First Run sort of

Yesterday was meant to be the first run for Team Challenge.  Unfortunately, the injuries in my feet still have not subsided enough and I do not want to risk injury so early in to the program.  I have instead done exercises and weight lifting to keep up my cardio and fitness level.  Saturday is the 5k day, and I plan on taking plenty of time on that race to make it to the end and without injury or pain. I am about to hit the floor and take care of some push ups and core work.

Team Challenge is an exciting program filled with great people and I look forward to the 16 week training program and raising the money that is so vital to finding a cure for Crohn's.


-Trav

And It Begins! - $85 Donated

Last night Team Challenge Nort Texas met at Sullivan's Steakhouse in Dallas and we had a blast!  We met our coaches, our mentors, and we received our Week 1 training schedules. 16 weeks until the race and raise my fundraising goal of $5,000!

Today we start running, 3 miles at an easy pace.  My feet still hurt from the Dallas Rock 'n Roll over a week ago, but I feel I can at least huff it out with some success.

This Saturday I will participating in the MDA Fun Run 5k in Houston with my family to support my cousin's husband who is suffering from cancer. 

While you are making a donation to support a cure for Crohn's (which can be done to the left on this page), please take a moment to visit the MD Anderson site and strongly consider making a donation to fight cancer as well!

MDAnderson.org/scope

Fundraising is Active!

Now you can support my drive to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis!  The donation function is directly linked to the CCFA's TeamChallenge secure fundraiser page! This page is designed for online donations only.  If you wish to contribute cash or check, please email me and I will let you know of how you can contribute to my cause.  
  
OVER 80% of EVERY $DOLLAR$ raised will directly fund the mission of CCFA (Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America).  Thank you for choosing to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis.

If you would like to learn more about Crohn's and Colitis and how it effects over 1.8 million people today, CCFA's  and TeamChallenge's website can be visited here

Dallas. rock on

This past Sunday Sarah and I competed in our first ever half marathon!  We ran the inagural Dallas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon  and I must say it was quite a road to get to it and such a feat to finish!  Labeled as a "Fast, Flat, and Fun" scenic course that took us through downtown Dallas starting at city hall and ending at Fair Park.  Training for this race was anything but normal; we both were injured for the longest time so our training schedule was not adhered to in the slightest!  Sarah injured tendons near her heels just 2 days after we signed up for the race, and I had similar injuries after my first ever 6 mile run.  Our injuries sidelined us for a month, but we were determined to finish this race. Sarah had less than two full weeks to train after she was released from the doctor and she still made it under her time goal! Sarah's mom, the running nut, raced in it too, and she was just walking around like it was no big deal in the finish area... not fair.  Sarah and I both could barely walk... I still have pains in my feet.  After eating nothing but pasta for nearly 5 days straight, we went to On the Boder after the race and I got some fajitas; basically a cow with a side of tortillas.  If it was possible, I wanted to find a true BBQ joint and just shovel as much slow cooked beef and pork products in to my gullet as humanly possible then go in to a nice food comma for a few days.

I went with Sarah and her parents to the running expo the day before the race and got our race goodies and loaded up with as much free stuff as our bags could manage, or the vendors would let us take.   Sarah and I each won a gift basket from the SAME CONTEST, valued at $137 a piece!!

Sarah and I now get the luxury of resting for a few days before the next training phase begins; my training is for the Napa Half Marathon in July!  I will be running with CCFA and also fundraising for a cure to Crohn's and Colitis!  Soon, I will have the capability to allow all the readers the ability to support my endeavour and join me in finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis.

Thank you for your support and joining me in the fight to cure Crohn's and Colitis!

-Trav

You have Crohn's

For someone with little knowledge of Crohn's, there may be swirling feelings of confusion, anxiety, confidence, etc. There may be thoughts of comparing to something fixed with a simple 30 day supply of little pills and all is better, or there may be inclinations of struggle, despair, and helplessness. Now imagine knowing a great deal about the disease and then being diagnosed yourself...

And so it is...

Welcome to my cubby of the internet.  Here I hope to track the progress of my life and endeavours from now until July 18,2010, Race Day for the Napa Half Marathon.

To family, friends new and old, HOWDY! My name is Travis, and I am a runner with Cronh's.  I have made a pledge to myself, my loved ones, and everyone else with this debilitating disease to raise money for a cure and to train and compete in the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon!

With this is blog, I will track my days from now until Race Day and hopefully beyond.  I will document my good days and bad days, my triumphs and obstacles, fortune and disarry.  I hope this will shed light on a relatively unknown disease, raise awareness to what Crohn's can do, and possibly encourage someone to strap on their tennis shoes and make a great life change!