Full Timers...

We never would have thought replying to a piece of mail would turn into a full time job, but it has. Ginger spends her days: writing thank you cards to donors and running them out to the mail box, thinking about everything we put into our fuel tanks (mouth) including enough water, training Tues and Thurs nights when Darrel get home from work, making connections for fundraising activities like the two this Saturday ( $1 to put your name in a drawing for a bottle of fingernail polish the color for Team in Training. and our fundraiser at the local Tacos y Salsas restraunt. The best Mexican food we've been able to find. Come out and have a meal and donate to the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society to fight cancer and help families. If you're not able to come out or you live too far away, you can still donate via the website below or via snailmail. (Multiple donations gladly excepted!!!)

We participated in our first event last Saturday. It was called Heros for Children in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We walked/ran a 5k. It was so much fun. We loved cheering people on at the finish line. We are getting use to waking up on Saturdays at 5am. It's really such a small price to pay in the big picture.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your prayers. Following the direction of our great coaches Ginger went to the doctor to get checked, the doctor did x-rays and blood work. Everything came out good. She then went to a chiropractor for all the pain she's been in. She said her brain and body are not connected. Hmmm she never expected that news. :) Anyway Tuesday nights 4 mile workout went much better. Darrel needs prayer for his knees also.

We have been super blessed these past weeks by your generous giving. Our fundraising has risen to 65% of our goal. We know the deadline is approaching quickly but we have no doubt God will provide through you.

We are inspired my many but when in comes down to the pain we run for TOM, VIVIAN and JUNE. It is our honor to do this for you. Saving a life one mile at a time.

We are raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and we're asking you to help by making a donation to our fundraising campaign.

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about our progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and we will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/Whiterck11/brooksruntherace

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. We are hoping that our participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. We greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you,

Darrel & Ginger Brooks

P.S. We would appreciate it if you would forward this email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again.

First 5K

Last Saturday was our first 5K...actually our first race of any kind. It was good practice pinning on our numbers putting the timing chip on our shoes and all the excitement of the race. It was also a great cause "Heroes for Children" (Organized the race) benefits children diagnosed with cancer and supports the families of the patients.

This was the firstbopportunity I had to actually run any distance since I twisted my knee several weeks ago. Ginger was also able to run short distances as she battled through her knee and IT Band issues.

We may not have had the best times but we DID finish and that was pretty awesome to me!!!

Week 5

Here are a few numbers we want to share with you: (5) The number of weeks we have been in training for this 26.2 mile marathon, (6) The number of miles we trained last Saturday, (28) The number of days until our recommitment~ most of our fundraising needs to be done, (45) The percentage we are at as a couple in our fundraising, (74) The number of days before we wake up (if we sleep at all), pin on our number bibs, shoe mile/time timer thingies and walk/run 26.2 miles. (1) The number of days it takes to help make a difference in a family's life.

We have several things we say out loud during training through the pain. (1) Come on Ginger, (2) Jesus help me, (3) Mamasita (4) It's not cancer and it's not chemo, (5) Tom, Vivian, & June this is for all of you.

We are so humbled and blessed by all your generosity. It deeply touches our hearts and we are very thankful. We also feel your prayers and know that we cannot even begin this without them. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!


We are raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as participants in their Team In Training program and we are asking you to help by making a donation to our team fundraising campaign.

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/Whiterck11/brooksruntherace

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you,

Darrel and Ginger Brooks

P.S. We would appreciate if you would forward this to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again.

Week 5--->Now 6 miles

This Thursday we decided to work on our walking pace and not run for now to give our knees some extra recovery time. This will also keep us from further injuries while our knees heal.

Saturday was our first 6 mile work out. We had a great recovery only taking a few hours instead of all day long like last week.

Here are our numbers:

Thursday 9/15/11:
Calories .................553
Total Distance .......3.00 miles
Ave. Speed ............3.51 mph
Ave. Pace ..............17:03
Duration .................51:16


Saturday 9/18/11:
Calories ...................853
Total Distance .........6.31 miles
Ave. Speed ..............3.47 mph
Ave. Pace ................17:14
Duration ....................1:48:55

We are still plugging away at our fundraising goals but still have a long way to go, please consider giving to this worthy cause! Together we can help beat cancer!!!

3 Mile Walking Wounded

Today we planned on a 3 mile run...We ended up on a 3 mile limp. Our knees hurt so much on the few bursts of running we decided just to walk and log the miles rather than risk more injury. Our new goal became finish the 3 miles no matter how long it took.

Here's the numbers:
Total Distance.............3.0 Miles
Ave. Speed.................3.27 mph
Calories Burned...........553
Ave. Pace....................18:19
Total Time....................55:05

We're still plugging away at our Fundraising Goal but still have a long way to go. Please consider giving to this great cause, lets stop Cancer together!

My letter to Brooks Running Shoes...

Let me tell you our story...

5 weeks ago my wife Ginger and myself were couch potatoes. I am a retired Peace Officer. I haven't ran since I graduated from the Police Academy in 1986. My first and last pair of running shoes were a pair of "Brooks" I bought in 1985 for the Police Academy.

About 8 weeks ago my wife got a postcard from TNT (Team in Training) and talked me into joining. Prior to our first team work-out the coaches sent us to a local running store to be professionally fitted for running shoes. I fought buying expensive shoes but they convinced me it would be worth it in the long run.

When we arrived we were each assigned a different employee to assist us. I tried on several shoes but kept coming back to the first pair I tried on, the Brooks Ghost 4. The shoe made me feel as though I was bouncing with each step, it was amazing. When both sales associates took us to the register and starting ringing us up they began laughing. We had both ended up with the same shoe, Brooks Ghost 4! 

Then they asked for my credit card and saw our last name was Brooks and really laughed.

We are running in the Dallas White Rock Marathon. We are NOT runners but we ARE running for a good cause, the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society.

Please check out our Blog and our Fundraising page. We would appreciate your Sponsorship or Donation. Will you please consider giving to this great cause?

Thank-you for your time,

Darrel & Ginger Brooks

http://brooksruntherace.blogspot.com

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/whiterck11/Brooksruntherace

82 Days til the Big Race!!!

RIGHT NOW : Everyone who gives $5 receives a ticket or $20 for 5 tickets for the POT OF GOLD.

As of today the POT OF GOLD includes:

• $75 Mary Kay Gift Certificates
• $30 Chiptole
• $90 Target
• $25 CK Sports
• $40 App Store
• $25 Chili's +8 FREE kids meals
• $20 La Madeleine
• $50 Lego store
• $100 Cotton Patch Cafe
• $10 Barnes and Nobel
• $15 iTunes
• $50 set of Discovery Toy books Reading on My Own at Home
• a Mary Kay Spa Party for 8
• 4 passes to The Haunted House Dallas

It is still growing so I will keep you posted. The drawing with take place Oct 15. Hurry and give now.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8th from 4-7pm SUNNY STREET CAFE ~Murphy~ will donate 10% of sales to our Fundraising. It's one of our favorite spots to eat. You must have our card to give the waitress so meet us out front if you don't get one before. A Donation box will also be located next to the register. Here is their website to check it out the menu and get the address. http://www.sunnystreetcafe.com/

We have been touched so deeply by all those that have given financially to our fundraising and those who committed to pray for us through this process.

THANK YOU!

As a team , Darrel & I have raised 28%. Still a ways to go. We are confident God with make a way where there seems to be no way.

We have a few fundraising opportunities coming up soon.

MONDAY, SEPT 19 at our home 3426 Lillie Street Sachse, TX 75048

I am having a MARY KAY PAJAMA PARTY which means from 6-9PM come and go as you like. But while you are here get a facial focused on evening colors, bedtime skin care to wake up beautiful. Our daughter, Amber is a consultant and will donate 30% of sales to our Fundraising TEAM. Thank you AMBER.

Saturday Darrel and I both did 5 miles with the Team in Training. It was mostly walking with a little running. Our knees are taking the biggest beating so please pray about that. Feels like a screwdriver through the kneecap. Today we are both much better. WE CAN WALK AGAIN!!!

Saturday's run was dedicated to my dad, Tom. It was one year ago, Sept 10th that I kissed him good-bye for the last time. He was in so much pain from the Brain, Bone and Lung Cancer that it was a crazy relief to let him go. HE SUFFERS NO MORE!! We run in memory of Dad.

Vivian, Ginger's step mom is currently in remission with non-Hodskins Lymphoma. She is our Honored Hero and we run so others will not have to go through the huge battle she has fought.

June, is our other Honored Hero. She has just found out she has Chronic Lymphcytic Leukemia. She too has begun a hard battle. She would so appreciate your prayers at this time. She is our dear friends mom.

This week a couple shared about their honored hero's. When Seth spoke he said they run so no one else will have to hear the news their loved one has cancer. That's a great reason to run and to give.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/Whiterck11/brooksruntherace

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you,

Darrel & Ginger Brooks

P.S. I would appreciate it if you would forward this blog or email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again.

First 5 mile workout

We completed our first 5 mile work out on Saturday. Unfortunately with our knee injuries we were not able to run except for a few short bursts in the beginning. Coach David walked the last half with us and encouraged and coached us on some treatments for during the week.

I know my knees are just protesting because they have enjoyed the 20+ years of sitting on the couch. The rest of my body seems to like the new routine but the knees are only thinking about themselves.

If we only think of ourselves we too can cause the rest of the Body of Christ (other Christians) to suffer just like if I went back to the couch for my knees sake the rest of my body suffers from lack of exercise.

Lord, help me to be other focused so I can impact those around me in a positive way. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

Week 3 - Discouraged but Hopeful...

I haven't posted this week because I have been Discouraged. We only have had 1 workout this week on Tuesday night. Ginger continues to fight through the pain of her IT Band injury. Tuesday she was only able to walk (in great pain). I seemed to have a slight knee injury due to running on uneven sidewalks. due to our drought the ground is cracking open (much like the lake bottoms when a lake dries up). I measured one crack in our front yard and it was over 2 ft deep. This is causing the sidewalks to break apart or to lean to one side or the other. it's time to run in the streets of our neighborhood (those are starting to break-apart too).

Ginger and I bought some Knee Straps and they help with the pain. We'll see how the work on a run.

Last night we had a special event at work that lasted past 9pm. I missed my training night but I spoke with a young lady who has ran 2 marathons and was familiar with TNT. She told me as long as we stick to our training and log the miles we are scheduled we should not have a problem completing the White Rock Marathon! I am looking forward to tomorrow's 5 mile run and I am very encouraged. I gave her one of our Cards Our daughter designed for us, I hope she reads this and knows what an encouragement she was to me.

It's amazing how much a few encouraging words are to change someone's outlook. I pray that god allows me to encourage people the way this young lady encouraged me this week. "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Fundraising Business Cards

Our Daughter (Amber) has designed some Business Cards for us to use as an aid to our fundraising campaign. They look great and we are just starting to use them so we waiting to see if they will be successful. they have all the information needed to make a donation and have the info for our fundraising webpage and this blog. There is also a QR Code they can scan with a smartphone and it will take them to these locations without having to type anything!!!

Here is a picture of the design...THANKS AMBER!!!

9/1/11 - Last 2 mile work-out

Last Night was still hot even though the sun was going down, the air was hot and thick, you could feel it as it filled your lungs. I was looking forward to this workout because it was our last chance at the 2 mile walk/run (Saturday will be 5 miles and then we go to 3 mile daily workouts).

Ginger made it to the 1 mile mark before the pain was unbearable, then she went a little further and a little further until she almost finished the entire 2 miles. I am very proud of her determination. It reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 “…So let us run the race that is before us and never give up…” Keep her in prayer, she wants to race so badly but she has to work through this issue with her I.T. Band.

Here are our numbers for this workout;

Total Distance          2.13

Ave Speed                3.62

Ave Pace                   16:32

Calories                     392

What's New... 8/31/11

We are getting more and more excited each day.

So many things have happened in the last week. We have been hitting the fundraising trail hard. We have been going to businesses asking for donations. While we were in Stein Mart and gentleman came up to Darrel and asked if his was running the marathon for LLS. Darrel said yes. The man shook his hand and told him he had signed up 11 years ago but then shortly after was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis so could not run. With great sincerity he thanked Darrel for running. What an encouragement this was to Darrel. Running for those who can't.

There were times this last week I had doubt that I could. I experienced my first severe pain when my IT tendons revolted on me. You see they have been at rest and left alone for the past 30 years. An occasional burst here and there but nothing like 5 miles. We have fantastic coaches that helped me through. I now am wearing compression leg sleeves and they really help. Still not pain free but still running.

Last night Darrel put out a post on Facebook asking if anyone knew of an inexpensive runner's watch that signals you for intervals since we will be walking and running. Today a friend (Thanks Mike!) at his work brought in and gave to Darrel a Polar S520 with heart monitor. God is so good.

SUPER NEWS: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - North Texas Chapter Did you know? In Fiscal Year 2011, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's North Texas chapter was able to help 1,368 patients receive financial aid for a total of $205,200! Your dollars at work - helping your friends, neighbors and co-workers!! Way to go! Let's beat that in 2011-2012!

GREAT NEWS! For each $5 you give, including those who have already gave; you will be entered into a drawing call the "Pot of Gold". Team members are collecting gift cards from all over to go into the "Pot". The "Pot should be between worth $1000-$3000. Now ONE person will win the pot. Each time you give $5 you get ONE ticket or 5 tickets for $20. What a fun fundraiser.

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

Establish the work of our hands for us

Yes, establish the work of our hands."

Psalm 90:17 (maybe we could say feet?)

Thank you so very much for giving, if you already gave, THANK YOU ~ This is to let you know how we are doing.

Darrel & Ginger Brooks

Please use the following link to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress.  You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

   http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/Whiterck11/BrooksRunTheRace

   On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support.  We greatly appreciate your generosity.

 

   Thank you,

 

   Ginger Brooks

 

   P.S. I would appreciate it if you would forward this link via email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again :o )