Cake Balls for a Cause! Giveaway!!!!!

I think most people know that Katie and I are planning to run the Petco 5K9 in May and that we're fundraising for the Petco Foundation/Austin Pets Alive! along with the race.

I just found out that Cake Ball Addiction is going to offer cake balls as an incentive to donate!!! How exciting! Especially since they have the BEST cake balls in Austin! Yum!!

So here's how it will work:
Beginning at 10pm on Feb 27th the first 3 people in the Austin area to donate $50 or more to our 5K9 Run page here will get 1 dozen red velvet cake balls as a great big THANK YOU! Please make sure to put in your name on the donation page and please leave a comment here or on Katie's facebook page that you'd like the cake balls if you are one of the first 3 to donate. Cake balls don't ship well, so you have to be in the Austin area to claim the cake ball. They will be available after March 7th and I'll do my best to deliver them to you by the weekend of March 9th.


Thank you so much to the generous people at Cake Ball Addiction for making this giveaway possible!

Katie

Katie & Connor Christmas 2012

Life is shaping up to be a little different this year, and I probably won't be racing as much as usual. Since life is kind of focusing on Katie and Connor right now, I guess the blog can too.

Katie started having tiny little nosebleeds in November and then on Jan. 17th she had a major one, Jeff took her to the vet the next day and they told him nosebleeds in dogs are not normal and often are caused by major issues. We took her to the specialist on Jan 25th and after looking at her and hearing about her symptoms he told us Katie definitely has nasal cancer, they could do a CT scan to see the size and extend of the tumor. Then he said "you're looking at about 9-18 months" I said "that's without any treatment, right?" He looked at me sadly and said, "No that's WITH radiation treatment". We were devastated. We took Katie home and started reading and researching trying to figure out what to do. We decided we didn't want to do radiation (the side effects are pretty bad), and since we weren't going to do treatment there wasn't much point in doing the CT scan. We also learned that it's very normal for a dog with nasal cancer to seem perfectly healthy and happy until the very end. Katie certainly didn't seem sick, aside from the nosebleeds.

From facebook on Jan. 26th: "We found out yesterday that Katie has nasal cancer. Even with chemo/radiation the prognosis is bad (9-18 months), so I think we're going to enjoy whatever time we get with her and spoil the heck out of her. With no treatment life expectancy is about 3-6 months (but Katie will probably do better than that, she's tough). She's not in any pain and feels fine right now. So if I'm not my typical smiley self for the next few months you'll all know why, this is truly heartbreaking for both Jeff and me."

The outpouring of support from friends and family was overwhelming! I started to reframe the situation a little bit. I wanted to really appreciate and enjoy our time with Katie but that's hard to do that when you feel really sad. Plus, I think dogs are really good at picking up on how we feel and we didn't want to give Katie sad vibes. She was still our same Katie, energetic and always ready to GO! So we wanted to let her have as much fun as possible for as long as possible! It got a little easier when the medication and supplements stopped her nosebleeds (this is probably temporary, but we'll enjoy it while we can!). 

Connor and Katie used to love to run with me, but when Connor started to slow down to the point he couldn't really run anymore, I stopped taking both of them. On Feb. 1st I decided to see if Katie was still strong enough to run, Jeff kept Connor occupied and I planned to take Katie out for 1/4 to 1/2 mile if she could do it. 1 mile later we got back home and Katie was one very happy dog! So I decided to set a goal for us.

From facebook on Feb. 1st: "It's good to have a goal. Katie wanted a goal, so I told her as long as she's healthy enough and still feeling good we'll run the Petco 5K9 Run in May. Neither of my dogs have ever run a race (which is weird because they used to run with me all the time). Katie seems happy and excited about running in a race!"

WalkRunWag asked for ambassadors to promote the run in each city, I sent them our story and they said we'd make great ambassadors! Then I decided since we're ambassadors and this is my biggest goal race for the year (yes, I just said a 5K fun run is my biggest event of the year!), we should fundraise for the event, especially since the money goes to Austin Pets Alive! an awesome local organization.

So far Katie is having the best time training, and seems to be loving all the attention and fame that comes with being a WalkRunWag Ambassador! She even has her own facebook page now.

I really hope that we get to run the 5K9 Run in May, but if we don't, at least we know we've made the most of our time with Katie. 

