Show Your Grit Winners!

Months ago, our Team in Training group was challenged in a "Show Your Grit" contest against the other SF Greater Bay Area teams (Tri, cycling, hike, etc.). As one of the people who got to spearhead this contest for our team, I was so happy to find out that we won. It was a lot of hard work taking lots of photos and posting them on social media; I was happy to have support in posting and our crazy group really hammed it up for the camera. Below is one of many photos taken from our photo shoot by the SF office staff at our pancake breakfast (part of our award for winning). The images will eventually be used for local area marketing efforts. How fun!

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So Many Events, So Many Causes. It's All Good!

Do you have a fun run, mud race or other fitness event that you like participating in? Comment to this blog or e-mail me if you have my address.

We may talk about TNT/LLS often and by now you know why, BUT we also support other causes. In fact, a lot of events we sign up for benefit a charity, organization or the community. The majority of events out there have a cause they support.
I have had personal connections that got me involved to help causes such as the National MS Society (one of my best friends has it and does the walk every year), the American Diabetes Association (my uncle passed from it and I have friends living with it), the Alzheimer's Association (I know too many who lost loved ones to this) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association/ALS (participated in rides to MDA Camp, fundraising events, etc.).

I want to start taking a more in depth look at the Epilepsy Foundation. I think they don't get enough awareness as they should. "Not Another Moment Lost To Seizures" is their saying. One in 10 adults will have a seizure sometime during their life. I wish there was a cure for this, as I wish there were a cure for many of the other things people get diagnosed with.

20 Miler!

The longest run of the season for our team was this past Saturday. Participants ran up to 20 miles in preparation for the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll race the first weekend of June. Having just come off Avenue of the Giants on Sunday, May 6, I still decided to do the 20 miler and it was great! We ran in beautiful Tiburon, CA. There were some hills involved of course, but what our Coaches put us through, is well worth it because we go into our races well prepared. Some people ask why I decide to run as far as I do when I'm not necessarily signed up for a longer race (until July). I do it because I can, I do it to support others and my simple response is, "just because."

Travis is battling some slight injuries, but managed to still crank out 13 miles!!! We had the pleasure of seeing one of our team honorees, David, who was out there running with a big smile on his face and waited for everyone to finish, with lots of smiles and hugs to give out! I wish everyone could meet David; he's such an inspiration and positive individual to be around. We are nearing the next season of the Leukemia & Lymphoma's Team in Training and hope to be able to continue on in raising funds for this amazing organization. For those who haven't followed this blog page as often, one of my previous posts, was that my Birthday Wish this year is to be able to do another full season with Travis and the team. I can't do it without the wonderful support from individuals like you! Please help Team Strom stay together with TNT! :)

Melissa, Nikki & I Post Run!

One Inspirational Weekend!

This one's jammed packed folks. Travis and I were so lucky to be able to visit with our great friends, Tony & Julie! As you know, Tony is one of our personal honorees. We were so happy that they were able to come out to San Francisco for Julie's work and we sure took advantage of all the time we had to spend together! Last Thursday started out with a wonderful dinner in the city, followed by a trip over to Ghirardelli Square. Friday, we went on a solid 2 and a half hour hike at Muir Woods, followed by lunch and a walk in Sausalito then ended the day with the Brewers Vs. Giants game. You can't ask for anything better than seeing the reason behind why you started running right before going into your TNT race weekend.

On Saturday, Travis, one of our friends and I headed up north to the Humbolt, CA area in preparation for our race with our Team in Training crew that signed up for the Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon. After 4 hours of travel, race bib pick-up and finally check in at the hotel, we laid low and carbo loaded. Sunday was WONDERFUL!!! We met up with our fellow teammates and all started the race together amongst the giant redwoods! This is one of the most scenic races I've ever done, but to be honest, sometimes I don't notice my surroundings because I'm so focused on why I run, who I run for and getting to the finish line! The camaraderie when you are running with fellow "purple peeps" is amazing and the crowd support is too. As I sprinted to the finish, a woman looked right at me and yelled, "Thank You For What You Do." I still get chills hearing that because a stranger who I didn't know was thanking me for running to help those battling blood cancers. This was my best "official race" half marathon time to date. I ran a 2:01. Travis also had an "official race" best of 1:47. Enjoy a few photos below and feel free to contact me to learn how you can get involved. Thank you.

Travis, Ben, Anne, Me, Willie, Maddie, Nancy & Jen

All done! Apparently hiking 2 days before a race did the trick!

Tony at the Brewer's Vs. Giants Game on 5/4.

Meet Our Personal Honorees

I'd like to share with you who our personal honorees are in short detail so that you can further see why we continue to run with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, raising valuable funds to help find a cure for blood cancers and support patients and their families affected by this terrible disease.

First and foremost, our journey began when our dear friend Tony B. was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Dec. of 2009. We didn't want to sit back and do nothing. We needed to support him and his wife Julie in some way. Since they were hundreds of miles away from us, we decided to show our support throughout Tony's journey by running with the team to raise funds and help find cures. Today, I'm happy to say that Tony is currently in remission (as of the holidays last year) and he along with Julie share their story with others and emphasize the value of the LLS and "Be The Match" program. They are a strong couple that we truly admire.

Tony is now able to travel. Here he is with wife Julie at a wedding.

Our other Personal Honoree is Steve M. He and his wife Caroyln are wonderful individuals who we had the pleasure of meeting years ago. In fact, we purchased our first home from them in WI! Steve was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and has been undergoing treatment earlier in 2012. Steve and Carolyn are a loving couple, very caring and active in organizations within their local Florida community. I'm happy to say Carolyn's last FB post on Nov. 2, 2012 said, "Today I am thankful for my husband Steve's cancer-freeness!" Pictured below is Steve- "bald and beautiful" along with Oliver, their rescue dog.