The Dixie Daredevils

Rachel

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 7 Dec 2012 19:42:00 -0800

Imagine for a moment, you are a 15 year old girl. Your only cares in the world are softball practice and what dress to buy for your freshman Homecoming dance. One Friday night, you're spending the night with your best friend, having fun, watching movies, laughing, doing your nails. You wake up the next morning with a stabbing pain in your back and side. It's bad enough you call your mother to come get you early and later you tell her you think you need to go see the doctor because it's getting worse. About an hour later, in a cold and sterile emergency room, you find out you have leukemia and moments later are on your way to a hospital that is hours away.

This is Rachel's story. A young, vibrant, seemingly healthy girl. A softball player. A girl full of laughter. A girl with cancer cells multiplying in her blood like wildfire ripping through straw. In less than a day's time, Rachel went from thinking about her first high school dance to wondering if she would have hair at Halloween.

The Dixie Daredevils are running to raise money to help Rachel's family pay the out of pocket expenses that come with this devastating diagnosis. There are organizations that help (American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) but their assistance can only go so far. Join us in helping them bridge the gap. Donations are accepted through PayPal (see the left hand side bar and click on the button that says "DONATE"). You can also help us by joining our team! Comment below or contact us at DixieDaredevils@gmail.com.

As we run races with our feet, Rachel is running a race against this deadly disease. We thank you for your support. We don't run "just because," we run FOR a cause and bring meaning to our miles.

Going Back to the Hood

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:24:00 -0700

I never expected that we'd have a team headed back to the Hood. There were three ways we could have another guaranteed spot. The first one was the fundraising route. That was an incredible journey, but not one we were willing to undertake again. The second was to get to the finish line within 30 minutes of our projected race time. When we entered the race, we each had to fill out a survey giving a current race finish time which the Hood to Coast computer used to calculate out an expected total time for our team. If the team comes within 30 minutes of that time, they have an automatic entry into the following year's race. (I'll discuss this more later.) We didn't quite make that time...I think we were just a bit too fast. The third way we could earn a guaranteed spot was to place in the top six of our division. That way was a wild card because there was no way to know where we were in the standings until it was all said and done.

I will have to admit. When I first talked to the team about pacing, I honestly thought we had a great chance of trying to get a top six spot, but we decided as a team we weren't going to go with the intention of racing the event. We were supposed to have a 9:30 pace or better, and we knew we'd be able to do that fairly easily given all the speedy gals we had on the team. As it turned out, we ended up coming in 6th!! (Originally they had us placed as 5th, but there was an error and the final results have us as 6th.)

So..the Dixie Daredevils are headed back to the Hood!! We have an all new team, except for yours truly. I couldn't resist. I had a great time and really wanted the chance to go back again. My hope for this team is for us to make it to the top six again, but even if we don't, I know we'll have a great time!

Stay tuned for information about the new team.

In the mean time...please "follow" our blog and "Like" us on FaceBook!

The 2012 team at the start line-the peak of Mt Hood in the background!

Birth of an Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 3 Sep 2012 09:41:00 -0700

Conception always starts with an idea. It may be the idea of what the outcome will be, or it may be an idea of just having a little fun, but there's always an idea that drives it. Even before the idea comes the introduction.

The Dixie Daredevils' Hood to Coast race actually started at a community Fourth of July cookout. That's where I met Casey (AKA Turtle). She said she had just started running. I had started running seven months earlier but was coming off five weeks of being sidelined due to injury. A few months later I told her about a movie I thought we should go see about a crazy relay race out on the West Coast. She was as excited about it as I was since we shared a common running obsession.

The only day the movie was to play (January 11, 2011), the roads were icey and snow covered. Being from the south, I knew there was no way I would be able to get us to the theater. Thankfully Casey was very adept at driving in the snow, being from Ohio and having lived in Virginia prior to moving here to Huntsville. We sat down to watch "Hood To Coast, the Movie", from the opening scene to the closing credits we were enthralled.

Casey's immediate reaction was, "WE HAVE TO DO THIS RACE!!" I told her I wanted to do it some day, but with a daughter in high school it didn't seem feasible in the near future for me. Not only that, I explained to her how hard it is to get into the race. There are more than 2,000 teams who try to enter, but only about 1,000 who get to do it. They have a mail in registration that is only open one day. Every team wanting to race must have their entry post marked and mailed in on that day. The top six teams from each division from the previous year's race are given a guaranteed entry, and then the remaining spots are filled by a lottery system. I went on to tell her it might be possible for us to get a spot on an existing team, but we may not end up on the same team going that route. (Teams end up looking for runners to fill holes in their roster.) Her eyes were bright with excitement and confident enthusiasm.

