What A Weekend!

I'll spare all the extra activities that kept us busy from last Friday through Sunday and jump right to the "running" portion. For my Facebook friends, you got the gist of what the weekend adventures provided!

I pretty much agreed to doing an "impromptu" Half Marathon with my running buddy Charlene on Sunday. She asked me to sign up just three days before the event! Why not right? Now keep in mind, we are technically suppose to take it easy in preparation for our TNT Avenue of the Giants Race this coming Sunday 5/6!!! The day before the race, I had a run with our wonderful Team in Training crew- Team Josh. I decided to just do over 6 miles (about a 10K) since I needed to save my legs for the race on Sunday and figured the race would add on the mileage that would equate to what some of our fellow marathoners were suppose to run. Are you still following me on this one??? All said and done, I did just over 19 miles this past weekend! What was insanely exciting for me was that Charlene and I accomplished a 2:04 finish time after all the craziness we had gone through days before. YAY (finisher photo below)!

Charlene & I after the Pleasanton Half Marathon!

"Make Lisa's Birthday Wish Happen!"

The title says it all, make my birthday wish happen! May 25th is my birthday. Interestingly enough, the new Team in Training season (first run) kicks off on May 26th. Help me join Travis again for another season, as I'm kick-starting the fundraising now for a great cause. Thanks!

Survivor Mud Run!

On Saturday, April 21st, Travis and I headed to Lathrop, CA for the Survivor Mud Run. This race featured 3.5 muddy miles with 16 various obstacles to overcome. It was a fantastic time. We started early in the morning in the surprisingly hot sun and what felt to be at least 80 degrees- it was only 9am! This is our second type of "adventure race" and I can sense more to come. We are considering the Tough Mudder with a few other friends and that one would be no walk in the park.

Post Race!

We ran on April 21st. April 21st marked 6 months since the passing of our dear friend Rina's husband, Josh. His spirit lives on with our team this season. We have a great coached run with "Team Josh"- our Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training crew this Saturday. For those of you who don't know, anytime Rina or our teammates are graced by the presence of a Lady bug, this is representative of Josh. Think about Josh the next time you see a Lady bug and really cherish the moment that you're in. Again, we ask you to please make a donation so that we can continue our efforts with the LLS and Team in Training so that no one has to go through what many friends and families have to when faced with blood cancers. We need to find a cure!

Our Personal Honoree Tony Baker!

For the past 3 years now, Tony has served as our driving force behind why we originally joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. We were so thrilled to hear the news that he was in remission last year (right before the holidays). As Tony and his wife Julie show us, you never stop fighting and you never stop educating. Please visit this link and view the news story they were recently featured in: 
http://www.todaystmj4.com/features/specialassignment/147842235.html

Because they live in my home state of Wisconsin, this is an opportunity for all of my friends in other states to "meet" Tony (hear and see him first hand). It was great seeing the video, as I was just telling his story at our TNT Personal Honoree Picnic this past weekend. Also, please keep our friend Steve in your thoughts as he undergoes treatment for his lymphoma.

Again, if running isn't your thing, let us do the "leg work" for you. Just make a donation to help us take more steps forward towards finding a cure for blood cancers. You may want to consider other ways to help too, like volunteering at a local event for the LLS OR signing up for "Be The Match." Learn more about "Be The Match" by CLICKING HERE. Thanks! -Lisa

Here we are with our friend and personal honoree Tony and his wife Julie.

A Saturday Of Inspiration!

This past Saturday, our team came together for a coached run in Livermore, CA. I was up around 5am, and carpooled in with some of my friends for a 7:15am start time. This weekend I decided to once again go for the full mileage on our training calendar. I set out and completed 15 miles! It was a challenging route, but I did it (keep in mind a few of us ran a half marathon just the Sunday before). Go Team!

