So, today we had our first team training session! I woke up at 6:30 to a few inches of fresh snow- took my dog for a short walk and then bundled up and headed to the CSU track. It was a cold morning, that's for sure and only 6 of us actually showed up... and I was one of the hard core ones :)
It was an easy session. We did a bit of a warm up and then timed our miles, for pacing groups. I got an 8:54, with a steady pace... which is a good thing (according to Coach Jen, whose middle name happens to be Johanna!)
Then our little mascot showed up. I shouldn't say mascot, he's our local team hero. His name is Alex. He is 6 1/2 years old, he has down syndrome and in 2007 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Because of the down syndrome, cancer treatments are harder on his body. He goes through many more side effects from chemo (as if the regular side effects aren't bad enough) It's been a rough few years for the little guy, but you'd never know it from the big smile plastered across his face. Alex lives here in Fort Collins and he will be cheering us on from the sidelines as we train. Today he braved the cold in his full snow attire and sat through photos and everything else. Talk about a little motivator- seriously, having him there made me run just a little bit faster... maybe.
It was an easy session. We did a bit of a warm up and then timed our miles, for pacing groups. I got an 8:54, with a steady pace... which is a good thing (according to Coach Jen, whose middle name happens to be Johanna!)
Then our little mascot showed up. I shouldn't say mascot, he's our local team hero. His name is Alex. He is 6 1/2 years old, he has down syndrome and in 2007 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Because of the down syndrome, cancer treatments are harder on his body. He goes through many more side effects from chemo (as if the regular side effects aren't bad enough) It's been a rough few years for the little guy, but you'd never know it from the big smile plastered across his face. Alex lives here in Fort Collins and he will be cheering us on from the sidelines as we train. Today he braved the cold in his full snow attire and sat through photos and everything else. Talk about a little motivator- seriously, having him there made me run just a little bit faster... maybe.
Johanna i think what youre doing is amazing. i've bookmarked this page and i check it everyday! it means more to me than i can say in words that you are doing this. THANK YOU.
ReplyDeletegood luck with training! keep us posted!!
love,
Teeny
and is there a way to donate online? or just the good old check in the mail?