Hillwork at Rancheria!

Yesterday was a busy day for the team.  We ran 3 hours of hillwork out at Rancheria.  We're getting up there in time and distance.  Training is going well...and we are having a great time together.  Only a few more weeks until the BIG day!  This experience has been AMAZING...and I am truly considering continuing with the team after my race is over!  I know I'll be as sore as can be after 26.2 miles on October 17th but, it will be well worth it to know that I have done a great thing teaching my son to "give back" and that the $ I've raised has helped someone, somewhere with their treatment!

Go TEAM!!!

Lucas

Facebook is an amazing thing!  Through a friends page, I have met a father who's son is in remission from ALL Leukemia...and I want to share his story.  This is exactly why I am doing this!  Every $ earned is a $ that could save someone's life!!!  Here is what Lucas' father, David, shared with me today...just before I headed out for a long 3 hour run with my TNT Team:


Carolyn,

Thank you from the bottom of our heart for chosing to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Your efforts are very inspiring. It is only with the love, support and generocity of others that Lucas is in remission from his Leukemia and still with us today!!! That, and he is a hell of a fighter too :)

Our so...n Lucas was diagnosed with infantile A.L.L. Leukemia on fathers day 2009 at the age of 7 months old. Today he is 21 months old and although he is still fighting the effects of the chemo, gross motor skill delay, recurring fevers and infections and imunosuppression issues... He is still Leukemia free!!! Lucas was treated at UCLA for the past year and I also thank you for running at UCLA to support the Mattel Childrens Hospital, they were and still are AMAZING people, who have been with us every step of the way, day and night!

The $$$ that goes to the research programs is real and so are the results!!! Due to the advancements in drug therapy (funded by research grants) for ALL Leukemia alone, children on average today are surviving Leukemia at around 90% vs. aprox. 50% back in the 80's...

Thanks again Carolyn for showing great c...ourage for your son and for taking on such an awesome task :)

Love the Tate Family (David, Kristel, Bradley and of course Lucas)

P.S. When Lucas is better we need to get together and start training with you too :)

David
 

So you can see...this mission is as IMPORTANT as can be!!!  May Lucas continue to get stronger and healthier every single day!

Here's a pic of my TNT after a 3 hour run this morning!  I was able to share Lucas' story with all of them!

The Scandia Run with Taylor!

This morning, Taylor and I ran the 10k Scandia Run while visiting my parents in Junction City, OR.  He finished in 55.2 minutes...ahead of my 56.4 minutes!  

Good Job, Taylor!!  I'm so proud of you! 

He wasn't one of the top 3 finishers for his age group (Boys 1-14) but, he was probably in the top 5!

Funny thing, this morning he said, "Mom,...we've run all Summer!"  I agreed and reminded him, "You've been well all Summer, too!"  Isn't that great!

Here's a picture of Taylor with my best friend, Tina, of 33 years!  He's her God-Mother and honorary Aunt!

Oregon Track Club ~ All-Comers Kids Track Meet

So,...I've shared with you my commitment to my son Taylor.  I couldn't be more sincere about what I am doing!  I'm a mommy, wanting my little boy as healthy as can be!  This past year has been tough for him...and I want to help him in anyway I can!  I don't want him ill; I don't want him questioning why he has been so sick; I don't want him to take anything for granted but, I DO want him to know, that whatever the day holds for him...and whatever HURDLES God may challenge him with...I am there for him 100%!

I am proud to say...(while I cross my fingers) that Taylor has NOT had a fever for 6 weeks now! 

Not and extreme fever of 105, not even a mild fever of 99!  It's Summer...and that may have something to do with it, but that's okay.  TIME is important...and this Summer TIME is to his benefit!

Yesterday, Taylor continued his commitment to himself.  He attended and competed with both of his brothers in the Oregon Track Club ~ All-Comers Track Meet. 

We didn't plan this event...we didn't even know about it!  Facebook is AMAZING!  Through networking and friendship, my childhood friend, Holly, shared with me this fun event since she knew we were visiting Oregon.  The boys were all for it, so we went down to the LEGENDARY Hayward Field at the U of O and signed the boys up for the meet! 

3 bucks per kid...3 events each! 

Taylor (8) competed in the Shot Put, the 100 meter dash, and the 400 meter run!

Cody (6) competed in the Shot Put, the 60 meter dash, and the 200 meter run!

Riley (4) competed in the Shot Put, the 60 meter dash, the 200 meter run, and the Long Jump!

(LOL!  Riley did 4 events because I couldn't keep him away from the sand...he wanted to jump in it!)

I hope you enjoy the pictures!  To me, they are priceless!  I am so proud of my boys! 

While my Taylor is getting better everyday, we are focusing on his health, his activity, my running, and the commitment WE have made to help kids who aren't as well. 

Today, I have raised $1336 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

I just mailed off two envelopes of donations to the Central California Chapter of LLS!

'Pretty Pedi Night' & 'Pretty Purse Raffle' ~ Oregon

Tuesday, August 3rd, I enjoyed a quaint 'Pretty Pedi Night' with some great friends!  Thank you, Lyndley, April and Tina for coming and having some good laughs, good food, and fancy toes!!!  It was a blast, ladies!

The evening started off my 'Pretty Purse Raffle' too! 

I brought some great fabrics from Strawberry Patches with me to Oregon to make a special project to raffle off!  After some thought, I decided it might make a few projects!  I hit the fabric store and found a pattern I loved.  I know, I know...I rarely use a pattern...I like to CREATE my own.  I bought a pattern though.  I mixed and matched and came up with a cute fabric combination.  Here's the result!  It's GORGEOUS!

(Forgive me the thread that needs trimmed!  LOL!)

I opened my raffle up on Facebook.  I made an event...and invited people to purchase tickets by making a donation on my fundraising page.  The girls at the 'Pretty Pedi Party' purchased tickets there.  Others have made their donations online and I have enter tickets into the bucket for them! 

So far, my biggest raffle ticket purchase is from Tom Clobes! 

$100 in raffle tickets for his wife, Mera!  Yea, Tom!!!

The winner will be drawn on Friday evening at 6:30pm!

SURPRISE!!!

Yesterday morning, I set out for my 'long' run of the week.  I've been estimating how many miles I've been running, since I don't have the Garmin personal training watch I would love to have.  I thought I had run 15 miles.  Guess what!!!  I drove my course in the evening (after my lovely Family Reunion) and I actually ran 18.7 miles!  WOW!!!  I'm proud of myself!

Guess I've been running longer than I had thought on my shorter days too...not that they are that short! 

Now, a day of rest!!! :)