Event #6 - I Run For The Party 5k

A belated HAPPY HALLOWEEN to everyone! To celebrate, Team G Shock took to the streets for our 6th race. This time around it was the I Run For The Party 5k here in Nashville. I Run For The Party is a great organization that raises money for amazing causes through races and events.

The race was at 5:00PM on Saturday (Halloween) which brought out all kinds of fun costumes. Since we weren't so sure how well we could run in full-on costumes, we decided to go as the "TEAM G SHOCK ALL-STARS." :) And, we were lucky enough to have our good friends Jordan & Dave join us for this race (see pictures below for their costumes!). The race started on Demonbreun Street (try to pronounce that one if you're not from Nashville) and headed up to the round-a-bout and then up and back on Music Row. As many times as I've driven up Music Row, I've never noticed how hilly it is. It's amazing to run on a road that you drive on pretty often - definitely gives you a different perspective. I had a harder time with the hills than I thought I would, but as always, Nate was a great encourager all the way until the end! We crossed the finish line together and then were able to cheer on Jordan & Dave who finished just behind us! Here are the official results:

196th place - Nate Towne - 32:25

199th place - Sara Ross - 32:26

236th place - Dave Vaughn - 34:01

237th place - Jordan Moore - 34:02

After the race there was a big block party with food and drinks for everyone. We stayed for a bit, but once the sun went down it started to cool down a lot so we headed home to get warm. I want to thank Jordan & Dave for joining us for this race - it has really meant a lot to me that so many of my friends have come out to support us! And of course, I made them take a few photos, so enjoy!

Team G Shock All-Stars before the race!

This was supposed to be our "tough" face. I just look funny.

Dave & Jordan (aka H1N1) after the race!

Dave, Jordan, Nate & me after the race!

enjoying some of the festivities!

costumes, costumes, costumes..

one more for the road...

Double or Nothing?

Well, we've done it! We met our fundraising goal of $1500!! In only 4 short months, with the help of many many friends and family (and friends of friends, etc), we raised $1500. Every cent of that money is going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation to find a cure for this blasted disease! Woo hoo!

When we first set that goal, I thought it would be pretty tough to reach. But obviously, it wasn't so bad. That's when we decided that we needed something a little more challenging. As of this morning, we have officially DOUBLED our goal. That's right, doubled. So the new & improved Team G Shock fundraising goal is $3000. I KNOW we can do it, and I'm so excited for all that has and is still to come for this team.

We're also still well on our way to running the 10 races we originally set out to run! We ran our 6th race on Saturday, the I Run For The Party 5k right here in Nashville. It went well and was tons of fun, so keep an eye out for results & photos later this week!

And on a VERY happy note...I am pleased to share that my Dad is doing GREAT. Yesterday (Nov. 1) was 6 months to the day that he was diagnosed. He made it through a few hormone treatments already and 8-weeks of radiation. So far, so good. He will still continue to receive hormone treatments for a couple years, with check-ups along the way to make sure his positive progress continues. So thank you for all of your prayers and happy thoughts, and please continue to send them his way! It can't hurt, right?

Happy Halloween to Event #6!

Now that we're halfway through our goal of 10 races, its time to pick our next one! There is a race in Nashville every year that has always looked fun to me, so we decided to make that our next event. So...(drumroll please)...race #6 will be the I Run For The Party Halloween 5k right here in Nashville. This will be the 5th year of the very popular race, and should be a pretty fun time for Team G Shock. The race will be held on Saturday, Oct 31st at 5:00pm. Since its Halloween, runners are encouraged to dress in costume and there are even prizes for the best costumes and a party after the race. So if you're in Nashville, come join us for the run! Suggestions for costume ideas are welcome! :)

Event #5 - Pumpkins In The Park 5k

Well, we did it! We are halfway to our goal of 10 races for Team G Shock. Although, I have to tell you, there's a pretty good chance that we may continue well after the 10 races, so be sure to stay tuned!

Nate, myself, Mom and Dad arrived in Dunbar, WV on Friday afternoon. We were treated to some quality time with our sweet Lily before my brother Drew took me, Nate and Dad to pick up our race packets. As soon as we gave our names, I was very surprised (and pleased) to hear "oh, you're the Nashville people. I read the blog!". That was our first official random reader that we've come across and I was probably more excited than I should have been. :)

Once we got back to the house, we were treated to a delicious pasta dinner home-cooked by my sister-in-law, Jenny. We had a little more quality time with the family and then headed off to the hotel for some much needed rest. Unfortunately, my brother Geoff and his girlfriend Gabrielle couldn't leave until after work on Friday so they were driving into the early morning and we didn't see them until the morning of the big race.