Please know that the support of our family and friends means the world to Jeff, Connor, Katie, & me right now. We truly appreciate each and every one of you! THANK YOU!!

Hill Country Ride for AIDS

First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who donated so that I could ride! I had a great time, but more importantly, many people in the Austin area will get the help they need because of your generous donations!

I had originally planned to ride 100 miles with Shayla and Carol, but Shayla got injured and was unable to ride, so it was just Carol and I, it would be her first 100 mile ride ever-exciting! I knew we would have fun and have an awesome day, after seeing all the pit stop themes, decorated SAG vehicles, costumed riders and encouraging signs on the 70 mile route with Shayla last year. But I also knew we'd have to limit our time at pit stops since Shayla and I took over 7 hours to ride 70 miles last year and there was an official cutoff time at 4:00.

Carol and I decided to start a little earlier than the official start, so we got out to Reunion Ranch early. I got some granola for breakfast, said hi to ride director David Smith, and we got our official wristbands from Robert (Carol's husband- it pays to have volunteer connections). We took off a little after 7:00 and rode toward Andice. We knew the Andice pit stop wouldn't be open yet since we started a little early, but as we rode by Carol said "look what we're missing!" Wonder Woman and Bat Girl were setting up a table for food!

Image by Leisa Meeting Productions

We rode along enjoying the morning, but I noticed the tall grass was really bending and blowing in the wind, the wind usually picks up throughout the day, so I knew it might get really windy later! Carol and I had both forgotten to look at the forecast and just figured we'd deal with whatever came our way. After about 10 miles it was windy enough that we rode single file since we couldn't really talk anyway and we couldn't hear cars coming up behind us. We rode through the 2 mile "Ride of Silence" and thought of all the people we know who have lost loved ones to AIDS.

Carol and I with the Texas Rollergirls

I had kind of hoped that since we had started early the super fast riders wouldn't pass us until after the Bertram pit stop, but about mile 17 a couple riders passed, then just a mile or so before the pit stop I heard "ring ring ring!!" I forgot that Roger has that bell on his bike! Ron, Roger & Del rode by and said hi, we pulled into the Texas Rollergirls pit stop with them. I'm not sure I ever specifically told Carol this (and I probably should have) but I planned to limit the time at each pit stop to 10 minutes or less so we would finish before 4:00. I knew it would be a challenge since I would have to get water and anything else I needed plus thank and chat with the volunteers and other riders, take pictures, send texts to Shayla and Jeff and maybe even update facebook. Even with a restroom stop, taking pictures with the Rollergirls and talking with "Ronger" and Del, I don't think we were at the Bertram pit more than 10 minutes.

Spinnaker with the Rollergirl cutouts

We rode toward Burnet, at this point there were more hills and more wind, but also more riders and tons of beautiful wildflowers (lots of Indian blanket and yellow daisies), and encouraging signs along the way (the fun encouraging signs are one of the best parts of the HCRA!). I wish I had stopped to take pictures of flowers and signs. But I told Jeff "if I stopped to take pictures of everything I wanted along bike routes, I'd never finish a ride!" We rode into Burnet and along a quiet residential street we saw 3 chickens, Carol slowed down and they decided to run and sort of fly across the street right in front of her! The Burnet pit theme was "The Essence of Fluorescence". I'm pretty sure we were there more than my planned 10 minutes mostly because I leaned my bike against a sign post and it blew over, so I had to repack my bento box and check my derailleur before leaving.

The Essence of Fluorescence in Burnet

On the next section we got some tailwind, which felt awesome! We decided to pass by the lunch pit since it was only 10:30 and we'd pass it again after the century loop. As we rode by the Mardi Gras people in the street they seemed really sad that we weren't stopping, so I told them "we'll be back in a couple hours" they said "we'll be here! have a great ride!" All of the HCRA volunteers are super supportive and awesome! The route was pretty much the same as last year, so I had ridden all of it except for the 30 mile loop added on for the century ride. A couple miles past the lunch pit we turned onto the century loop and I was in new territory. The first few miles were tailwind and smooth road- Nice!