The very next morning Casey called. Almost shouting she said, "I found a way we can do it!! All we have to do is raise $15,000 for American Cancer Society by August and we will get a guaranteed spot in the race!" I told her I couldn't do the race that year because my daughter was going to be a senior; then she explained further. We had to raise the money by race day 2011 for entry into 2012's race. I'd like to say I was as certain as she was that feat was possible. I wasn't. Then the part of the equation she doubted came out when she said, "but, can you find 10 other girls who want to do this race?" I laughed. "Are you serious? It won't be a matter of finding 10, it will be a matter of limited it to 10!"

Casey was very new to the running community. She hadn't yet made all the running friends she has today; she didn't know the obsession we shared was as widely held as it is. I, on the other hand, knew, without a doubt, filling our team would be the easy part. I told her we'd have a team by the end of the week, and we did. The idea was conceived.

Just like the gestation of a baby is marked by trimesters, each with their own set of challenges and rewards, the progression of the idea of doing this race to getting to the start line was marked with the same.

At our first meeting we came up with our team name. We wanted something that would caption our drive and our southern, Alabamian origin. Dixie Daredevils fit the bill nicely. Heather Armstrong volunteered her brother to come up with a logo for us. The specifics about how we could raise the money needed to be entered into the race were discussed. Conception gave way to concept and plans were set in motion.

Over the next eight months we sought out corporate sponsors, we sold raffle tickets, we passed "The Shoe", we held a Fun Run and a Pub Run (also a fun run thanks to the Rocket City Hash House Harriers who organized it for us), we Zumbaed, we hosted a Premier Jewelry and a Pampered Chef party, and we had a lot of meetings along the way! We lost some teammates who were replaced by others, but we were ever driven to our fund raising goal. On Casey's 30th birthday, the money raised at the Pub Run (which was originally going to be a simple birthday party but quickly turned into a fund raising idea) put the team's balance over the $15K mark and put us in the race!

Once our American Cancer Society commitment was fulfilled, we turned our attention to the idea of working for the money to get us all to the race. We had high hopes of earning enough money to pay for the vans, gas, hotels and airfare, although we knew it might end up requiring each of us contributing a chunk of personal funds. The next ten months were tough for most of us on the team. Job changes, divorce, the birth of the youngest Dixie Daredevil, moves, significant others being deployed, stress fractures, all happening alongside each of us training not only for this race but also for our personal fitness goals.

Any woman who has ever been pregnant can tell you the joys and the challenges of being "with child". I remember when I was pregnant with my son. The first trimester was exciting and fun, but also scary and uncertain and marred slightly by morning sickness. The middle months were the best. Everyone could see my growing belly, I felt fantastic, I had more energy than I had in a long time, and I loved everything about the process. The final months were a struggle to say the least. By the time my due date came (and went) I was ready to have the process be over. I was ready to be done being pregnant.

I think the birth of the idea of this race was no different for any of us (except maybe the newest member of our team, Patti, who came onto the team in the final stages). We were ready to get to the start line. At 9:30am Pacific time, the gun went off at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and Ashley started the first leg of the race for our team. Just under 30 hours later, Melissa crossed the finish line at Seaside finishing out our endeavor.

Ironically, the day my son was born I started thinking I might want to do this thing again. Remember when I told you the top six teams in each division get an automatic guaranteed entry into the next years' race? We came in fifth according to the posted results....

"Are We There Yet?" ....not quite.

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:42:00 -0700

Heather and Regena put this video/slideshow together to show before our big movie premier. It's hard to believe how far we've come...especially considering we aren't even "there" yet! I can't wait.

Hood to Coast Movie Screening!

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:35:00 -0700

To order tickets from this blog, please click on the "DONATE" button on the left side of the screen where it says "ORDER TICKETS"!! You will be directed to Pay Pal. Tickets are $15 each for general admission and $18 each for balcony Prive seating (must be 21 or over as alcohol is available for purchase in the balcony area). Tickets will be held at the "Will Call" table at the theater, available for pick up beginning at 6pm. (Please make sure correct information is provided through Pay Pal.)

Skinny Turkey Draws Record Breaking Crowd

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0800

The Skinny Turkey 5K and 10K races brought a record breaking crowd this year in more ways than one. There were over 200 participants this year, over triple the amount of last year!! Nana's Pies, Fleet Feet Huntsville and Road ID were all sponsors along with the race director himself, Parker Edmiston of the Edmiston Law Firm.

If I have received correct information, I believe all course records (for every age group) were broken this year!! We are particularly thankful for this race for the generous donation to our team of $500!!

Yup...that's a 10K time!

Three of our very own team mates (Heather, Julia and Casey) ran the race on foot, while Regena ran the race from behind the scenes (sidelined by injury). All three runners placed in their age group. Casey and Julia broke their age groups' course records!! Way to go ladies!!

Getting to the Start Line

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 1 Nov 2011 16:11:00 -0700

We are officially entered in the race!!! Because we were able to raise over $15K for American Cancer Society, we knew we'd be guaranteed entry, however, we still had to send in our registration form on the right day with the required fee. See, Hood to Coast is not like other races...registration is open by mail-in form on one day only. Entries post marked before or after that one single day are not even considered!

The top six teams from all 15 divisions in the 2011 race were allowed automatic entry first, then the fundraising teams...in order to fill the remaining spots, they have a lottery from all the submissions post-marked on the correct date. This year over 2,500 teams from all 50 states and 30 countries applied for 1,050 slots. Yes, more teams were turned away than were entered.

So...we want to give a heart-felt THANK YOU to everyone who helped us reach the $15K fundraising goal, allowing us to participate in this event as well as everyone who has helped (or will help) us continue to raise the necessary funds allowing us to actually make it to the start line.

Here's the thing about that...if this race weren't unbelievable fun (from what I've heard), no one would want to be involved. If no one wanted to run the race, it wouldn't be hard to get a spot. If it wasn't hard to get a spot in the race, teams wouldn't be motivated to raise the required amount in order to guarantee their entry. The fact this is a fun race IS what allowed the organizers to raise over $517,000 this year to fight cancer on all fronts (research for a cure, research for treatment, funding for patients and their families to receive the care they need, etc).

Do we as a team NEED to run this race in order to raise the money for American Cancer Society? No. However, how many people do you know who raise money for a charity or cause without it being tied to some kind of event (MDA Lock-Up, wrapping paper and cookie dough sales for the schools, public radio fund drives....)? Not how many people give to charities which are near and dear to their heart...how many people convince others to give to those charities without there being some campaign? I'd say less than 1% of any organizations' budget is raised this way.

This is why it is CRUCIAL our team (along with all our competitors) make it to the start line for the race!! I believe keeping the event alive and fruitful will only serve to increase the donations to American Cancer Society year after year (2011 saw an increase of $17K in dontations...I can't even imagine what it will be in 2012).

To that end (making it to the start line), we've been organizing several events. The raffle for the Alabama/Arkansas football tickets was a huge success. In the coming days I'll tell you about a few other past events as well as let you know what's coming up next. For now...please take three minutes and watch this video...maybe you'll have a better understanding why we want to make it to the start line so bad!

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:34:00 -0700

I have been completely remiss in updating. So much has been going on I just haven't sat down to write this post...but here it is.

As you know we were raffling off a pair of tickets to the Arkansas/Alabama football game that was held on September 24th. Thanks to Fleet Feet, we were able to host a super fantastic tail-gating party where we drew the name of one very lucky winner. Naturally the party was set to follow a fun-filled group run from the store. Several things were going on that night...three different training groups were meeting (New Balance NOBO, Brooks Next Steps, and Mizuno 13.1), a Ragnar rep was as the store to provide information on their upcoming relays, and it was Thompson Tuesday (people meet to run from the store-usually 3-6 miles). Not to mention, WE were there putting on a tailgating bash!!

The day started out pretty dreary to say the least. As I was driving over to the store the rain was POURING to the point I almost pulled the plug on the party. However, I know runners...we find a way to our thing, rain or no rain. Barring lightning, there would certainly be hungry people to feed and hydrate with post-run beverage! Just as we finished setting up...the clouds rolled back and the sun popped out, just in time for everyone to get their miles in.

The pair of tickets (donated by our team mate, Melissa) were for seats in a PREMO spot, to see Alabama's first SEC game of the season, and (according to Stub-Hub) were worth about $500-$600!! To have an opportunity to win them for as little as $2, naturally, many people decided to buy some last minute chances. Even people who didn't care to go to the game bought chances, because I told everyone I would buy them from the winner for $100 right then and there. (Yes, I was secretly hoping the winner wouldn't want to go to the game, because I would have LOVED to go.)

As everyone was coming back from their runs, the Ragnar rep told us all about the relay from Chattanoog to Nashville (much the same as the race we will run next August). A runner, Allison Click, came up just as the rep was about to make a drawing for a door prize so I told her to quickly put her name in the bowl for her chance. After she did that she came over, dug through her pockets to find two dollars and bought the last raffle ticket we sold.

The Ragnar rep stirred the names in her bowl and then had someone from the crowd come and draw the name....ALLISON CLICK!!!! How lucky!! She won a cool headlamp (something all relayers must wear during evening hours).

