AMERICAN NINJA WARRIORS

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Steve Cannon

Sometimes it’s better to let others do the talking. The following blog is from one of the participants in this summer’s Million Dollar Marathon. You can still apply to join the team here.

Well said Brady!!!

Training “officially” started on Saturday and I was dodging so many puddles that I felt like a contestant on American Ninja Warrior. Within the first few minutes my feet were soaked and I was feeling pretty underwhelmed by my inaugural run. That was, until I got to Lake Harriet and came upon hundreds of runners partaking in the 100% Irish for A Day 5K and 10 mile run. Conveniently, I needed to run 10 miles anyway and it is much more entertaining to do it amongst packs of runners in kilts, green tights and Lucky Charm-style hats and sunglasses. I normally do not condone “race-crashing,” but I was able to justify it on this special occasion.

It struck me as I ran in these less than preferable conditions that this summer when the MDM team runs across the country, chances are we will encounter adverse conditions like these, or perhaps worse. My mind was spinning as I contemplated the implications of this for the first time. Most of us are following Hal Higdon’s marathon training guide, (which, I agree that it is the best out there), but even Hal can’t prepare us for driving rain in the Pacific Northwest, snow in the Rocky Mountains, or gale-force winds across the Great Plains. You can’t train for these conditions…it takes courage, heart, dedication. Then I remembered who I was running with…CANCER SURVIVORS AND SUPPORTERS. My teammates have been through far worse obstacles in life, and it would be tough to assemble a team better prepared for this challenge.

I then realized that during my state of panic, I had increased my pace considerably without a noticeable increase in effort. I had gone to a place mentally that took me to a different level on my training run. I remember this “runners high” from past long runs and races I have run, and every time I wish I could bottle it up. The closest I can get is to recreate the formula that got me to this place on Saturday:  1) listen to good music, 2) envision yourself in the Rocky Mountains in a rainstorm; and lastly, picture running into the Atlantic Ocean with 159 friends and teammates. If you aren’t overcome with emotion at least once during your run, try again.

Now let’s get out there and become American Ninja Warriors.

Filed under: above and beyond cancer, cancer, Inspiration, Livestrong, marathon, Running | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Hammer Nutrition!! Great Article!! Thank You!!

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Steve Cannon

If you are an Endurance Athlete wanna be (of which I consider myself a proud member) there are few higher honors than getting featured in Hammer’s Endurance News. It is a 112 page magazine that is incredibly well done. Hope you enjoy the read!! Check out PAGE 82 !!!

Might be someone you know.

Find the incredible adventurer within each of you!!!

 

Livestrong!!

Filed under: cancer, Lance Armstrong, Livestrong, Running | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

YOU SAVE LIVES!!!!!! ( A Letter to Me and YOU)

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Steve Cannon

Dear Steve,

It’s easy to remember the crucial factor that helped me finally get my life, and myself, back after cancer—people.

After four months of intensive chemo, I was lost. Felt tired all the time. My hair still wasn’t growing back. I couldn’t get used to my “new normal”—and I didn’t want to. Thanks to two amazing Lance Armstrong Foundation programs that connected me with other survivors going through the same thing, I didn’t have to.

They gave me a network of support—people who had my back and let me know it every day. That made all the difference in my fight. And I’m proud to report that I just completed my first triathlon ever!

This LIVESTRONG Day, you have the chance to be there for millions of survivors like me, all around the world, in an incredibly powerful way. But you have to act quickly.

Share a message for cancer survivors today and it will automatically post to your Facebook account on LIVESTRONG Day—next Tuesday—as part of a historic outpouring of support.

On LIVESTRONG Day—October 2—people around the world are coming together to do something extraordinary. For one full day, we’ll share more than 100,000 personal messages simultaneously on Facebook and Twitter in the largest global show of support for survivors in history.

Even better, every message means another dollar will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to put into programs like the ones that turned my life around—Cancer Transitions and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA.

As a cancer survivor, I can tell you it’s going to be an amazing moment for survivors and supporters everywhere. But we all need to get involved to make it happen.

Share your message of support to be a part of an unprecedented global support network for the world’s 28 million cancer survivors:

LIVESTRONGDay.org

I can’t wait for this massive LIVESTRONG Day event because, quite honestly, if it wasn’t for the substantial work of the Lance Armstrong Foundation I wouldn’t be where I am today. I hope you take part.

Thank you for all you do to support the Foundation and survivors like me,

Alyson Achorn

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THE MILLION DOLLAR MARATHON

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Steve Cannon

Hello Everybody!! Hope you are having a great day!!

