September 30, 2012

Who’s got time for cancer?  Training for the half marathon and fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a full time job!!!!!  (but one I am ever grateful to have!)  

For example:  

On Thursday of this week, I took an hour off work mid-day and went to the LLS San Diego Chapter office to pick up a propane griddle for a Pancake Feed Fundraiser that Team IPA will be hosting next Saturday after the workout. 

Friday was an excursion to Lightning Brewery in Poway to pick up a fabulous haul of swag that owner Jim Crute generously donated to Team IPA for the Brewery Tour Fundraiser we’ll be hosting in November.

A small sampling of Lightning Brewery's award-winning brews.

 

Jim Crute, owner of Lightning Brewery, alongside a very grateful recipient
of his generosity, smack dab in the middle of the brewing operation. 
The scent in there was heavenly!
 

Saturday it was back up to Poway for our longest Team In Training session yet, 5 miles.  Uphill.  Both ways.  OK, I made up that last part.  But the uphill portion was ass-kicking – that’s why I indulged in my newest post-session obsession: a big-ass breakfast burrito from Nando’s in Lemon Grove.

 

Eggs, ham, potatoes, and cheese, all swaddled in a perfectly grilled tortilla. Damn!

 

Today was spent shopping for supplies for the Pancake Feed: mix, butter, syrup, plates, utensils.  

 

The highlight of the week, however, was being presented the weekly Spirit Award at Saturday’s workout session by an amazing woman, TNT Mentor and teammate - Carmel.  Her words were based on the Beatles’ song, “Here Comes the Sun,” and reduced me (and several others) to a crying mess.  From the moment I met her at the first session, I knew she was someone I would form a great bond with.  She has a huge heart and a wonderful soul and is always smiling, and the abundance of positive energy that comes from her is amazing.

 

"Here Comes the Sun"

 

The weekly Spirit Award is a classic Team In Training jacket that is passed to each recipient.
Before being passed to the next, inspirational words are penned on flowing ribbons.

Motivation.

 

Cancer hasn’t taken anything from me.  On the contrary, I’ve been gifted with so freaking much since diagnosis: 

• Treasured time with Amanda.
• More time with wonderful friends.
• A healthier diet.
• A more fit lifestyle.
• The opportunity to tangibly help others affected with blood cancers.
• Training for a half-marathon for gosh sakes (that one was never even CLOSE to being on my radar).
• And having remarkable people come into my life that I would have never met otherwise.  

Lymphoma can try its hardest to inflict fear and uncertainty and unhappiness on me, but that just ain’t gonna happen.  How can it, when I’m surrounded by so much GOOD?

 

As busy as this week has been, I still found time to indulge in a bit of
retail therapy and add to my collection of good juju amulets.  A new
pillow in my power color yellow serves as a comfy affirmation.