Well folks, another Nike Women's race has come and gone! When I first began with Team In Training (TNT), the Nike Women's Half Marathon was my first race ever. Last year, again with TNT, I did the Nike Women's FULL Marathon- my first full ever. This year, I went for the "trifecta" and once again did the Nike Women's Half Marathon with TNT. All three years, Travis and I have both fundraised to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society despite times when one or both of us had already gotten accepted into the race via lottery. This past Sunday's race, October 14th, was dedicated to our personal honorees Tony and Steve. We also ran for all of our Team Fury honorees and in memory of Josh Knoblock.
The Nike Women's Race is one of my all time favorites because since it's inception in San Francisco 9 years ago, it has raised over $128 million dollars for the LLS. Nike of course does what Nike does best, "hook you up." At the finish, I got another lovely Tiffany's finisher's necklace and not going to lie, was super stoked to see that the finisher shirt was a NEON GREEN- matching my "Slimer" shoes (I even did a little dance when I saw the shirt).
I feel that this third Nike has really brought things full circle for me. Travis and I have come a long way with our running and fundraising. I have also found some renewed confidence in my health. The hills of San Fran at this race use to seem so daunting, but after great training from our coaches over the seasons and diving into crazy trail runs this year, those hills were nothing! THANK YOU to everyone who supported "Team Strom" through another season with TNT. Your generosity and continued support is much appreciated. You fueled us through the finish line and every dollar you gave, was a dollar towards finding cures for blood cancers.
The Team Victorious Side
So this year's Nike was extra special because I got a chance to be a part of a group that became something bigger than what we could have all imagined. Back in January, I chose to sign up for Nike's Virtual Half and they set forth a challenge for individuals to sign up as a group. The largest group would get automatic entry into the Nike San Fran race. Well, Team Victorious, which culminated from one wonderful "Captain Jules" were the "winners." Throughout the months leading up to this race, we all corresponded via Facebook, met at different races, shared stories of why we run and who we run for and gave each other advice when times seemed tough. Of course all of the individuals on this team also helped contribute to fighting blood cancers and some were even part of TNT as well, such as myself. You know you have inspired others and shown the public what a team can do, when Nike acknowledges your group with things such as a private shopping hour at Niketown, exclusive Team Victorious Nike Tech T and group photo shoot. WOW! Please enjoy all the photos below. Click to enlarge them and as always, thanks for reading.
My Race Day Shirt
Race Morning With Running Buddy Charlene & Trav
Coach Tim Meets Up With Us
Post Race Photo By The TNT Honorees' Wall
The Tech T That Nike Gave To Team Victorious Members (My name's inside the V)!
Group Photo Shoot For Team Victorious The Night Before The Race!
Great post
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