It is said that the only thing better than accomplishing your dreams is to help others accomplish theirs!! Next summer (2013), sometime around June 1st I will do that….117 times!!!!! I have been fortunate enough to realize many of my running dreams, each of them with the help of others!! I ran my first 5k in Manitou Springs in 1998 (granted that one was more to meet girls), my first 10 miler later that summer in the Garden of the Gods, The Chicago Marathon in 2000, Iowa Crossing in 2009 and Circumnavigating Lake Michigan this past summer. Each journey was similar in that all were a venture into the unknown. Can I go that far, what if I can’t, how do I do it?? It is an awesome journey to take, setting a goal beyond that which you know to be possible. When you accomplish that goal, the high is almost indescribable and best of all you are perched to then go even HIGHER!! I’d like to help YOU do just that.

It is just over 3000 miles to cross the United States from New York City to San Francisco California. It will take 117 runners, each running a marathon and handing the LIVESTRONG baton to the next runner, about 28 days to cross the U.S.. The baton will never stop. Each participant will have a fundraising goal of $10,000. When we get to San Francisco, if we have all reached our goal, that is $1.17 Million dollars raised for the 28 Million Cancer Fighters worldwide. I’ll be in the support RV cheering and helping each runner the entire way.  In doing so, WE will help all those in the fight for their lives.  You want in on this????

Stay tuned….

LIVESTRONG

Filed under: cancer, Lance Armstrong, Livestrong, Running | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

It’s Not About The Run

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Steve Cannon

Years ago, Lance Armstrong wrote a book called “It’s Not About the Bike”. I did not realize at the time that this book would change my life. If you have yet to read the book, I would suggest giving it a look. The title is true to the content. Bike riding is a part of the book obviously, but this is a book about LIFE.

28 Million people live with this disease worldwide. Staggering.

I have a couple “rules” I try my best to live by. IF, and that is a HUGE if, we are fortunate enough to have our health than we have 2 basic obligations. One is to honor ourselves by living our life as BIG and full as we can. Be the best Parent, volunteer, adventurer, the best you that you can be. Second, and I believe even more important is to use that health to benefit those who are not so lucky.

On May 27th I’ll begin a 40 day Run around Lake Michigan which will amount to a marathon a day; give or take. It’s not about THE RUN. It is about doing something that brings attention to the number one killer of our fellow man. While great groups like the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia/Lymphoma society raise millions to end this disease, The Lance Armstrong Foundation works to help those diagnosed with Cancer live, beat and sometimes lose the battle with Cancer on THEIR terms.

 

As I Forrest Gump my way around Lake Michigan it will not be about THE RUN. It will be about  40 days bringing attention to this disease and raising money and awareness to help all those who are or will be diagnosed with Cancer. I invite you to join me. Come run with me, share this with all you know, donate, whatever moves you. 

 See you at Lake Michigan….

LIVESTRONG

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Watch Out For This Girl!!!!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Steve Cannon

I’d like you all to meet Jenn Gibbons..Bad a$$ rower, cancer fighter and VERY live wire!! (and our first guest blogger)

 

Recently Jonny Imerman of Imerman’s Angels introduced me via email to Steve Cannon-a man that is running 40 marathons in 40 days to kick cancer’s ass. Jonny connected us because while I’m rowing the perimeter of Lake Michigan this summer-Steve will be running it.  Good cancer fighting people connecting good cancer fighting people-you really can’t go wrong.
 
Starting June 15th I will row the entire 1,500 mile perimeter of Lake Michigan. This attempt will make me the first person to ever attempt and complete this very unique row.  As part of the challenge I am raising funds and awareness for Recovery on Water (ROW), a charitable organization that I co-founded and which serves as a rowing team for survivors of breast cancer giving them the opportunity to speed their recovery time and lower their risk of recurrence. You can read about our programs and the women we work with here: www.recoveryonwater.org/testimonials.
 
I think that one of the most inspiring parts of my journey-since the very beginning when I decided to do this trip (over two years ago!)-are the amazing people I’ve met along the way. I haven’t even left yet-and I feel as though my life has been changed forever.
 
After our email introduction, Steve called me and it seems that we “crazy adventure cancer fighters” (yep, I just came up with that) have a lot in common. An hour went by and everything from training tips and chaffing cream to planning meals and fundraising came up in conversation.
 
