Despite a short training season and an even shorter fundraising season, TEAM INSPIRATION had a very successful inaugural event at the Columbia Triathlon in Ellicott City, Maryland. Our relay teams came through like pros and although this was a first time triathlon for many of our members, we raised funds for all of our partner charities including The Ulman Fund, LIVESTRONG Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, Komen for the Cure, Wounded Warrrior Project, and The War on ALS.
Thank you to all of our TEAM INSPIRATION teammates and all of our generous supporters!
Each of our teammates had a teammate they were racing and fundraising in honor of. Two of our teammates, Ben and Ryan, raced in honor of a young cancer patient named Dan. Ben and Ryan's fundraising efforts were dedicated to the Ulman Fund for Young Adults. Another one of our runners, Kellin, raced in honor of a young, wounded soldier name Ryan, who received extensive care at Shock Trauma. His fundraising efforts were dedicated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Kellin is currently at OCS and will graduate as a First Lieutenant Marine in August. Both Dan and Ryan have received reiki and other forms of integrative healing as part of their care. We hope to have both of these young men racing with TEAM INSPIRATION next season.
On the course at Columbia!
It's not too early to think about next year! Check out the Columbia Triathlon website @ www.tricolumbia.org and let us know if you want to join us next year! For more info contact roseann@teaminspiration.org.
Maryland Half Marathon - May 31, 2009
The inaugural Maryland Half Marathon held in Timonium was a huge success with a field of 2009 runners. This was a fundraising event for the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Geenebaum Cancer Center and was a wonderful opportunity for me to race and fundraise on behalf of my beloved patients.
During the post race festivities I ran into the family of a former patient who very sadly had passed away last year. His name was Matt and I had become very close to his sister who is also a runner. It was an honor to care for her brother, and I shared with her my journey two years earlier losing my brother to cancer. I could see in both of our brothers, the love and pride they had for their families: Their wives, children, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and all of their extended family and friends.
It takes an immense amount of support to get through such challenging circumstances and we cannot do it alone. The precious gift we receive, which makes the most diffficult times bearable, is the outpouring of love from so many people.
It was truly a gift to see Matt’s sister, wife, and daughter at the race. Matt’s sister Debbie ran the JFK 50 miler this year in honor of her brother who would have been celebrating his 50th birthday. I know he is extremely proud of her. I remember clearly how is eyes would sparkle when he spoke of her running accomplishments, especially the Marine Corp Marathon. But 50 miles! That’s love and inspiration at its best!
