Team in Training 2013

This year, I am planning on being a mentor for the Treasure Valley Team in Training group.  Raising money to find a cure for blood cancer has changed my life in untold ways.  I would encourage anyone to do this.  Remember, I started out as a couch potato who couldn't talk to people if you paid me.  In 6 months, I had helped to raise nearly $5000 and had run 13.1 miles in one stretch.   Never did I see myself accomplishing so much!  And what an adventure it has been.  

You can also run with the team until recommittment (for free) to see if it is something that you really want to do.

The races for this spring are "Famous Potato" in Boise on May 18th, "Rock and Roll" in San Diego on June 2, and the "Nike Women's Half" in DC on April 28. Also, for those interested in the triathlon, the "Pacific Crest Triathlon" takes place on June 30 in Oregon.

There are 4 info meetings and a kick-off meeting. If you want to get involved, I would advise you to attend one of the info meetings and the kickoff meeting.

Info Meetings:

 January 15, 6:30pm. Idaho Pizza Company on 7100 W Fairview Ave.

January 17, 6:30 pm. Chicago Connection on 1935 S Eagle Rd.

January 19th, 10:00am. Thomas Hammer Downtown on 298 N 8th St.

January 24, 5:30pm. Boise First Community Center on 3852 N Eagle Rd.

Kick off meeting: (Definitely go to this!) January 24, 7pm. Boise First Community Center. This takes place after the info meeting.

You can still join the team, even if you can't make it to one of the meetings, by signing up online. (For instance, your schedule is too busy, or you live out of town.  Because even if you don't live in the Treasure Valley, you can still train.)

It is usually $100 to sign up, but if that is out of the budget, you can talk to Dan Parker who may be able to get you a discount. (I got one last year!)

Online registration can be found at www.teamintraining.org

I am so excited this year! I can't wait to start this up again.

Team In Training - Together We Train to Beat Cancer

www.teamintraining.org

Team In Training - Together We Train to Beat Cancer

 

I really encourage anyone who is able to do this.  You won't be disappointed. :)

Catching Up

I apologize for the gap in posting.  I finished my half marathon almost a month ago and haven't done a whole lot of running since.  No, I am not being a slacker.  I've been recuperating from surgeries. 

Crossing the finish line

Back in July I started to have wrist pain.  When I went to the doctor a couple weeks later, he said it was probably a cyst and sometimes they go away on their own.  So I waited for a few months hoping it would get better.  It didn't.  It just got bigger.  Finally, the week after my race, I went in for surgery and had it removed.  While it is still sore 3&1/2 weeks later, it sure feels a lot better than it did.

After the race

Along with the wrist pain, I also found a lump in my breast.  I had an ultrasound and a mammogram (which are not fun, for those of you who have yet to experience that delight) and they told me it was probably a fibroadenoma.  Fibroadenomas are almost always benign, but it has been the "almost" part that gives me the heebee-geebee's.  After a few weeks of me worrying about a biopsy and not really wanting to be poked in such a sensitive area, the doctor's office called me and I broke down and scheduled it.  The biopsy was this week.  I won't find out the results until tomorrow. 

Surgery takes a lot out of me!  I got super super sick after the wrist surgery, and have had less energy and desire to do anything than usual.  But, I am finally starting to feel like myself again!  Yay!  I even started sewing again today; something that I haven't done in about 5 or 6 months. 

Posing after the color run

A few weeks ago, I did get up the courage to do a short 5k.  Mom and I walked the "Color Run" in Boise and had a blast!  I love hanging out with my mom. :)

(And yes, I realize that the pictures don't match, but I forgot to get them posted before!)

A Commencement of Sorts

I’ve been trying to find words that would in any way do justice to my feelings and experiences over the last 6 months with Team in Training.  But the right words continually escape me.  Life has an amazing twist of ups and downs, and if you take those away it loses its luster.  These last few months have left me full of life and gratitude.  My heart has been so full.