As that drawing was going on, I took the bowl-full of about 650 raffle tickets and started mixing them up. After several minutes of this...it was time to find out who would either be going to the game, or (hopefully) selling me those tickets!! We had an associate from the store make the selection (since he hadn't purchased a ticket). He's very tall so I held the bowl above my head and asked for a drum roll from the crowd. He reached up, dug his hand in and pulled out the ticket bought by....ALLISON CLICK!!!!

Yes...the girl who has just run up, at the very last minute, the girl who bought ONE single chance, the girl who had just won the other drawing....won the tickets!!!

I wish we had gotten the whole thing on video. She screamed and jumped up and down as if she'd just won the million dollar lottery!!!

She told us not only does she never win anything (she sure made up for it that night, huh?), she had also had a completely horrible day, topped off with a bad run and a hurting leg. (That pain in her leg sure didn't keep her from leaping for joy at her good fortune!) I told her she needed to go right then and buy lottery tickets because clearly it was her winning night!

To my dismay, she actually wanted to go to the game (bummer for me!). From what I understand, she had a great time cheering as Alabama smoked the Hogs!

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets. With the money we raised, we will be able to rent the two vans and (hopefully) buy the gas we'll need in order to do the race!!

Fall = FOOTBALL!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:02:00 -0700

I have always loved fall. When I was younger it meant new school supplies and going back to school (I loved it for all of one day, then I couldn't wait for summer vacation!). As I got older it meant the start of football season! Okay, to be honest, when I was in high school that was code for DANCES, but it was fun to walk around and talk to friend during the games, too. When I moved to Northwest Arkansas Fall meant Razorback games and calling the Hogs. Now that I'm a bonafide Bama fan (for every game but one--can you guess which one that might be?), fall means traveling to T Town and cheering "Roll Tide Roll" as Skynyrd blares over the speakers.

I'll go ahead and apologize to half the state right now...yes, I know there's another SEC school in this state, but living here means picking sides and my side was picked from the first time I set foot in Bryant Denny Stadium (for Saban's first SEC game as Alabama's head coach--against MY Hogs!!). Yes...I came to the game with a Razorback on my cheek and I called the Hogs faithfully from our 50 yard line, 15th row seat...but I left loving all the Bama fanfare. To be fair, I've never been to Jordan-Hare (to be honest, I doubt I ever will). Like I said, living here means picking sides. Roll Tide!!

I have great news for all you Alabama and Arkansas fans!! Our very own Melissa Lee has donated a pair of tickets for us to raffle off to the AR/AL game to be held at Bryant Denny on September 24th at 1pm. These aren't just any tickets either. They are on the lower level (section KK), row 51, seats 17 and 18. I just checked Stub Hub and these tickets would currently sell for $265-$278 PER TICKET (row 51 only)! Once the season begins, the price will go up...trust me on this! Both teams are going to be very strong this year so this should be a fantastic game.

We are selling raffle tickets for $2 each!! You can't beat that! Even if you don't want to go to the game, you can sell them if you are the lucky winner!! We'll have the drawing on September 21st so we'll have time to overnight the tickets to an out of area winner. We can accept cash, check, or even credit card (via Pay Pal). If you would like tickets either chase down someone on the team, or send us an email at dixiedaredevils at gmail dot com (spelled out to avoid spammers!!). Let us know how many tickets you want and we'll make arrangements to get them to you!

Roll Tide!! I mean Go Hogs!! Maybe Roll Hogs??!!

THANK YOU Huntsville West Kiwanis Club

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:07:00 -0700

Casey and Regena accept the check from the Huntsville West Kiwanis Club!

As I've mentioned before, we have met the task of raising $15,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society in order to guarantee our entry into the 2012 Hood to Coast Relay Race. Now we have to get to the race! The Huntsville West Kiwanis Club has given our "Journey to the Hood" a huge head start the other day by making a generous donation of $250 to our expense fund!! Thank you doesn't do justice to the appreciation we feel for everyone who believes in our team enough to support us financially.

One of the exciting fundraisers the Huntsville West Kiwanis Club puts on every year is the Rocket City Classic Golf Tournament. This year the tournament will take place at Hampton Cove/Highland Course on September 15th. There will be great prizes not to mention great golf. The cost is a steal at $130 a person. The funds raised will support special needs children at Merrimack Hall for Performing Arts. ((As a side note, my daughter has volunteered for the dance classes there and has told me it is an exceptional program.)) For more information please contact Sharon Layne at sharon.layne at charter dot net (((spelled out to hide from spam bots!!))), or leave a comment with your contact information and we'll pass it on.

We're There...and yet, We Still Have a Long Way To Go...