The race took place in front of the Capitol building along Kanawha Boulevard in downtown Charleston. It had been raining the night before, but luckily it was just a little chilly on the morning of the race. The race began at 9:00AM and we all staggered into our own pace from the start. Gabrielle and Geoff were up front, with Dad in the middle, and me & Nate bringing up the rear (mainly because of me). The race was an up & back along the river and was a really nice course - very flat and a lot of scenery to check out. Along the way we had our cheerleaders (Drew & Mom) which was a nice motivation. Gabrielle finished first (with a new Team G Shock record!), followed by Geoff (also a new PR for Team G Shock). Next came me & Nate with our standard sprint to the finish and then my Dad finished it up for the team. Here are the official times for our racers. Thank you to Amanda with the Junior League of Charleston for getting me this info so quickly...

19th place - Gabrielle Kantrowitz - 24:18.10

23rd place - Geoff Ross - 25:02.30

74th place - Sara Ross - 31:31.74

75th place - Nate Towne - 31:31.85

82nd place - Joe Ross - 34:27.41

Oh, and just because I can, I would like to let everyone know that Gabrielle finished 1st in her age group! Our first official Team G Shock award winner! And I also just found out that Geoff placed 2nd in his, so way to go G&G!

I have to say that I am SO proud of my Dad for running the race with us. I know that it was just a 5k and he's done dozens of those, but he's never done one after 8 weeks of radiation treatment. And the fact that he was even out there with us was amazing! Also, I was pretty impressed with Geoff & Gabrielle - not only for running with us (and doing an awesome job), but for running after getting into town shortly after 3:00AM. Maybe that's what we need to do to break 30:00 - run on no sleep after a 6 hour car ride. Hmm...

Since we had our "official" photographers, I have a few more photos from the race, so enjoy!

our new Team G-Shock shirts that Mom & Dad got us!

dad, Nate & me pre-race

in front of the capitol pre-race

(Nate, me, Gabrielle, Geoff, Mom & Dad)

Nate (and me if you look close) starting out

Gabrielle crossing the finish line!

Geoff finishing up!

me & Nate (look - we're floating!)

Gabrielle, Geoff, me & Nate cheering on Dad!

take THAT prostate cancer

at the finish line :)

(Nate, me, Dad, Geoff & Gabrielle)

me & Dad post-race :)

Gabrielle getting her first place award!!

our faithful cheerleaders, Drew & Mom

and of course..the birthday girl!

Katie On The Today Show!

As I mentioned earlier, my friend Katie is in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant. She got to talk to Al Roker this morning on the Today Show to try to encourage viewers to sign up to be donors! It's not too late to sign up! Please follow this link if you'd like to become a donor and help save Katie's (or someone else's) life.

Link: http://join.marrow.org/4katie

Katie talks to Al Roker about her need for a donor - 10/15

(copyright The Today Show/NBC)

To Charleston We Go!

Tomorrow morning we are off to Charleston, WV to help celebrate my niece Lily's 1st birthday! I can't wait to see the whole family, and especially Miss Lily! And while we are there, we will be running race #5 for Team G Shock. This time around its the Pumpkins In The Park 5k in downtown Charleston. Myself, Nate & my dad are running with (hopefully) a few more members of the family.

The race is at 9:00am (eastern this time) on Saturday morning so if you're thinking of it...send a cheer our way! I'll be sure to post pictures of the weekend and the race so keep an eye out! And for a little preview...here's a picture of the birthday girl with her first taste of birthday cake. :)

A Request To Help A Friend...

My dear friend Rachel's best friend Katie has been battling Hodgkin Lymphoma for the past year and a half. I had the privilege of meeting Katie before her battle started and was thrilled to see her fight her way through it like we all knew she could. She went into remission last year, but last week was given the awful news that her cancer is back. Katie was able to donate her own stem cells to herself last year, but now is in need of stem cells from donors. Unfortunately, of the 12 million donors in the database, none are a match. We need your help! All it takes is a minute to sign up and then another minute to take a Q-tip to the inside of your cheek. Its free to sign up and you could be saving a persons life.

While Team G Shock is raising money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, we are hopeful that someday ALL cancers will be gone so that no family has to go through what our family, and Katie's family and everyone else's family has had to go through.

So please, follow this link and become a donor: http://join.marrow.org/lifesource