I searched for a long time trying to find something that would make me feel that I was using my talents and fulfilling my purpose.  When I found TNT I felt like I had come home.  I felt like I had finally found my place – in daily service to those around me.  One person can’t cure cancer by herself, but that won’t stop her from trying!

Crossing the finish line at 3 hours and 37 minutes, after running 13.1 grueling miles, my body was ready to collapse, but my heart was filled with so much joy, it boiled over as tears.  Jamie was standing there waiting, completely covered up to hide from the sun that is deadly to her right now.  Her GVHD (a reaction to her transfusion last July) is pretty bad right now, but she deals with it every day, and somehow manages to have a positive outlook and a bright smile every time I see her.  She is an inspiration to me!

Many of my teammates are cancer survivors or are married to one.  We have all experienced the devastating dread that comes with the diagnosis of blood cancer.  It’s never easy.  But the road we walk together is one of inspiration and love. 

I once thought that one person couldn’t really that much of  a difference, but TNT has taught me that I can.  From one person’s desire to find a cure for blood cancer came an entire family full of advocates.  We raised over $5000 and ran hundreds of miles.  We have overcome many health problems and have become even closer as a family.  No person is ever too small to make a difference.

I want to issue a challenge to everyone who reads this.  You can achieve anything your heart feels a desire to do. Nothing is ever too great. Find your desire.  Find that thing that plants a burning flame in your heart, then go out there and make it happen.  Life is too short to let it pass by.  You CAN make a difference! And if your path just so happens to lead you to running marathons with TNT, we welcome you with open arms. Don’t wait for life to come to you.  Go out there and make it happen. =)

Much love and gratitude to all those who helped make my time with TNT a success. I plan on doing my part to cure cancer for as long as I am able.  This isn’t an ending…my journey has only just begun.

And the Winner Is...

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donated to our fundraiser!  Each one of you has made a difference in so many lives.  Thank you for participating in our raffle.  I know waiting sucks! We've put this off a couple times, delaying it for a month and a half, but the long awaited time has come.  Not everyone can win, but we are VERY excited for those of you who did!  If you see your name on this list, please contact me and I will get you your goods. :)  --- If I don't contact you first ---

Have a great day!  And thank you!

Bowling Tickets: Rosie W
Set of Nails: Maria (from Dennys)
Bobbing Cooler: Melinda O
Jewelry: Dena P
Camp Chairs: Geoff C
BSU Tickets: Shawna (from the Speedway)
Multicolor Rug: Eric H
Pink Rug: Bert G

And the grand prize winners are (drum roll please!)

Painting by Hollie Thomson: Sandi R
Quilt by Sylvia and Mary: Sue C

An Adventure

What an adventure, eh?  By the end of this week I will have raised over $1500 towards a cure for blood cancer, run more than 12 miles in one day, and made some incredible friends. With all of the distractions in life and the crazy things that seem to get in our way & occupy our time, I really believe that this is what life is all about.  What a ride.

Three more weeks! See you at the finish line!

Running and Raffling

Many of you may be wondering, "So what's up with this raffle? I thought winners were supposed to be announced by now."  And, yes, you are correct.  Winners were supposed to be announced by now.  Yet, due to some unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, we had to cancel the last Meridian Speedway fundraiser where we were going to collect the rest of the raffle tickets.

At this point, our raffle is being held entirely online.  Everything MUST GO!  (Now there's a catchy phrase, eh?)  Some of our items have brought in lots of tickets (the quilt - now there's some tough competition) and yet others haven't been spoken for at all (the full set of nails.)  If you want a good chance of winning something, there are quite a few items that have little to no ticket amounts already sold.  Just ask and I'll let you know which ones. I know, I'm just nice like that. :)

OUR FINAL DAY FOR TICKET PURCHASE IS SEPT 27TH.  This is official this time.  The due date for us to get all of our fundraising money in is Sept 28th and we still have a little over $3000 to go.  It sounds like a lot, but when you break it down, if everyone I know donated $5, the price of a meal at McDonalds, we would reach our goal in no time.  (And this money saves people's lives!)

Every donation gets raffle tickets, and if you have already donated, you are also eligible for raffle tickets.  Once again, let me know what you want and I will make sure your name goes in the bucket.

My heart is just overwhelmed with the love and support from each one of you!  I never could have known in the spring when I first decided to raise money for blood cancer how much this would come to mean to me.  I also never realized how many people would be right here with me every step of the way.  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/trees12/gordonsrunningdorksquad

Raffle Update

The date for the drawing on the raffle has been changed to Sept 2nd.  That gives all of you a little while longer to get your entries in.  Good luck!  (And thanks for your support.  We wouldn't be able to reach our $4500 goal without all of your generous donations.)

Cure Leukemia Raffle

The leukemia and lymphoma fundraising raffle is still on until August 15^th.  (Drawing will be held in the evening on August 15^th, and winners notified on the 16^th.)

The items we currently have available are as follows:

“Peace Like a River” quilt

2 BSU Football Tickets

Acrylic on Canvas

GNO Jewelry

Full Set of Nails

2 Hand Crocheted Rugs

2 Bowling Passes to Meridian Lanes

2 Camping Chairs

Floating Cooler

1969 Trophy from Meridian Speedway

25 Subscriptions to Inside Track Magazine (2012 season)

All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Some of these items have very few raffle tickets attached to them which means you could have a very good chance of winning!  (Although I am not going to tell you which ones.)

Raffle ticket prices are below:

$1 – 1 ticket

$5 – 6 tickets

$10 – 12 tickets

$20 – 25 tickets

(If you want to donate more than that, we’ll negotiate…)

To participate, just follow the link below, make a donation on our team webpage and then let me know via message what you would like your tickets applied to. (Each item gets its own ticket.)  It’s just that easy!  You have a chance to win something REALLY awesome!  And you are helping to save lives in the process.  What could be better?  I mean, really? :)

 http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/trees12/gordonsrunningdorksquad

Meridian Speedway Fundraiser

This Friday evening at the Meridian Speedway we will be holding a fundraising event. (Gates open at 4, races start at 6:30.)  We are raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of my uncle Gordon who we lost to Leukemia on March 16^th and in honor of my friend Jamie who has been fighting Leukemia for nearly a decade.  We are not just raising money, we are also training to run in the City of Trees Marathon on October 14^th.  Our goal is $4500 for our team ($1500 X 3) and we are at almost $1500 right now.  Please support us at the Speedway by buying a raffle ticket or 10.  We have some really cool items for the raffle. 

 

-        “Peace Like a River” Quilt made by Sylvia and Mary (my aunts)

-        Bowling passes donated by Angela’s parents

-        GNO jewelry donated by Debra

-        Acrylic on canvas painted and donated by Hollie

-        Coupon binder bag donated by Stylin’ Binders

-        Hand crocheted rugs made by Alicia

-        Football tickets donated by BSU (BSU vs. Colorado on Nov 17^th).   

We will also be selling bracelets at the Speedway, from $2 on up.  Some handmade, some not.

Come support us at the races.  And if you can’t make it the races, don’t worry, you can still 

participate in the raffle!  

Here’s how:  follow the link below to our team donation page and leave a donation equal to the amount of raffle tickets you would like to buy.  Then leave me a message at the bottom of this blog post telling me which items you would like to “bid” on.  We will put your name on those items, up to how many tickets you purchased.  Any questions?  Let me know! 

Help us make this a successful event, and together we can help wipe out cancer!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/trees12/gordonsrunningdorksquad

In the Name of Love

“In the name of love.  One [more] in the name of love.”  – (Cue Ewan McGregor from Moulin Rouge.)

These are the words that played through my head all morning as I ran 8.5 miles.  One more step, one more mile.  Keep moving.  Keep going.  And each moment I do one more, I do it, truly, in the name of love. 

This week we celebrate Gordon’s life and mark his passing with the placing of a beautiful headstone.  We mourn the loss of a life cut short from a terrible disease. A life filled with laughter and love.  A life filled with service and hard work.  And one never empty of family and friends.  Gordon will always be cherished and we will always be grateful for the opportunity to spend this part of the journey of life with him. 

This week we also celebrate the undaunted spirit of Jamie who has lived with leukemia for almost 10 years.  Yesterday she underwent her third Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) since her bone marrow transplant when she was 16.  She is positive that this time is the time.  This time the leukemia will be gone.  Next Friday the 27^th is Jamie’s 26^th birthday.  For her birthday, I hope she gets her birthday wish: to be cancer free!  (For my birthday last year, I got to go to Vegas.  Jamie gets to spend her birthday recovering from a DLI, in SLC, right next to the hospital. What did YOU do for your last birthday?...Kind of puts it all into perspective…)

For Jamie’s birthday, I am issuing a challenge.  I know that money is tight for so many of you. I know that times may be tough.  I also know that most of you never knew my uncle Gordon and even fewer of you know Jamie.  However, most of you, sometime in your life will face the reality of losing a loved one to cancer.  Unless we find a cure. 

So here is what I am asking.  If you have donated in the past, I ask you to donate $1 more.  If you are planning on donating in the future, I ask you to keep that goal in mind, and donate $1 now.  If you have donated time or other things, I ask you to donate $1.  And if you are struggling financially and have been supporting through the “like” button on facebook only, I ask you to find that $1 and donate it on behalf of Jamie. 

Jamie literally owes her life to Team in Training.  How many more lives will you help save with $1?  Here is my website:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/trees12/kristygriffard

 
Oh, and don’t forget to wish Jamie a happy birthday!

Cancer Warrior

Who’s my hero?  This amazing young lady named Jamie who is heading down to Utah to receive a treatment (DLI – Donor Leukocyte Infusion) for her leukemia.  The leukemia that was gone and was supposed to stay gone.  But then she decided to have a baby and so it came back.  Now she has to live for her son, Jayden.  He is a beautiful little boy.  19 months old.  And Jamie is an amazing mother.  And, really, she’d like to stay that way. 

If you met Jamie on the street, you would never know that she is dealing with a deadly cancer.  She never stops smiling.  Never stops laughing.  And people at work are donating money and PL time so that her cancer treatment won’t be such a burden on her family.  Lots of people at work didn’t even know she had cancer. 

Jamie is my inspiration for raising money for blood cancer research.  I want her to be able to raise Jayden and to see her grandkids some day.  I want that to be a reality for her and everyone else like her.  I want every person diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma or any other type of blood cancer (or really any type of cancer, period) to be able to know with a surety that their cancer has a cure and that they have a future.  That is my wish for Jamie.

My Team in Training team had a potluck this morning and we invited Jamie.  Our manager, Dan, (a lymphoma survivor) put Jamie on the spot and asked her to speak.  There was not one dry eye in the room when she was done talking.  Members of the team recommitted to work harder after hearing her story. Like I said, she’s amazing!

However, there is one thing that stood out to me the most.  Jamie said (and I am paraphrasing), “The drug that saved my life, Gleevec, was discovered using funds partially raised from the Boise chapter of Team in Training.  In essence, you guys helped bring a life into this world” (she pointed at her son Jayden) “and you saved a life from being taken out of it.”

She was only 16 when she was diagnosed and may have died without the Gleevec.  This month Jamie turns 26. My goal is to help Jamie get her cure so she can live 10 more years, then 10 more, and 10 more after that, and on and on.

Jamie’s treatment is next week and she has asked for everyone’s prayers and positive thoughts to go with her so that her bright spirit and enthusiasm for life may continue to infect all those that she comes in contact with.

And if you have an extra $5 lying around, would you consider donating to the cause so that Jamie may get her cure?  (If you have more than that, well, that would be awesome too!)

Here’s my website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/trees12/gordonsrunningdorksquad

Oh, and Jamie says thank you!