AM I A FIREMAN YET?

My Team in Training teammate, Melissa posted this on Facebook, and I thought it was worth sharing:

In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26 year-old mother stared down at her 6 year-old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia..
... Although her heart was filled with sadness, She also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now, that was no longer possible..

The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true..

She took her son' s hand and asked, 'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?'

Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up.'

Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true.'

Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix !

She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards!

And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'

'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix , so we can get them fast.'

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.

There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, And even the fire chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the Local news program.

Having his dream come true, With all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone - began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and
Asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor?

When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire?'

'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?'

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.
With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,

'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'

'Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said, 'I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and
The angels have been singing.'

He closed his eyes one last time.

My instructions were to send this to at least four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you.

Alaska Bound & Looking Back Over the Last Couple Week...

A couple days away from flying to Anchorage with a dozen or so teammates from Team in Training. Then, this Saturday I run my 14th marathon on my 50th birthday!  8 or 9 miles of the run will be along rocky trails. Hopefully I'll catch a glimpse of some wildlife. I may even slow down long enough to take some pictures. I hear there are bald eagles, moose, and a few years ago there was a "bear scare" (a bear was spotted sitting up in a tree) - one of the many race spectators!    

Looking back to the previous weekend, I got to hang out with all my teammates, who I spent the last 5 month with, most of whom were training this season for the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon. Pictured below is my coach, Ronnie, decked out as a cross between Rick James and Stevie Wonder, at the Inspiration Pasta Dinner. My training schedule for Alaska called for me to run 12 miles that weekend, so I signed up and ran the Rock & Roll Half Marathon (13.1 miles).

Words To Run By...

Isaiah 40:31: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Getting ready for Alaska...

Saturday was our longest training run for the Anchorage Marathon. We ran 20 miles, a mix of streets and rocky trails. Our Team in Training coach, Bill, set up this run to simulate the conditions of the Alaska Marathon. I have to say that it was a fun 20 miles. This was the 2nd 20-miler that I had done in the past 2 weeks. I went ahead and ran the 20-mile training run with my team that's doing the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon next weekend. In fact I signed up for the half-marathon as sort of a warmup run for Alaska. Plus it gives me a chance to run with the rest of my team that I have spent the last 5 months with. I plan on running the 13.1 miles next Sunday, then backtracking to run in some of my teammates who are experiencing their very first endurance run. I still remember my first time, and the feeling of crossing the finish line, but I also remember the coaches and captains who ran alongside me during the big run. This year was my first time as a Team In Training Captain, and I'll always remember the great times I had this season.

Roller Skating For a Cure 4/28/11

Last night's roller skating party was a blast!  a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to support me. It means a lot. I hope to have a 2nd Annual Skating Party this time next year.

Good Morning!

After last week's 17-mile hilly run in the heat, we enjoyed a back-down week today. It was flat, cool, and only 11 miles. We started our run at the Hilton Bayfront, near the Convention Center, headed down along the harbor, around Harbor Island and back again.

A couple years ago, Runner's World magazine did a survey where they asked runners if they acknowledge other runners with a friendly gesture or a "good morning". A majority of those surveyed said they avoided making eye contact or recognizing runners that passed by them. Today, I saw it firsthand. There were two other big running groups training in the area. Many of them passed by without even looking up. I don't always expect a verbal greeting, because let's face it, sometimes people are running too hard to even get a word out between breathes, but a simple nod or wave is good enough.

I told a couple of my teammates about the magazine survey, and we started noticing what they said was true. For the rest of our run, we went out of our way to say "good morning" or at least wave or a nod. I think we broke the ice and our informal survey fared better than the magazine, with more than half of the runners passing us returning the greeting. Give it try the next time you're out there.

Back to the Beginning...

Last weekend, my TNT Green Team met at Movin' Shoes in La Mesa. This is always one of my favorite training runs, because it includes Lake Murray, the place where I "learned" how to run.  Back then, I could only run about 2 miles around the lake, then I would stop and walk back. A friend of mine kept pushing me to go farther, until one day I was able to do the 6 miles out and back along the lake. The rest is history, as I train now for my 14th marathon.

Anyway, This wasn't everyone's favorite run on Saturday. The 17-mile course was 2 loops down Lake Murray Boulevard, along Lake Murray, then out around the very hilly streets of San Carlos, and to make it interesting, temperatures were in the mid-80's with lots of sun. Despite that, the entire team pushed through it, and will be that much more ready for the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon (or Anchorage) in June.

Be Prepared...

It's not just for the Boy Scout anymore.

It should be every runner's motto. We all have busy lives, and finding time to train for a marathon can be a challenge. The easy part for me is meeting with my team on Saturday mornings for our long training sessions. Outside of that, I have a job, a family, and other stuff to do during the week, so I'm always looking for times to squeeze in an extra run or two.

Yesterday, I had to take my daughter to the dentist. Then I had to drop her back off at school for a Girl Scout meeting. Wait!  That gives me almost 2 hours before I pick the kids up...time for a run!  Doh...where are my running clothes?  I was wearing my new running shoes that day, trying to break them in. I found an old t-shirt and hat in my truck, I could roll down my long white socks, but what about shorts!  The nearest store was a Burlington Coat Factory.

I ran in, grabbed a pair of $8 workout shorts (more like boxing shorts, than running shorts) off the rack and was on my way to Mission Bay. I headed out from the "runner's bathrooms" - the place with the rack of  running event flyers. I wasn't on the Blackwell best-dressed list for runners, but I was able to run 6-miles. Next time- I'll be carrying emergency running clothes with me, so I will be prepared!

The Calm After the Storm...

This morning, I arrived around 6am at Shelter Island and it was pouring down rain. I came prepared with a heavy rain jacket to wear before the run, and one of those clear plastic rain ponchos to run in. As we gather our team together to go over the map for our 15 mile run and stretch out, the rain stopped and a double-rainbow appeared. By the time we hit the streets, the clouds gave way to blue skies.

Catching Up

I'm finally getting around to posting what's been happening for the past 2 weeks in running. 2 weeks ago, we had our Honored Teammate Picnic. After running 10 miles, we headed back to Paradise Point for a picnic with both of our teams, plus some special guests - our honored teammates. These people are blood cancer survivors, or they're still in the process of fighting the battle. They shared their stories and continue to motivate and inspire us to train.

The youngest of our honored teammates is Angel. He's only 2 1/2 years old and he's undergoing chemotherapy for ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). Angel's parents and friends Mark and Kyle on part of Team in Training, and make up the team, Angel Jr.'s Soldiers, who are running in Angel's honor. 

Then, this past Saturday we took part in an annual Team in Training tradition, called the World Famous Trolley Run. We hop on the trolley near USD, rode it to the downtown train station, then ran a 14-mile route back to the trolley station. On Sunday, I headed to Big Bear with my family for a day of skiing. Then, yesterday I went for a run with my friend and teammate, Amanda, at Santee Lakes. Whew!  Time to take a break from exercise for a few days.

Train, Endure, Achieve, Matter

Train, Endure, Achieve, Matter...it may sound a little corny, but it's a good reminder why I spend my Saturday mornings with Team in Training. I get questions like "isn't it hard asking people for money?" or "why do you do it?".  Those are fair questions. I don't have a close family member affected by blood cancer, but I lost a co-worker to lymphoma years ago and it impacted me for a long time. 

O.J Lawrence was the afternoon DJ on KyXy for a long time. He worked until a few days before he lost his battle with blood cancer. He kept a positive attitude and a smile right up until the end. 

Around that time, I started running marathons with a few friends and I saw the "purple people" out on the race course, and all of their supporters. I kept thinking "I want some of that"!  A few years later I was asked to join Team in Training, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and talk about my experiences on the radio. That first season changed my life, I felt "called" to do this, and I became a believer in the cause...to help people, including a lot of kids, with leukemia and lymphoma. I met these people face-to-face at the beginning of our Saturday runs. And I ran alongside people who had battled blood cancer, and parents who were running for their kids with blood cancer. 

Last year, my friend Barbara, who has supported me since my first season with TNT, found out her husband John had lymphoma.  He went through 7 rounds of chemotherapy and spent a lot of time in the hospital. He's doing well, but has to wait 8 years before his doctor will give him a clean bill of health.

This year, I received a donation from my old teammate Adrienne, whose 3-year old niece Hannah has been fighting leukemia. Fortunately, she has about a 90-percent chance of beating it. Most of us already have, or will have a connection with blood cancer. There are a lot of new drugs that have been developed to treat leukemia & lymphoma, some right here at Scripps in La Jolla, but not a cure..yet.

I run because I'm thankful for my health and the health of my family. So when I'm asking for donations, it not for me - it's for those families that aren't so lucky, that need help going through treatment and hopefully beating their cancer, and eventually finding a cure.  

Running 26.2 miles may sound like a long run to some people, but it's a heck of a lot easier than going through cancer treatment, and the side affect for me is that I've never been in better condition. I'm in good shape, have lots of energy (which I sometimes need to keep up with my kids), and this year I turn 50!  I don't feel like 50. As far as I'm concerned, as long as I'm running marathons, 50 is the new 35!!!

This year is my 8th season with TNT, this will be my 14th marathon, and I'll be running it in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 18th -- ON MY 50TH BIRTHDAY!  I'll be celebrating my 50 years of good health, and I'll be doing my small part to help others make it to their 50th.  Please help me make this one count.

 

The La Jolla of East County...

Yes, I'm talking about Santee!  I think I read the "La Jolla" reference in a Chamber of Commerce article. 

Anyway, starting this Monday (3/21), I'll be leading a run, along with Team in Training teammate & mentor, Amanda at Santee Lakes. We'll meet at the ticket booth (pictured) at 5:15pm.  To avoid paying the $3.00 to park, you can park on Camino Del Lago (off Fanita Parkway) and walk across the street to the lake. You'll see a silver bridge leading down to the ticket booth (pictured ).  You don't need to be part of Team in Training to join our run. Everyone is welcome. There's a 2-mile and 3-mile loop, and it can be stretched out to 4 miles. If you've never been to Santee Lakes, it's a nice peaceful area. They have great fishing, playgrounds for the kids, places to picnic, a "Sprayground" (see picture), a campground, and coming next month, floating cabins that you can rent overnight (pictured).  Directions: take the Mast Boulevard exit off Highway 52. Go east on Mast, right on Fanita Parkway. Santee Lakes is on the right.

It Was a Jungle Out There!

Yesterday, I ran the 1st annual Safari Park (aka Wild Animal Park) Half Marathon. Most of the challenges didn't happen during the race. Heavy traffic and parking was a big challenge, and honestly there's probably not a good answer. When you're trying to funnel thousands of people down narrow back roads in the dark all at once, things are bound to get crazy. Once I got off the freeway, I sat in traffic for 45 minutes, and it was worse if you didn't take the 6:45am deadline seriously!

There were a lot of people who didn't make it by the time the roads closed down for the run, so they had to park several miles away and walk to the start line. Once parked and at the start line, things were very smooth. The course had a lot more hills than I realized, but I took the uphills and downhills slow so I wouldn't burn out my legs. I ended up finishing at 2:05, which was the same time I had for the Disneyland Half Marathon in September (which was completely flat), so I was satisfied with my time. The race organizer promised a lot of animal sightings along the way, and the announcer even told us not to bother listening to our iPods, because we would hear animal noises throughout the race. The only thing I saw were some cows along the road (outside the Safari Park), and a couple of hippos near the finish line. Of course, we were allowed to stay in the park after the run.

