I Biffed It. No Biggie!

What do you do when you BIFF it? Well, after a little "wog" (walk/jog) from the restroom before heading out for last Saturday's run, I tripped while cutting through a little pathway between two bushes. GRR, where'd that dang bump in the ground magically appear from? Like most people who take a little spill, the first thing you do is snap back up and kinda look to see who's watching! It's alright, I'm with my TNT peeps and all is good. Did it hurt, yup a tad..."Dirt off your shoulder," shake it off and get ready to run (thankful that I didn't twist or sprain anything). BEST PART!!! I see this random dude wearing this awesome shirt (see below). LOL (No he did not see the biff.)

If you like this pic, go visit our fundraising page will ya? Thanks for reading! CLICK HERE to visit the fundraising page and donate please! Thanks. -Lisa

Breezy Inspires Me!

By Lisa: In a past Blog, I wrote about the Nike Women's Virtual Half and some of the individuals I thought about while running. Since that time, I learned of another friend who was diagnosed with Lymphoma. That individual is now one of the personal honorees that I run for with Team in Training as we help raise funds to find cures and support patients and their families. 

That being written, what this new blog update is about, is a follow-up regarding Breezy- one of the brave little girls I thought about during my race who is the niece of one of my coaches. A news station recently shared her story and though I wish I could embed the video on this blog, I was able to post the article that was written, which you can read via the link below:

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/ten-year-old-cancer-patient-makes-tough-decision-g/nJywq/

Cancer, no matter what type, is terrible- period. No one wants to have a loved one affected by it, but sadly, it touches so many.

Cancer Is Bull! Incentive To Those Who Donate!

Friends and family, we need your help with our goal of raising $5,000 this season to help those fighting blood cancers and we are striving to achieve this by June 1st, 2012. Yup, quite the goal we know, but with your help, we can do it.

For the remainder of February, any donations of $125 or more will receive a "Cancer Is Bull" Technical T (pictured below- a $30 value). They come in men's and women's and we will mail you one or hand deliver (while supplies last). Please keep in mind this is for a great cause, so we might not have your size BUT you can always gift it to someone!!! To get in on this offer, simply donate and e-mail Lisa that you would like "in" on this incentive offer. Many thanks in advance. Click photo to enlarge. DONATE HERE

Please note: Men's runs pretty true to size and women's is a bit shorter and somewhat fitted so we would recommend requesting a size or two larger than what you normally wear.

Inspiration Point in Tilden Park

Last Saturday, we ran at Inspiration Point. Appropriately named I must add. It was a cold morning, but we didn't let that stop us. Right before the run, we learned some news about our friend and team honoree David B. As we ran, we thought of David and his strength along with others battling blood cancers. Here is what happened to David (mind you he was diagnosed with Waldenstroms Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma back on October 31st, 2006 and despite his pain, he's been an active participant with Team in Training, running numerous marathons and this season, his plan is to train and ride in four to five 100 mile century rides in 2012).

On Monday, February 13th at 10:15am, David was in the emergency room at San Ramon Regional Hospital after experiencing extreme stomach pains following a workout at his gym that morning. Doctors and nurses were all around him and he had a tube down his nose pumping out his stomach. He was admitted by 1:00pm and in a hospital bed by 2pm. The following night, the doctors took a peek through an incision below his belly button and found the problem. They made about a 1 inch slice in his skin, pulled out 7 feet of lower intestine that had twisted and removed an adhesion band that was causing the problem. In David's own words, "Afterward they stuffed it back into me and zipped me up. Thank God for great doctors!!! I lived in the Hospital until Friday, and was released at 1:30pm. What a week!!!!  It is very hard for me to be in a bed for a week, when I could be riding a bike and eating cheese up in Marin County. Now the kicker...NO RIDING, NO RUNNING, NO LIFTING for six weeks...OUCH!" Due to this set-back David will not be able to cycle with his Team in Training group who will be doing the Solvang Century Bike Ride in March, but it's amazing how positive he is and how he will be back at it before we know it. Though he won't be able to participate in these activities himself, he will be out there cheering everyone on!

It's times like this where we run because we can and we run for those who can't. Below is a photo we took from our run at Inspiration Point. We run because we can. We run for those who can't. Thanks for reading!

Rain, Rain Stay Away!

...and it did! It was a brisk, cloudy and damp morning, but you won't find any wimps here! We met up with our Diablo Valley Team in Training friends today for a fantastic run. Each step we took as a team, is another step to kicking cancer's butt! Below is a photo of our wonderful group today. We encourage you to also check out the link following it. Please and thanks! -Travis and Lisa

"TEAM JOSH"- Each season, our Diablo Valley Run Team gets an official "team name." That team name represents something we all stand for, encourages unity and team spirit. Past names have included, Epic and Synergy to name a couple. This year's team name is very special. WE ARE TEAM JOSH. Please take a moment and CLICK HERE to check out a video about the amazing individual for whom our team name is dedicated to and in honor of.

Welcome To Our Blog Page!

Hi everyone! Thanks for visiting our page. Here's what you can expect to find:

• To all our Team in Training supporters and those who follow our athletic adventures, you'll find updates here. Anything from training runs to races, fundraising efforts and stories of inspiration. We'll try to post them frequently.
• Occasionally, you might just see posts featuring our travels around California and other destinations.
• What about other Fun Stuff? We might post things "just because!"Could be an interesting story, cooking recipe or just a photo with a silly caption. You'll just have to visit back often to see what's new!

Nike Women's Virtual Half

By Lisa: On Saturday, January 14th, 2012 I completed the Nike Women's Virtual Half (see finisher's bracelet below). The temperature was around 38 degrees or so when I started. Pretty chilly since I've lost the thick blood from my Wisconsin days! I was part of the mighty TEAM VICTORIOUS (via a Nike challenge), who received automatic entry into NWM in October for uniting as one! Best of all, our efforts helped raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. :)

While running I thought about a former Coach's niece, Breezy who is only 9 and had to have a part of her leg amputated due to cancer. I also thought of my friend and team honoree David B. who runs and bikes more miles than only one could imagine doing. David was diagnosed with Waldenstroms Non Hodgkins Lymphoma back on October 31st 2006. It is a rare blood cancer that is treatable but not curable. The doctors also said that he had really bad osteoporosis in his back and spine, osteopenia in his legs and arms, arthritis in his shoulders, and over a 50% hearing loss...years later, despite how his body feels, he pushes through it all in his efforts to help find a cure for blood cancers. AMAZING!

"Breezy" Brianne, I learned is most inspired by Sarah Reinertson. Breezy says, that's going to be her! Check out Sarah Reinerston's video on YouTube and I'm sure you'll be inspired: