The LA Cancer Challenge 2010 was a huge success. Thank you so much to all the wonderful people who made it happen. Thanks to the front runners who lead Team Tyler to a 4th Straight 5K Team Championship. Thanks to everyone else who came out who made Team Tyler the force that it was. Seriously, everywhere you looked, you would see someone in a Team Tyler shirt. Thanks to everyone who supported us from afar. Your positive energy helped more than you will know. Thanks to everyone who gave money to fight pancreatic cancer. Your generosity was really touching. Finally, thanks to everyone who walked in the back with me. It sure did feel like a long 3.1 miles but I was stoked I made it and I owe so much of it to all of you keeping me company and chatting me up and really carrying me through it. A lot has happened since the last race - foot drop, AFOs, strength improvement, extensive neuropathy, walker, wheelchair, walker, gradual improvement, a couple minor surgeries, more strength, and finally a cane- and I really didn’t know if it was going to happen. You guys got me through. Well done.
As far as the team, we took home the 5K Team Title again and we had an amazing “official” 71 Team Tyler members and many more people actually on the course and supporting from home.
We raised over $8,000!! That is awesome and will certainly help pushing research forward. Particularly impressive considering the current economic climate.
And while those were no small feats, I think the highlight of the day for me was seeing so many old and new friends and getting to talk a bit with so many of you. It was a really fun day and I really treasure every fun day I get. I wish I could have spent the whole morning with each of you but there just are not enough hours in the day. Thank you for being incredible people.
One really sweet woman introduced herself after the race and said she had joined Team Tyler because she had come across my story on the Pancan website. She didn’t know any of us but it looked like she was just another one of the gang. Pretty cool.
Shannon came through fabulously with some awesome jerseys and Big Dennis and my dad made adorable kiddie Team Tyler shirts and some classics. Actually, I am pretty sure our edge was the few small children and dog that were a part of the team - essential ingredients for any feel good story. I think it is safe to say that we were the most stylish team out there.
I do have to apologize, though. I was a big idiot at the end of the race. After walking together for over an hour and a half, everyone was kind enough to let me go a step ahead as I crossed the line, after which, if I was a considerate individual, I would have turned around and thanked everyone for getting me through it. As it happened, I just kept walking, got my medal, posed for a quick pic, and then went straight back to my chair by the tree. Sorry about that. I was just stupid and tired and basically dreaming of my chair. Just know that I really did appreciate everyone one out there.
People who are better at sharing pictures than me have been sending me some wonderful shots and I have put them up in a mobile me gallery that you can directly add your photos to. Please upload your shots and feel free to download what ever pics you want to. I will try to keep a bit of order but I’m not always the most reliable. I am looking forward to your pics. Becky and Mike Sanders got us started out very nicely. Here is the link
http://gallery.me.com/tnoesen/100053
If pics are already in your email, you can just forward the email to
tnoesen-3zhq@post.me.com
and they will get added automatically.
One last little treat. Natan put together a video of the “race” which a lot of you are in. Well done Natan. Disclaimer: just know that I walk very slowly. It is just my speed right now. It was 7 minutes faster than last year and only 78 minutes off my PR. The video is up on his wall on facebook.
Again, great job everyone. Take Care and Live Strong.
Tyler