Week #7 - Warming Up for the Safari Park Half Marathon

Today's run started at Henry's Marketplace in Pacific Beach. They set up a tent in their parking lot, gave us a brief talk about nutrition before our run, then they set up some food & coffee for us for after the run. I was supposed to do 12 miles today, but I'm running the Safari Park Half Marathon tomorrow, so today I only ran 6 miles. I took my time doing it too. I was able to run alongside a lot of people I haven't run with very much, and it was a blast. I'm looking forward to running through the Wild Animal Park tomorrow. I hope the animals are well fed!

Alaska Baby!

I continue to train for my next marathon through Team in Training, which is part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm doing this to make a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families.

This year is a little different - I TURN 50! --and you can help me celebrate my birthday and help others at the same time. I'm training for the Anchorage Marathon on June 18th, which happens to fall exactly on my 50th birthday!

I'm thinking that instead of having a big birthday party, where everyone reminds me of how OLD I am, showering me with gifts of Ex-Lax and Depends, I can be running 26.2 miles through the Alaskan wilderness!

I CAN ONLY DO IT WITH YOUR HELP. Your generous donations can help me celebrate my 50th in a big way. Please consider a donation to this very worthwhile cause. Cancer affects everyone. You are not giving the money to me - you're giving a gift to people who are fighting for their lives.

Week #6 - Running to the Finish Line

 It was nice running in the warm sunshine that we come to expect in San Diego any time of the year. Especially after running in the rain the past 2 weeks.

Yesterday, we ran 11 miles, heading along parts of last year's Rock & Roll Marathon course. We started near the boat ramp between Fiesta Island and Sea World (which was last year's finish line), then finished our run, heading down the bike path leading back to the boat ramp/finish line. The only thing missing was the hundreds of cheering spectators!

Week #5 - Team in tRaining

The weather channel was predicting that today would pour, and we'd have record cold temperatures. I don't know if it was that bad, but it sure didn't stop the more than 40 athletes from the TNT Green Team from meeting at UCSD for our 8-mile run. Hey, once you're wet, you don't even notice it much!  Here's a pic of 2 of my mentees, Sherry & Ana at the end of our run. Not even the rain could wash the smiles off their faces.

Wednesday Night Happy Hour

Besides our long Saturday runs with Team in Training, there's always one weekday run I can count  on...Wednesdays @ 6pm in Balboa Park.

We meet in front of the Kate Session Statue, near 6th & Laurel. On any given Wednesday (rain or shine) you will always see a group of people waiting there to run (or walk).

Last night was a great turnout - 37 people show up, which meant that everyone had somebody to run with that was their speed.

I had an interesting moment just before the run started. A lady who I thought was there for our run, came up to me and I greeted her as if she were part of our group. She asked me what the name of our running group was. When I told her "Team in Training" - she had never heard of us.  I went on to explain that we raise money to fight leukemia and lymphoma. It turns out that she works in a lab that does leukemia research. We can't assume that everyone know what were about. She wanted to know more, so I gave her our website address. Hopefully, she'll get more involved, and who knows - maybe she'll be running with us next Wednesday!

Week #4 - Never Give Up Hope!

Yesterday, I headed to the team's Saturday run at Spanish Landing expecting to face strong winds and heavy rain. We had a similar run this time last year, where we had rain blowing at us sideways.  I was glad to see that most of our team showed up, and even better that the "storm" turned out to be a few drops here and there. By the time I had reached 10 miles, the sky had cleared (I stopped near the end of the run to take this picture). The sky looked a lot different than when I first arrived at 6:30am.

Before our run, We had Dr. Chad Wells there to talk about injury prevention. I didn't have a lot of faith in chiropractors until I went to Dr. Chad to help straighten out a couple of running injuries. He has worked on more local runners than anyone else.You can find our more about him at The League Chiropractic website.

We also had a chance to hear from our honored teammate, Caleb, who has been battling Leukemia on and off for over 10 years. One of those times, the doctor had sent him home, telling him there was nothing else they could do for him. Caleb's message is to "NEVER GIVE UP HOPE". Now, Caleb and his family have joined Team in Training. He is a constant reminder and inspiration for us as we train for our long runs. You can read more about him HERE.