Waiting for all the participants at the end of this training run were family, friends, team honorees and personal honorees. What made Saturday extra special was that it was our Personal Honoree Picnic where fellow teammates were encouraged to share their personal connections to the cause. I heard many inspiring and emotional stories from those who lost loved ones, to those who are running for individuals currently undergoing treatment or are in remission. I decided to share "Team Strom's" story on why we began our journey with Team in Training. I was fortunate to announce that our personal honoree Tony is in remission, but it wasn't the case for other stories that were told...the tears were flowing, hugs were shared and many teammates stepped up to speak. I also decided to talk about our friends Steve and Carolyn. I thanked my fellow teammates for keeping them in their thoughts and prayers as Carolyn's husband Steve is currently undergoing treatment.

The stories that were shared this past Saturday is a constant reminder that we have to keep fighting! As always, I've included photos from this last weekend's adventure for you below. Simply click on them to enlarge them. Thanks again in advance for your support! -Lisa

My friends Ernie, Nikki & I on our 15-miler! We all ran the U.S. Half last Sunday. :)

Our fun "iRun" crew!

Yes, we still have the energy to plank! Do you see me?

U.S. Half Done!!!

We'll folks, another Half Marathon is in the books. I dedicated this race to my friends Steve & Carolyn. Carolyn's husband Steve was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and is undergoing treatment. For those who believe in the power of prayer, I ask you to keep them both in your thoughts.

The U.S. Half was a great race through the Presidio, up, over and under the Golden Gate and back, past Crissy Field and SF streets with great scenic views. We couldn't have asked for a better day and for it to be on Easter Sunday at that. Post-race photos are below. Upcoming Leukemia & Lymphoma Society TNT races include the Avenue of the Giants and San Diego Rock 'n' Roll. Nike also benefits LLS! Thanks for reading. -Lisa & Travis

Lisa & Her Running Buddy Charlene

With Our Great Friends (Who Are All TNT'ers)

We've Got Spirit!

Our team has such spirit. We ran long hill repeats on Tuesday and some of my fellow teammates came with cameras in hand to help me take photos for a "Show Your Grit" contest that pinned us up against other SF Bay Area TNT groups to see who could post the most photos for social media. I'm so proud to say our team won and beat out another team (that had twice the amount of people as us) by 300 photos! WOW! Not only do we get a pancake breakfast, BUT more importantly our faces on local marketing for LLS/TNT AND bragging rights are cool too! Check some of us out as we are "planking" (out of all things) AFTER our crazy workout. I also included a photo below of the group running up the hill. Enjoy!

Click Photos To Enlarge

Coach Tim leads the charge up the hill!

Showing Our Grit!

HOLY GUACAMOLE!!! Talk about two insanely crazy, but fun runs! All in the name of kicking cancer's butt. This last Tuesday, we had a track workout and it was pouring rain, but we got out there and did it. NO WIMPS! Read on and make sure to check out all of our photos below (click them to enlarge them).

Yesterday, we all ran at Lafayette Reservoir and it was only 48 degrees...might not seem "cold" for some of you, BUT when you add a major downpour and extreme wind, it's the "perfect storm." When you're soaked to the bone, can't feel your hands and can't see the direction you're running in, you find strength and spirit in knowing you are doing something greater than yourself. You are running for those who can't. You are running to help find cures for cancer. You are running in honor of your team honorees and personal honorees. We do a shout out and a moment of silence for all honorees past and present before every run. I (Lisa) always shout out Tony B. (who is now in remission and why we started this journey), Steve M. (who was recently diagnosed), Josh (in memory of the individual in whom our team is named for), David B. (one of the most determined individuals I know) and our other team honorees. We're not asking you to get out there and run, hey we'll do it for you, but if you find any inspiration in our posts, feel free to donate at www.teamstrom.bbnow.org. Thank you. Enjoy the photos!

Drenched, but still smiling at track!

The calm before the storm at Lafayette Reservoir.

Another pre-storm photo...This is the crazy hat crew!

All those "spots?" It's rain and Trav and crew are still smiling!

Yes I ran in my panda hat and my friend ran in his Elvis wig. We are trying not to get blown away here! 

Note the mud! My H-D jacket did come in handy post run at least!