May 6th, Sunday

Hi all of you faithful followers!  Today was a good day on the road.  Perfect weather conditions, a challenging course, and my heart filled with love from my friends, family, & above!  I managed my second best time at the 1/2 marathon distance, 1:56:53, & that was with 2 substantial hills!  I didn't outrun a cheetah but I did come in 37th in my age group, that's a PR for me!

Ran into a Dons Alum about mile 7, Dan Drobnicki, and helped him break 2:00 on his 22nd birthday & his 1st ever 1/2!  Great job Dan!

 This is from the Hot Chocolate 15 K again but this is how I felt today!  Felt good to break 2:00 again!

When I run a race like this, my mind goes many places.  It is obviously focused on my parents a lot of the time but there are many other sources of inspiration I use as well.

Derek "D-Rock" Thomas, who was give a 1% chance of survival after being badly burned in an accident.  That was barely 20 months ago and he is now riding his bike all over southern CA, taking college classes & living!

Next is a young lady who I just saw last night at the CCHS Prom.  Her name is Tehya.  She has a severe form of spina bifida and has just recovered from her 4th surgery on her spine.  She is one of the most upbeat students at our school, always has a smile on her face, & is always looking to help others when she by all rights should be worrying about her own care!

Our angels are next, Natalie & Amanda.  They were lost to us in the same accident that almost took Derek from us.  I know that they were there today, helping me along, pushing, pulling, kicking me in the butt, whatever it takes!  Today, they helped me help another runner get to his goal!  (I made this shirt for the AFC that I ran the week after the accident and I wore it today too!)

These are just some of the people that run through my head as I run these many miles.  I can only hope that I can do good things for you, my students, my family, and all those that have cancer and Parkinson's!

Lastly, my partners in these last 600 or so miles are going to be leaving me.  Yes, it's time to change my shoes!  So here is their last hurrah, with the last medal they earned and they will be on the net for all to see!  Good work Nimbus 12's!

That's all for now!  Please keep spreading the word anyway you can, send some comments here, via FB, email, text, I don't care but I need to keep up the momentum!  And, of course, if you can, donate.  I'm working on an event this summer so as soon as I have a date, I will let you know and if anyone is interested in helping in anyway, please let me know.  Take care!

Total Miles:  729.09  Pace Runner:  698.15   + 30.94

Love to you Mom & Dad!