one of the many SAG trucks we saw during the ride

Then we turned onto a chip sealed road that was an absolute wind tunnel! We got a head/cross wind, I think the cross gusts were the worst, I felt like I was leaning into the gusts at a 45 degree angle just to stay in control! I'm sure it was only a few miles, but this road felt like forever! By the time I got to the Tattoo pit stop at mile 60, I was out of Infinit (I had more powder, but had to mix it) and ready for a break! I paid attention this time, I pulled in at 12:03, Carol was a few minutes behind me. I mixed Infinit and let a volunteer apply my peace tattoo.

my peace tattoo from the century pit stop

I didn't realize it at the time, but temporary tattoos are a badge of honor at the HCRA meaning that you did the Century Ride, since they are only offered at the century pit stop. (I found this out back at the ranch when Mike said hi to me and "I see you rode the Century today" I said, "how did you know? do I look that bad?" and he said "no! you got a tattoo! Only Century riders get tattoos..."). Carol got a tattoo and then introduced me to a couple of her former Texas Iron teammates who I had been playing tag with on that windy road. By the time I got back on my bike, it was 12:25, I had spent 22 minutes at that pit stop- oops!

SAG motorcycle Fairy seen at the century pit, his wings even flapped as he flew down the road on his motorcycle!

 Because of the way the route was laid out, I knew we'd get headwind and crosswind all the way back to the lunch pit stop. We rode with Trish and Rhonda (Carol's TxFe friends). This was pretty tough too, with some pretty significant hills and lots of rough cattleguards, and of course that wind! But it was quiet and beautiful too. I was SO happy to finally get back to the lunch Mardi Gras pit stop at mile 76! The 30 mile Century loop was tough! Carol and I ate a little food and chatted with the volunteers, then filled bottles and reapplied sunscreen. I didn't time this stop, but I bet it was 20-30 minutes. The next few miles felt great! We were back on the road I knew, we had some tailwind and as Carol said "I can handle 24 miles, that's just really not all that far".

Mardi Gras pit stop crew and a cowboy who was "not a cowboy, I'm a Village Person"

Eating in the shade with Carol and showing off my peace tattoo

At mile 87, I pulled off at the Mohomet pit stop to wait for Carol, and take a picture. We were getting close to 3:00 so I didn't want to stop for long. Carol got there, we got a picture and then she disappeared! I thought she had left already, but then I saw her bike leaned up against a building, so I hung out and talked with some of the SAG crew. She came back and told me I had missed out! They served her gatorade in a champagne glass and little cucumber tea sandwiches! aww man!!! As we got ready to leave, a SAG volunteer stopped us and said "we're getting close on time, we may need to SAG you in" Carol said she was NOT getting in a SAG vehicle and I told the volunteer, "this is her very first century ride, please let us just go" but she had to get the ok from the head of SAG, so we waited, it felt like forever (it was probably only about a minute) when the head of SAG finally came over I said "we have 13 miles to go and 1 hour, we can do that!" and she said "yeah you're fine, these guys are good to go, it's the people BEHIND them we need to start SAGing in. You girls look great, keep it up! oh and there's one more pit stop- the POPSICLE stop! You HAVE to get a popsicle!" I never turn down popsicles!

Mickey SAG crew, I told them oh you look like Mickey from sorcerer's apprentice, they said "we don't look like Mickey we ARE Mickey Mouse!"

Carol and I at mile 87!

 We took off and again I got ahead of Carol, I didn't realize it at the time, but I was feeling extra peppy (I need to figure out why and try to replicate it!) and I assume Carol was starting to get tired (who wouldn't be on a super windy century ride!), which is probably why I kept getting ahead of her without realizing it the last 30-40 miles. I got to the Popsicle stop run by the guys from the Dragon's Lair Comic Book store, I got a coconut popsicle and thanked the guys for staying out there a little longer (they had planned to close that stop at 3, and it was probably 3:15 or so by then). They said "no one expected the wind to be so brutal today" They were really nice and even posed for a picture. They also told me their customers had donated over $2400 to the ride- very cool! After Carol finished her popsicle we took off for the last 9 miles of the ride.

Guys from the Dragon's Lair Comic Book store with POPSICLES!

