Countdown: 91 Days

I'm baaaack! Training is in motion again for my next Team in Training event. I actually started in November, and lost a little ground in January due to schedule conflicts, but I'm back on track!

In 91 days I'll be running the Cellcom Green Bay half marathon as a Team in Training alumni. This year my fundraising goal is $1,000. Piece o' cake, right?

This time I have to up the physical ante too. As my third event, my goal is to get faster this year and finish in 3 hours or less. Last year I was at 3:33 and that was with San Francisco hills. So, I SHOULD be able to do this, right? :) My second goal --and I'm really throwing this on the table for everyone to hold me to it--I need to lose more weight. Between my first and second event, I lost bout 30 pounds. It certainly helped me in SF to be lighter on my feet. But, me ars is still too big for my liking SO I want to lose at least 25 pounds by May 16. More would be lovely. :)

And, as the blog says, I'm running in honor of my awesome dad, Bruce. His attitude is inspiring --always cracking jokes and living it up in AZ. At his check up last June, all reports were good. Since he has CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia), it's likely he'll face another round of chemotheraphy at some time. But, he stays positive.

Someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 10 minutes. That is astonishing to me. As slow and NOT graceful as I am, I still run to hopefully rid the world of blood cancers some day.

And, you can help! Donate online at my fundraising page before May 1, 2010. Your donation is tax deductible AND you'll just be super awesome forever and ever because you helped save lives and fight cancer. Check it out at http://wi.tnt.llsevent.org/Vik

I made it!

Shame on me for not updating in so long!

Well, the race was AMAZING! it was Oct 18 in San Francisco and I loved it. Something clicked in me too - which is really exciting. Even though this was my second race, it was THIS time that something clicked and I now have a real passion for running. I'm addicted! I did well in SF too - I was pretty happy with it. I wanted to run it in under 3 hours, since I was at 3:54:00 last time. I was at 3:33 this time and I was happy with it since the hills were MAJOR. Without the hills, I would've been under 3 no problem. There's no way for us Green Bay peeps to train for SF hills, unless we flew to SF every month. LOL.

More importantly, the TNT delegation was huge. Wisconsin runners raised more than $100,000 in SF, and overall, TNT has raised more than $14 billion. I love being part of such a great organization and knowing that I'm doing something to make a difference in someone's life.

I've heard from many people during my time with TNT but what many people don't know is that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society helps patients with expenses. Many organizations strictly focus on funding research -which is also a huge part of LLS's mission. But, in addition to that, LLS also helps people by reducing the stress they are feeling so they don't have to worry so much about the expense.

I can understand that so well. My dad doesn't have to worry about the expense. Every cent of his treatment and medication is covered by the VA hospital since it's believed his disease is likely due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Because of this, he never has to think twice about going to the doctor for a check-up. He doesn't have to worry where the money will come from for insurance or tests. That's a freedom few people facing cancer can realize. But, LLS gives people that freedom. We heard from a 23 year old woman who at 9 years old learned her mom had Hodgkins Lymphoma. At 19, she found out her dad also had Hodgkins. Fortunately, both her mom and dad are survivors today. But that's not the end-- at 22 she found out she had non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. As a new college graduate, she was paying her own insurance premiums. But, after applying for assistance through LLS, she received a check in the mail for $1,000 -enough to cover her insurance premiums --allowing her to focus on treatment and getting well, not worrying about how to pay for her insurance.

Obviously, LLS and TNT makes a huge impact on me. More importantly, it makes an impact on thousands and thousands of people who look to LLS for research, clinical trials, grants and emotional support.

I look forward to participating in my next TNT event --fall 2010. Thank you for your support through all the training and fundraising.

Rummage Sale Sun Aug 30

Having my final rummage sale on Sun Aug 30 from 9am-2pm. Still have lots of good stuff to move, including home decor, clothes, furniture, household items, man stuff. Stuff galore!

Once again, the proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Woo hoo!

If everything comes in as planned/expected, I'm at $4094 of the $4100 goal. I'll pass that fo sho! I'd sure love to raise more for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 75% of every dollar raised goes toward research!

I'm also very excited that my son is going to join me in San Francisco. We leave on his golden birthday -the big sweet 16. It'll be a great time. He's never been to SF and I'd really love for him to experience the whole TNT event. Sure it's going to be his birthday AND Christmas present, but it's worth it. It all worked out so he can travel with the friend of a fellow teammate, and stay in my room (I pay half then.) I found a flight for only $160! It has to go on a credit card for now but it's worth it!

Busy Busy Busy

Like the pic? That's my rainbow cake to match my rainbow hair. Gotta coordinate.

Hey everyone. I'm on "vacation," so they say. Ha ha. I've been working on the fundraiser pretty much nonstop. Sent out 40+ letters yesterday to family and contacts for donations and thank yous. Oi. That took a while. Then, distributed donation jars around town. Big KUDOS to the BP stations. They are so supportive.

Distributed flyers in a few neighborhoods yesterday. I so hope that doesn't upset anyone. If you received a flyer, please know it's all good intentions! I'm doing anything and everything I can to raise the $4,100.

Today, called 45 buinesses to follow up on a letter I sent. I'm on a big drive to get 10 businesses to donate $200 each. Sounds easy --but in this economy, it's harder than you think. Talked to many nice people today, and many lovely voice mail boxes. I see follow up calls in my future. :)

Next: more flyering and rummage sale sorting and pricing.

Gotta add: Multimedia Communications and Engineering is a really classy company. Seriously. They are doing a construction project on my block this week and next. Oops - right around my fundraiser sale. I called the hotline and a guy came right out to meet with me. Next, comes the project leader. They found a way to work around my entire block so they are done and gone before my sale my Friday. Is that cool or what? They were so supportive of the fundraiser and didn't want to deter traffic. Big thanks to them!

Donate online at http://pages.teamintraining.org/wi/nikesf09/vbaumler .

Billboard from Jones Sign

Check out my billboard from Jones Sign. They are awesome. Thanks Jones Sign! Keep an eye open for it on Hwy 172 and Oneida. :)

It's baking day!

I'll be baking up a storm this afternoon and tonight for the Pride Alive fundraising booth. I hope to raise at least $500. :) Can I do it? I'll let you know by Sunday!

Come check out Pride Alive too. www.newpride.org - great booths, great music, great food --tons o' fun. It's 11-10pm at Joannes Park - plus there are a bunch of activities going on all week, including a 5K run, a drag show, legal booths, an art gallery. Check out the web site for more details.

:)
Vik