Living STRONG for Cancer

First, thanks to all of you for your creative and thoughtful suggestions on "The Bright Side" of not running. I didn't realize how much time and money I could save by giving it up! Still, I just can't help it...I've gotta get out there. Training has gone well lately, though the snow has forced me onto the hated treadmill a few times. I'm up in the 6 - 7 mile range, and averaging sub-8...not where I was before surgery, but getting there.

It's been a while since my last update -- I've had the time to blog since I've been at home recovering, but have spent most of my blog time setting up this year's fundraising effort. This has been a momentous year for me -- in the past twelve months, I've had three surgeries, 42 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and six weeks of IV infusions for immunotherapy. I figured a record-breaking year should be followed by a record-breaking fundraiser. So, I'm overjoyed to announce: TEAM MICHAEL MOYLES!

After a suggestion from my brother-in-law

CJ, we contacted the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and worked with them for a couple weeks to set up a LiveSTRONG team and arrange a major fundraiser. This is by far my largest effort yet -- so far, this Team consists of eight runners and at least nine different races, every race and every runner raising money to find a cure for cancer. I am so incredibly excited about this effort! So, why not shoot for the stars? I decided to aim high and try to raise a whopping ten grand by the end of the year...with over $1,000 raised in just our first week, we're well on our way, but still have quite a ways to go. That said, we've just scratched the surface of the potential this team may have...CJ, a brilliant graphic design artist, has taken it upon himself to design everything from our webpage to our team logo, t-shirts, coffee mugs, the works...being the geek that I am, I've taken over the Team Michael Moyles website, our Facebook group, and fundraising mechanics, using his logos and advertising materials. So far, it's a perfect match, and we're both very happy. Here are a few samples...what do you think?

We're not ready to "go live" with everything yet (the full website, products, etc), but the fundraiser is already up and running (you can use the Team Michael Moyles link above). I think just about everyone who regularly checks my blog is also a Facebook friend and/or on my e-mail distribution list, but in case you aren't -- check the page, and if you're inspired, make a donation! I don't think you'll find a better cause.

Can we do it? $10,000 in a year? I think so, with your help. I'm off to recover from my root canal/crown excavation this morning...and what better way that with a nice long run?