We hit some headwind again and I knew we wouldn't finish before 4:00. I was planning to wait and cross 183 with Carol, but police were there and they had traffic stopped for me, so I rode through the intersection then slowed down to let Carol catch up. But a SAG car came by and said "you have 7 miles to go and about 15 minutes to do it" For whatever reason that made me decide that I HAD to finish as close to 4:00 as humanly possible. I treated that last 7 miles like a time trial. It felt like I was on Pre-Race (an awesome First Endurance supplement that should only be used with extreme caution!) and the only thing that mattered was finishing as close to 4:00 as possible! All of the SAG vehicles started to pass me, driving in for the SAG parade, I couldn't believe how many there were, over 30 for sure and all decorated!

this was the Lifeguard SAG crew

Most people in the SAG cars cheered me on as they drove by. One guy leaned out his window gave me huge thumbs up and yelled "YEAH!!!" I passed 7 or 8 riders in the last few miles and as I was getting close to Reunion Ranch I tried to read a sign at the side of the road, it said "One more HILL" oh yeah, I remembered that last hill from last year! I rode into Reunion Ranch and toward the finish, I was shocked at how many people were still crowded around the finish and cheering! I stopped and got a big hug and a medal from ride director David Smith! Someone put a cold towel on my neck and I told her I loved her. Then David said "wait, did you ride the Century?" "yeah" "Wow! you are way too chipper to have just ridden 100 miles!" He was right! I don't know why, but I felt great, not tired at all, I even had trouble sleeping that night. It was 4:08 when I finished.

Carol and I at the FINISH!

I'll let Carol tell her own story of finishing her first Century ride, but I will say that it was a very, very tough day for a long ride, even Del, Ron & Roger all said it was really hard and WINDY. I am amazed at Carol's determination to finish no matter what! I am so happy that I could be part of her first Century ride! Congratulations Carol!!

Del post ride showing off his century tattoo

I stayed for dinner and the closing ceremonies and found out the total raised this year was over $585,000!!! AWESOME!!! Again, THANK YOU to everyone who helped contribute to that!

Tour de Cure

I decided to do the Tour de Cure this year. It’s a 2 day bike tour from San Antonio to San Marcos day 1 and San Marcos to Austin day 2 to raise money to help stop diabetes and further the mission of the American Diabetes Association- to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all those affected by diabetes.

Unfortunately, diabetes has had a pretty big impact on my life. I am not diabetic, but my great uncle, my grandmother, and my dad all had/have diabetes. Concern about diabetes is a big part of why I started working out and eventually doing triathlons. With such a strong family history of diabetes, a lack of exercise and/or a few extra pounds and I could easily become diabetic.

My great uncle Jim is a pretty typical example of how horrible diabetes can be. He lost his sight, then a leg and finally his life to diabetes. Uncle Jim was a big guy, I remember thinking he was a giant when I was a little kid, and he gave the most awesome rib crushing bear hugs, seriously you had to take a deep breath and get ready for an Uncle Jim Hug, but they were the best, I definitely miss Uncle Jim and his hugs.

I was very close to my Grandma Dona growing up and she had diabetes ever since I can remember (I think she was diagnosed before I was born). It never seemed like a big deal to me until one evening when I was in jr. high. I was talking with Grandma and she told me “Heather, don’t wait until you’re retired to travel and do fun things, I waited and thought your grandpa and I would travel and have fun when we retired, but now I can’t do most of the things I always wanted to do”. I don’t think I realized it until then, but my grandma had a lot of health complications from diabetes that really limited the things she could do. That conversation really got to me and at that point in jr. high I decided I would live a healthier lifestyle to try to avoid diabetes and the other health problems that affected my grandma. Grandma Dona died of heart problems and kidney failure directly related to diabetes in 2004.

My dad has had diabetes for a few years now. He has made a lot of small changes that help him control the disease, but I would so love to see him completely overhaul his diet and exercise habits and seriously kick diabetes out of his life forever, (or at least keep it under super tight control) before he has to deal with some of the long term effects of diabetes that my Uncle Jim and Grandma Dona had to deal with. I know when he puts his mind to it, he will do it (I get my stubbornness from my dad!). But I also know that lifestyle change is something every individual has to do on his/her own terms and timeline.

So in honor of my Uncle Jim, my Grandma Dona, and especially my dad, I am raising money for the American Diabetes Association and riding in the Tour de Cure on May 22 and 23. If you would like to donate you can go here. And thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far!!