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 5 Aug 2011 07:35:00 -0700

THANKS to all our sponsors, individual and corporate, we have reached our fundracing goal!! We have raised a whopping grand total of $15,000 for American Cancer Society!!! This amount guarantees our entry into the 2012 Hood To Coast Relay Race!!

If you take a look at our Sponsors Page, you'll see the businesses who helped us reach this goal...but what you won't see are the countless individual contributors. Our two biggest fundraising endeavors were Diva Night at Fleet Feet and Casey's 30th Birthday Pub Run. The Pub Run was graciously sponsored and lead by the Huntsville Hash House Harriers. We had a great time chasing "the hare". Thanks to the generosity of the group, we were able to reach not only the "finish line" of the run, but also the "finish line" of the fund race as well.

Up to now we haven't done many actual "fund raisers" in the traditional sense of the word...bake sales, car washes, that kind of thing. But, be warned, we're about to start. See, now that we have a guaranteed spot in the race, we have to GET THERE. We have plane tickets, van rental, hotel rooms, food, BAND AIDS... Wait...we don't have to buy band aids thanks to a generous donation from Hobb's Pharmacy, but you get the picture.

Along that line, you will notice there is a NEW BUTTON on the left side bar...or if you didn't, you do now, right?? Well, that's a Pay Pal donation button. We are in the process of getting all the paperwork filed for not-for-profit status so we can't currently offer any tax deduction receipts (maybe in the near future?), however, I can assure you all the money collected will go directly to fund our race expenses. We don't quite have a handle on the total amount we'll need just yet, but when we get that figure more firmly established, I'll post a new goal thermometer so you can track our progress! (You can still make donations to American Cancer Society through the other "Donate" button.)

Stay tuned for exciting upcoming opportunities to get us to the HOOD!!! But...once again...THANK YOU for all you've done to get us this far!

Where Have We Been???

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:18:00 -0700

Orlando, MTB, Colorado, Europe, first place on the podium, third overall, relay wins, coaching Tri 101, leading Secret Miles and Java Warriors, Zumba-thon, becoming an aunt, training training training, trail races, stage races, duathlons, triathlons, Canada, California, buying men at auction.... Watch this to see the places we've been lately.

Summer Sizzler Super Metric Century Charity Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:37:00 -0700

Another Dixie Daredevil made the news!! Carrie Wilson is the director of an upcoming event called the Summer Sizzler Super Metric Century. This bike ride is a fundraiser for the Family Services Center. The event will be held on Saturday August 6th at 7:00am. Register HERE.

Laura McCrain

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:59:00 -0700

After a few years of sporadic running, Laura McCrain was quickly swept into Huntsville’s incredible running community upon her relocation to Alabama in 2008. Through Fleet Feet, Laura completed both 10K and half marathon training programs in 2009. Inspired by her new friends and introduced to local trail running in Monte Sano State Park, she set a goal to finish a 50K trail race. To date, Laura has completed three 50K trail races, including the 2011 Mountain Mist 50K. In June 2011, Laura finished the RockCreek Stage Races in Chattanooga…“60 Miles – 3 Days – 3 Mountains.”

Laura is happiest exploring new trails with her wonderful running buddies, including her husband, Will Barnwell. Laura and Will are indulgent owners of two mixed breed, non-athletic dogs named Dixie and Scout. Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, reading, and traveling and is thankful for a very full and blessed life.

A native of North Carolina, she graduated from NC State University with degrees in Aerospace Engineering and works as a systems engineer in the military-industrial complex.

WHNT Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 15:27:00 -0700

Today's interview went by at lightning speed!

In less than 2.5 minutes, all the basics were covered

We're running the Hood to Coast Relay in 2012.
We're raising money for American Cancer Society and only have about $900 to meet our goal (which as you know is $15,000).
We're a group of local female athletes (triathletes and runners).
We're not only running this relay and raising money, but we are active in the community.
Our top two sponsors are BB&T and Fleet Feet.

If you've read much on this blog you know one of the main reasons we are running this race and participating in this fund raising effort is because we have all been touched by cancer in one way or another. Did you read the statistic I posted earlier:

1,500 Americans die from cancer EVERY DAY!!

American Cancer Society is attempting to bring that number down. We're asking you to help us help them. There are several ways you can help.

Click on the "Donate" button on the left hand side bar and make a donation to our team.
Click on the "Join Our Team" button to the right and be a (non-running) Daredevil. You can then send out the American Cancer Society link to all your friends and family to help us raise money without actually running the race. ((Stay tuned for fundraising incentives to be determined and announced very soon.))
You can "follow" our blog (click on the "follow" button to the right, "follow" us on Twitter, "like" us on FaceBook and subscribe to us on YouTube. And...
Spread the word. Share all our links with all your friends and ask them to share with their friends.

Together we can make a difference.

We're Going to be on TV!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 08:15:00 -0700

Today at noon Casey and I (Dana) will be on WHNT News at Noon!! I'll post the video as soon as I can.

In preparation for the show I did some research. Did you know that 1,500 Americans die of cancer EVERY DAY? Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US (the first is heart disease). One in four deaths in the US is caused from cancer.

The statistics are staggering.

Outrunning Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:55:00 -0700

I just read an amazingly inspiring story about Serena Burla, a 28 year old who ran her first marathon 10 months after being diagnosed with a rare cancer in her leg. She not only ran the marathon, she did it in 2:37:06, qualifying her for the 2012 Olympic trials!!! Read the full story HERE.

Stories like this remind me why we committed to fund-race. American Cancer is one organization that hopes to run itself out of business one day!!

Carrie is running for her grandfather, "Papa"

noreply@blogger.com (Carrie) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:28:00 -0700

I am running for my "Papa", William Wilson, who was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in September 1998. He lost his fight to cancer on February 1, 2000. He left behind 2 sons, 3 daughters, 15 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. If he were here today, he would have 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren! We have a huge family, so he always knew he had lots of love!

One of my happiest memories of him when I was growing up was that he loved driving us around on his John Deere tractor! As an adult, my happiest memory of him was the cruise we took after his cancer diagnosis and before he became so sick. Looking back, I appreciate that trip even more than I did at the time. I was in college when he passed away and I remember hating to see him in such pain, especially during chemotherapy and in the later stages of his sickness. Papa was a prominent businessman in North Alabama area and is still missed by his family, many friends and business associates. His memory lives on and I am so proud to run in his memory at the 2012 Hood to Coast Relay as a Dixie Daredevil!!!

Shake That Shake Off!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 8 Jun 2011 08:30:00 -0700

Zumba to Keep Madison County on the Map as a Cancer Fighting Community

Join the Dixie Daredevils in fundraising for the

American Cancer Society.

Currently, we are the #3 Fundraiser in the nation thanks to your help! Let's continue to show the nation that the Madison County community is committing to the fight against cancer!

ZUMBA-THON

Saturday, June 11th 9:30am and 11am

$10 Donation

100% of Donations go to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the Dixie Daredevils

Free Bottle Water to first 72 participants, courtesy of BB&T Bank!

Hosted by and Located at:

Mee Maw’s Place Child Development Center

12815 Memorial Pkwy Southwest
Huntsville, AL 35803

Like a Good Neighbor...

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:42:00 -0700

No, this is not another sponsor thank you to a popular insurance company whose jingle everyone can finish... I wish that were the case.

About a year ago a new couple moved into our neighborhood. Being good neighbors my husband, daughter and I tried to deliver brownies...several times. This couple never seemed to be home. So we did what anyone would do. We "stalked" them. (We kept an eye on the house so we could catch them at home.) One evening we got lucky and saw a car pulling into the garage. With a fresh batch of brownies in hand, we rushed over. Within a few minutes we discovered why it was this newly-wed couple could never be caught at home.

A few months after becoming husband and wife, a few weeks after starting a new job and buying a new house and very shortly after finding out Mrs. Good Neighbor was expecting their first child, Mr. Good Neighbor was diagnosed with t-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma with acute leukemia. Their "happily ever" would have to wait until after several rounds of chemotherapy and a declaration of remission.

Chemo was completed. Remission was declared. And, Baby Girl Good Neighbor was born!!

Unfortunately...Mr. Good Neighbor was told this past week his cancer has relapsed. It's currently "only" in his lymph nodes (not in his blood or bone marrow), which means chances of survival are much higher. He'll undergo two rounds of chemo then be rechecked to see how well the treatments worked. If he is even in partial remission, he will be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant.

Here's where you have a chance to be a Good Neighbor. There are countless cancer patients out there who are looking for bone marrow and/or blood stem cell donors.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, and are healthy, you could save someone's life by donating marrow or blood stem cells. It all starts with a painless swab of the inside of your mouth in order to determine if you have what it will take to save a life. After that, donating blood stem cells is very similar to donating plasma. Basically after taking a series of injections prior to the procedure, your blood is drawn, the necessary parts are separated out, and then your blood is put back into your body. Marrow donation is a bit more involved and requires an outpatient procedure where a needle is inserted into your pelvic bone allowing life-giving marrow (the juice in the middle of your bones) to be removed.

If you'd like more information please visit the National Marrow Donor Website's FAQ page. The life you save could be your own neighbor's...the life she saves could be yours. Won't you be a good neighbor today??

BB&T-Your Home Town Bank!

