian for a living. I work in a community health center and I do find my work incredibly rewarding, don't get me wrong. I think I have one of the best jobs in the world. I love to turn scientific mumbo-jumbo into more applicable, understandable terms for people. The main focus of my profession is prevention of chronic disease and utilizing the science of food and physical activity for these efforts. 

Ready for the kicker? There is pretty much nothing I can tell a person to prevent leukemia and lymphoma. That's right. No science based evidence about healthier eating or physical activity will prevent these life-threatening diagnoses. And THAT is what gets me. The diagnosis is that much more devastating. THIS is why those who are dealing with blood cancers need our help. 

So, this is the final push- funds are due by October 6th. Consider making a donation even if you don't consider it a very "helpful" amount. Every dollar is helpful and every amount is appreciated. I appreciate it for sure as a means to get to my goal, but I think the people this money will go to will appreciate it much more. 

Go team! Rockies beads for donations today at the game. This is what I do with my "spare" time nowadays (which is little, if any)! Thankfully, these wonderful people make it fun. 

And by the way, since you're here you should know I have a contest going. Anyone who donates $13.10 (that's $1 for every mile I'm running) from now until the end of August will be entered in a chance to win a $25 Banana Republic gift card! 

(Denver Central + South Team) Well, it's officially game time. Halfway there and we're still goofing off! Above is a photo from race simulation day. Half marathoners ran a 10k (that's 6.2 miles, no big deal). Marathoners ran a half marathon (that's 13.1 miles, what I'm training for- yikes!).

(Denver Central) Love this team! So fotunate to get to run with these amazing people every week. It doesn't take just anyone to commit to running these crazy distances AND raise money for a wonderful cause. 

Saturday, July 25th team run

Today, I ran 7.5 miles this morning starting at 7am. I'd call it a productive way to start a Saturday! Seriously, the worst part of doing all this is waking up at an unreasonable hour on a Saturday but the rest is easy when you have the support of others to help you through it! 

Later on, we met Mark who we have named our official Team Hero. And his cute new puppy, Ren who is the sweetest little guy ever. 

Mark recently moved to Denver a little over a year ago and was diagnosed with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia) shortly after. He had gone snowboarding for the day, and after getting back home felt a very bad pain in his stomach. He decided to get himself to the hospital and was admitted for a week. His spleen was enlarged and his white blood cell count was through the roof. All this, he said, from what felt like a bad stomach ache! Luckily, in the end he was given a drug called Gleevec which has helped him to survive. He takes it twice a day, and the only issues for day to day living is that he needs to fast 2 hours before and after taking it. And he can't have grapefruit. Small price to pay though for something that can save your life.

It was humbling to hear Mark's story and know that a drug that came about because of the funding from LLS has helped save lives. Through all of the shock and devastation, Mark seemed to take it all in stride and handled it well. And this was only a year ago! He loves the outdoors and participating in triathlons, and hopes to be getting back into these activities very soon. We are hopeful he can come join us for a group run soon as well! He says he's out of shape, but I'm not sure I believe him. Triathletes, I think, are as hardcore as they come! 

WELCOME!

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training - and will be participating in the Denver Rock & Roll Half Marathon on October 18, 2015. This will be my third half marathon to date!

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 and want to help those in need of access to care. 

Your donation will help fund treatments that save lives every day. You may not know it, but every single donation helps save a life with breakthrough therapies. Here's how the funds YOU donate support the mission of TNT. No donation is too small and will help make great strides in saving someone's life!  

Patients need these cures and they need your support.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help get us all closer to a world without blood cancers. Whether it's a $1 or $100, every amount is appreciated more than you know! 

Fall team 2015! 

This is Baby Melina, a teammate's daughter who passed away 11 years ago at the age of 11 months. I never knew her, but her story touched me the first day I started with Team in Training and I think of her often when I run. No child's life should end at such an early age.