Steve’s trip is so inspiring. He’s starting from Chicago May 27 and running north along the Wisconsin coast. I wish I could catch up with him somehow-but along with a head start-he’ll also be running a lot faster than Liv and I can cover water.  He’s raising funds for the Livestrong Foundation and blogging at theruntocurecancer.com. To follow my rowing adventure, you can visit row4row.org. Follow our progress as we take on Lake Michigan—donate to either of our great causes—and get inspired to take on a challenge of your own! 

Thank you Jenn!! See you in Chicago Girl!! This is no ordinary girl and so you have an idea…this is no ordinary boat. She ain’t just rowing Lake Michigan..she will eat , sleep, and well you can fill in the rest, on this boat!! 60 Days on the water!!

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YOU’RE INVITED..AND SO ARE YOU AND YOU AND YOU

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Steve Cannon

On Sunday May 27th, the Run to Cure Cancer will kick off from Navy Pier. Show of hands….Who out there has had Cancer affect their life somehow? Has someone you love been taken; is your friend in the battle?  Do you know someone that has survived the disease? I can say yes to all three. I’ll bet each of you reading this can as well.

May 27th we will honor them all!! We’ll meet around 8 am at Harry Caray’s on Navy Pier with the run starting  at 9. The first day event is “Run a Marathon, Run a Mile”. If you are a survivor, battling the disease or running for someone who is, ALL are invited. Whatever your distance, whatever your pace it makes no difference. Each of us will run that day to celebrate life and show those that are in the fight that we are all in this together. If one person on this planet has Cancer than in some way we all do. We’re all connected.

See you there,

Steve

Filed under: cancer, Lance Armstrong, Livestrong, Running | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

70,000 YOUNG ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Steve Cannon

Take a moment and remember your college years. Your in your late teens, early twenties, not a care in the world…remember??? What about YOUR children, do you have kids entering that awesome, carefree, possibilities endless phase of life? Now imagine YOU at that age, or your kids now being told THEY have Cancer. I cannot even imagine the shock and then the reality of not having a clue what the hell to do. Your donation to The Run to Cure Cancer helps fund LIVESTRONG initiatives like Planet Cancer.

From Livestrong.org…Planet Cancer was founded by young adults in their 20s; either in the midst of or barely out of treatment for cancer. Not only had they endured the incredible indignity of a cancer diagnosis in what should have been the best years of health, they had also all suffered from an immense void in services and support for young cancer patients. The majority of the other patients they encountered were separated by mental, emotional and physical lifetimes. As young adults with cancer, they felt that they had fallen through the cracks, and they wanted to reach out to others having the same experience.

 

 

Every year, nearly 70,000 young adults between 18 and 40 will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., representing nearly 7 percent of all cancer diagnoses. The young adults served by Planet Cancer are marginalized in a medical infrastructure that does not have a “home” for them, lacking specific resources geared toward their unique needs and issues. Survival rates for this age group have not improved in over 30 years, yet the medical community still doesn’t recognize young adults as a specific group in need of unique medical, emotional and psychosocial tools.

Planet Cancer exists to provide a critical community of peer support and advocacy for young adults with cancer.

We’re here to connect young adults with each other, to empower them and to help them access support and resources they wouldn’t have known about otherwise. We’re also here to raise our voices in the medical and research communities on behalf of young adults; to say: Young adults do get cancer. We do have unique needs. Our survival rates are not improving. Don’t let us fall through the cracks for one more minute.

Planet Cancer is a LIVESTRONG initiative

Your donation changes/saves these peoples lives!!!!

Filed under: Livestrong, Running, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

YOU Are Changing…Saving People’s Lives

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Steve Cannon

When you make a donation to The Run to Cure Cancer, I wonder if you realize just what you are doing. I mean….it is an incredible thing to dip into your own pocket and give to something that does not directly benefit you or your family. That act in and of itself is something to be very proud of!! It struck me though just the other day that I wondered if any of you REALLY know what you are doing. Your donation improves and in some cases saves the life of someone diagnosed with Cancer. People are living longer, better, STRONGER because of YOU. Please take a moment and let that sink in. Someone, somewhere who you don’t know and will probably never meet will have a better quality of life after Cancer because of YOU!! In 2010 Nearly 29 Million Dollars went to the numerous programs that grassroot fundraisers like you help to fund. Over the next couple months we’ll be sharing with you some of those programs so you can see first hand the gift YOU are giving. The video is a piece on a program called “Livestrong at the YMCA”.

From Survivors everywhere, Thank YOU. YOU are amazing

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THE MESSAGE

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Steve Cannon

Please share The Run To Cure Cancer 2012 with all you know. Together we can end Cancer for good.

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