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 25 May 2011 06:38:00 -0700

I guess you could say we technically started "fund racing" back in February (although our true "kick off" wasn't until March). Probably the very day we had a team together, Captain Casey went to her employer, BB&T (a bank for those who haven't heard of them), and asked them if they could start us out and be our first corporate sponsor. Impressively, they jumped in hole hog and became our first (and as yet only) "marathon" level sponsor with a $2,500 donation to American Cancer Society. They have continued to help us by donating bottles of water for various events and by allowing Captain Casey time during the day to attend Dixie Daredevil functions in the community.

Not only have they helped us in major ways, in the weeks following the tornadoes that devastated parts of our state, BB&T allowed (even encouraged) their employees to take paid time off work to help with the clean up efforts. The Huntsville metropolitan area's population is just shy of 418,000 people. If you look up "banks in Huntsville Alabama" in the virtual yellow pages, you'll find 173 entries. We are not a small town, and there are a lot of choices for your banking needs. I don't know about you, but I personally want to do business with a bank that is interested in the local community, one that gives back to the area, one that cares for its employees and town. From what I've seen, BB&T is that bank.

If you're in the market for a loan (small or large), or you need a place to stash your cash other than your mattress, check them out. While you're there...stop in and tell Captain Casey, "HEY!!"

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The Girl With the Broken Foot

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:58:00 -0700

I'm NOT the girl with the broken foot who wrote "Five Weeks Without Running!"

Let me explain. I'm not the only author for this blog, Carrie Wilson is one as well. "Five Weeks..." was the first (and as yet only) post Carrie has written. Now...when a post is completed, I have it automatically sent to my Face Book page and the Dixie Daredevil page. It is also emailed to anyone who has subscribed (including my mother). Can you see where this is going?? My mother, along with several of my friends, believed I was the girl with the broken foot!! (You should go back and read the comment my mom left-it's pretty funny!) So sorry for the confusion! You can see who wrote the post by looking at the bottom of the entry--but only if you are on the page. I think the email feed comes directly from ME so it will always look like I wrote it. (Not to mention we have a very similar writing style!)

....and no, she is not the girl with the broken foot THIS story is about, I just thought it was ironic.

So, if it's not me, and it's not Carrie, maybe you're wondering who this is. Or, maybe you're wondering why I'm writing about her. Allow me to explain.

Several girls from Huntsville went over to Atlanta this weekend to participate in the Athleta Iron Girl Sprint Tri. ANOTHER of my Dixie Daredevil teammates, Sarah Coleman, and I were among them. Alas, Sarah is the girl. (Yes, two girls on the team with broken feet...we're a driven bunch, what can I say! ...but Carrie's is healed up, so we currently only have one...)

I digress...

About a week ago Sarah got the unfortunate news what she believed to have been plantar faciitis was a stress fracture. She received this news only after it progressed into a full on broken bone. You might think she opted out of the sold out race she registered for pre-injury. You might think she went to cheer on her friends and collect her tshirt and swag bag. You might even go so far to think she went ahead and participated in the 587 yard open water swim for practice.

You'd be right...but one thing led to another and the night before the race she decided she would swim, and bike...and then walk the "run" in her fancy boot. However, as I was leaving T2 I bumped into someone and realized immediately Sarah was not only NOT walking in her boot...she was BEATING ME by about 10 minutes (because she started about 10 minutes after me) and here we were running together!!

Fleeting hopes of her needing to slow down quickly vanished as I reminded myself just how competitive she really is. As I started to fade, we neared the middle of the first hill; I decided I "needed" a quick breather and walked a bit. I told her she could keep going and to not let me slow her down. She was gracious enough to tell me I was speeding her up, but seriously, the only reason she was even still on the course was that BROKEN FOOT of hers. (Otherwise she'd have already finished, showered and had a post race massage!)

As we turned to go up the last hill that led to the finish line, I was about to walk yet again (because I thought I just couldn't make it up that thing)...she grabbed my hand and told me to come on!! When we got to the top of the hill, and the end was in sight, I showed my thanks by attempting to give her a race for the finish. But...even with a BROKEN FOOT she held me stride for stride and we crossed over together. I can't wait to see those finish line shots!

Sarah is a hardcore Rock Star. I was mentally whimpering over some cramps...I can't imagine the pain she must have been in. She kept saying she had never hurt that bad at the end of a race, and yet, she powered through it. How embarrassing... beaten by the girl with the broken foot!! It could have been worse, she could have been wearing her boot!!

Congratulations Sarah on a great race. Now, please take some time off!! Photos to come.

