LIVESTRONG Challenge, San Francisco, and More!!

I'll try to go in order here but no promises!  I was in the San Francisco area working for three days.  We had about 3 hours Monday afternoon and managed to complete the fastest tour of SF EVER.  I have some video of the sea lions at Pier 39, but I'll have to add that later when I have time to do it right!  Check out the pictures!

Kiley and Me on the 38th floor of the Hilton

Kiley and me having irish coffee at The Buena Vista

Fishermans Wharf

Beautiful church

Heart in the square

Really???  Just California knows this?  I find that hard to believe...

I got back from California Tuesday night and headed to Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday.  I flew to Austin on Friday so Lee and I could run in the LIVESTRONG Challenge bright and early Saturday morning.  Now bring out the soapbox.  I realize everyone doesn't love Lance Armstrong or the peoples' beliefs that have started other foundations HOWEVER...

Cancer is indiscriminate.  It preys on people of all races, religions, backgrounds, ages.  Cancer is one of the top reasons for death in the world every single year.  That said, please get involved.  Do it for your friends and family members.  Do it for yourself.

I intended to go down to Austin and attempt to finish a 5K for a good cause.  I hoped to complete it in under 45 minutes, but I thought that was highly unlikely given the fact I had been traveling a lot and hadn't had time to keep up with my planned workout schedule.  The weather was fantastic; cold, clear, and then sunny toward the end of the race at about 8:30am.

Lee finished the race in just over 41 minutes and I finished in just under 35.

We both ran almost the entire time and felt like we were going to collapse after it was over.

We both got back a lot more than we ever expected.  

It was so very rewarding to be around such wonderful people, cancer survivors, children fighting cancer, and people grieving for their loved ones while giving back.  It was the most amazing experience for us.  We plan to run the 5K every single year and are even looking up other ways we can get involved in the DFW area.  Please do what you can: walk, run, bike, volunteer, or donate.  Tell your friends; include your family.

Lee, Me and Mike after the race

Lee and Me

Lee Crossing the finish line

The Capitol Building after the race

In summary, Lee and I have had a fantastic week.  We've both been working hard and this week will be filled with catching up on some much needed sleep.  We had a great time with my family and were thankful we were able to see everyone.

One last thing: my grandpa, Popeye, passed away one year ago today.  I really cannot believe it has already been a year.  It seems so recent until I start missing him.  I miss him so much.  I wish I could give him a hug or go riding around town in the car.  I said I would get involved with the fight against cancer and succeeded.  I wish he could have been there to see us cross the finish line; I know he would have been proud.  Honestly, if it weren't for him I don't think I could have finished.  I thought I was going to be physically ill a few times during the race and I made myself think of him and push on.  I thought about how gracefully he handled life and death and how much he loved others and was loved in return.  I cannot really say that I'm comforted because to be honest, I still lose it all the time because I miss him so much.  I know people say it gets better, but I'm not sure it does.  I think you just choose not to think about it as much and you feel a little better temporarily.  Anyhow...just my rambling thoughts.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.   Pier 39 videos soon!

New Post COMING SOON!

Sorry I've been MIA lately--new post VERY soon.  Just have to finish uploading my pics.  The race was excellent and I exceeded my goal of 45 minutes.  Actually, I finished in a little under 35 minutes!  Hope everyone is well and I'll post very very very soon--promise!!

LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE - 7 days

Cancer is defiant. So we're going to defy it. It's persistent. So we have to persevere. It's discouraging. So we must have courage. We are the LIVESTRONG Challenge - uniting people to pick a fight with cancer and to stand up for the nearly 12 million Americans living with cancer today.
Cancer doesn't discriminate, and neither do we. Whether you walk, run, ride, volunteer or donate, your participation is one more powerful weapon in the crucial fight against cancer.

Please visit my site: http://austin08.livestrong.org/haleyrader

Lee and I have been getting ready for the CHALLENGE and we're pretty pumped about doing a 5k for such a wonderful organization.  It is all about kicking cancer's butt; it is certainly getting mine in shape as well which is just an added perk!  Our team leader sent out an email today about a special person.  I never met him, but our entire team will be thinking about him next Saturday.  He lost his fight with cancer, but exceeded expectations by a full 18 months.  People just like him are fighting the battle every single day.  It is the least we can do to walk, run, ride, volunteer, or donate to help others.

In other news, Lee and I might get the opportunity to see the Texas vs. OK State game after the CHALLENGE.  We're so excited about that possibility.  We went to the Texas vs. Rice game a few weeks ago and even though it was a blow out had a blast.  I'll have to post some pictures soon--really bad with uploading pictures.  I'm like that commercial where the picture album has digital camera cards...you know the one?  Pathetic!!

Well, I'm off to California Sunday-Tuesday and North Carolina Thursday-Friday so I'm flying directly to Austin and Lee will meet me there.  In case I don't post before then everyone have a great week and spread the word about the LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE!!!  I'll leave you with a great picture of Libby and Lee.  He fell asleep after we helped my sister moved into her new place.  Evidently his back is comfortable--Lee never knew she was there!

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!

Longhorn football is awesome this year. So happy the Horns played a fantastic game and came out on top! On another note, I just turned on the LSU Florida game and the Gators are up 17-0. Go Gators!!!

Why doesn't Texas just float out into the Gulf of Mexico????? Cause OU sucks so much!! Shelley sent me that after the game.


Lee and I have had a busy weekend, and it is only Saturday. We cleaned out one of our extra bedrooms that has, until now, been full of storage stuff that doesn't really go anywhere in particular. You know how hard it is to keep paperwork in order at home--bills, insurance policies, birth cerificates, etc... All of that is now organized and we shredded three trash bags full of paper. That makes it sound like we don't ever clean--I swear we do! Everything just comes so quickly and I can't decide what to keep or shred, so I end up keeping way too much. We put up all sorts of stuff and have gotten organized. I don't know what my deal is but I've been in such a cleaning mood lately and Lee is so sweet to go with the flow and help out.

Lee has been busy working all week. He passed his RSET at work which is really good--all I know is that it is very important so we're happy he passed!! I have been all over the country as usual. Sunday/Monday in Memphis, TN and Thursday/Friday in Williamsburg, VA. Virginia was really pretty with all of the changing trees. I should have taken some pictures to post, but I forgot to bring my camera! I actually get to stay home for the next 7 days so it should be very exciting. I have a 3 day trip to northern California after that and I'll try to bring my camera for that!

Well, Lee says he is going to post something soon, so be looking for it to come. Please visit my website for the LIVESTRONG 2008 Challenge at http://austin08.livestrong.org/haleyrader and if you would like to donate, do so in whomever's honor/memory you wish. Until next time.....