You Tube Love

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:24:00 -0700

I have to admit...even though I'm currently an author of four blogs (this one, my running blog, my "personal" blog, and my attempt at writing fiction blog), I have a Twitter account (for myself and with the team), and am on FaceBook (for myself and with the team) at least three or four times a week...I'm really not up with social media (or is it "down with"? I forget). I'm getting older by the day, and consequently a little more "outdated" (because I can't bring myself to use the words "old fashioned" just yet). However, I am trying to learn. And...I'm really loving it!! Each platform has its own appeal. Twitter is fast and just the facts. FaceBook feels a bit slower paced and is more interactive. Blogging allows me to get some thoughts out of my head onto "paper".

...and then there's You Tube!!

I am developing a deep affection for You Tube. I've only posted one video so far...but I set up our channel and I have to say I love it!! I hate to admit it, but until recently I didn't even know why anyone would set up a channel if they weren't publishing videos like Fred. But, I've learned it's much more than that. It's a place for me to "save" all my favorite videos, and to subscribe to all my favorite channels. If you subscribe to the Dixie Daredevil channel you will be able to have immediate access to anything we post as soon as it's out there. Just like having a subscription to a favorite magazine--it's sent directly to you instead of you having to go out to get it from the store!!

Now, I know this is not news to most of you...but I didn't know before and I think it's exciting!! Go on over there and subscribe to our channel so you'll be in the loop when we post our thrilling Dixie Daredevil videos!! Because, thanks to my new-found You Tube love, our channel will be full of DD productions before you know it!! And you know you want to be included in the fun!!

Melissa Lee

noreply@blogger.com (Carrie) — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:09:00 -0700

I am elated to have been nominated and chosen to be part of the Dixie Daredevils. Dixie Daredevil’s charity of choice had my undivided attention before I was asked to join their team. I am running to honor both my aunts, Carolyn Morris (colon cancer) and Judy Pricket (breast cancer), who are both currently in remission from their struggle with cancer. Cancer’s ruthlessness has definitely affected my family over the years and the American Cancer Society efforts have had a direct impact on my aunts’ well being. I am excited about raising money to support the American Cancer Society!

A little about me: My motto in life has always been “work hard and play hard” and I believe I live up to that every day. To be completely honest, these days I may even play harder than I work! I am number four of five children and four of us followed my father’s footsteps and became United States Marines. Although I only stayed in the Marine Corps for a four year tour the phrase “once a Marine, always a Marine” is definitely true. There is no such thing as a former Marine and if you doubt that at all, just ask one. I have been running as far back as I can remember, from running from the torment of my older brothers, to trying to catch and tackle my younger brother, to training in preparation of OCS, to the years of Marine Corps Training and to now…just because. My favorite past times include swimming, biking, running, drinking beer, traveling to race events (triathlons, duathlons, run races, etc...), hiking, reading, traveling, laughing, eating and spending time with wonderful family and friends. In my professional life I am merely one of the thousands of engineers who are, literally and figuratively, running around Huntsville.

What is Hood to Coast?

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Sun, 8 May 2011 05:09:00 -0700

I remember the first time I heard about the Hood to Coast race; I was either reading the book or the blog Run Like a Mother. I didn't have a clue what it was. I first thought it was some kind of cross country race-as in across the whole country, from the "hood"-NYC, to the (west) coast.

Much later, while listening to The Marathon Show one day, the host, Joe Taricani, was interviewing the director of the Hood to Coast movie. Because Joe is such a good interviewer...I found out not only all the details about the event, I was introduced to the spirit of the race. After seeing the movie, I was hooked. (I've already confessed to you I might not be actually doing this thing if not for Captain Casey, but I knew I wanted to do it after listening to the interview.) I'm just so thankful Casey went to the movie with me.

So...what exactly is H2C? You probably know it's a 197 mile relay race that runs from Mt. Hood to Sea Side Oregon. It's the largest relay race in the world in terms of participation. ...I don't want to make this a Wiki entry, but the truth is since I haven't yet experienced the race, it's hard for me to adequately write about it. My guess is it will be a lot like becoming a parent. Everyone told me, before I had my son, there was no way to describe what it feels like. I thought I knew how I would feel...but I didn't have a clue until I was feeling it because I had never experienced anything like it before.

In my mind, this is "just" a really cool race. But I've had enough experiences in my life to know I should believe all those people who say this is NOT just any other race. I love what Bart Yasso (Chief Running Officer of Runner's World magazine) has to say in the Hood to Coast movie trailer: "No matter what you read and what you hear, you have to EXPERIENCE it."

So...if you want the facts of the race, you can check out their official website or the Wiki entry...otherwise, you'll have to wait another 15 months if you want me to tell you about it....and trust me I WILL!! Until then I'll just keep telling you about our Journey getting there!!