Moving on up!

Today was my team's second duathlon and I am proud to say that instead of coming in second to last...  I moved up one spot and came in third (to last that is- haha)!!!  I shaved 15 minutes off of my original time from last month's duathlon!  Woohoo!  I'm getting stronger with each workout and it's feeling so great!!!  Of course, remembering why I am doing what I'm doing is my biggest motivator!  I am determined to make a small difference in the life of someone battling blood cancer and so thankful that I have the ability to do so!  GO TEAM!

Mini Photo Sessions in Sacramento!

In an effort to help me with my fund raising, Torrico Photography will be holding mini photo sessions in the Sacramento area!  This is an incredible offer that's valued at over $200! 

• 45 Minute Session
• 10 Artistically Edited Images
• Date, Time, and Location TBD
• $75 MINIMUM donation
• $125 MINIMUM donation includes a CD of all images*

*All donations will go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and will be accompanied by a tax receipt....  So you not only get fabulous pics but you get to make a difference too!

**Sessions can be booked from now until June.  All payments must be made by April 16th.

For more information or to book your session, email alvaro.torrico@mac.com

Goodbye DD

Lately I've felt like such a Debbie Downer, constantly questioning and over thinking even the most simple things.  I wasn't able to train for a few weeks and began to wonder if I could ever catch up or even worse, if I'd be able to finish the race with only seven more weeks to go.  This in addition to the preexisting concern over fund raising and I began to lose hope.  My vision was obviously skewed.

After some encouraging chats with my Team in Training coordinator, I began to see the light again.  I bravely went to my Saturday group workout this past weekend expecting the worst but hoping for the best (which for me was that I make it through the training without passing out or throwing up...)  Now, I'll be completely honest and confess that I did not ride the monstrous hills with the rest of the team but stayed on the smaller hills, which my coach laughingly called "The Flats."  It was challenging enough for me without trying to overdue it.  I did three loops on the trail which came out to about 18 miles, then I ran about 3 miles...  It felt great to be out there again!  Funny how a little exercise could lift your spirits!

Thank you God for endorphins- the natural pick me up :)  Goodbye DD, I don't plan to see you again in a very very long time!

Whew!

What a month this has been so far!  I apologize for not posting sooner, but the last few weeks have really been quite eventful.  I'll spare you the details and give you the reader's digest version instead:

February 23 - 28: Trip to Honolulu, which involved a workweek from you know where for Al, Emira catching a cold on the plane and developing a bad cough, and drum roll please...  A tsunami warning!  We did manage to squeeze in some nice family meals at Duke's, a few walks in Waikiki, a visit to the Dole Plantation, and a sunset dinner cruise...  I'll ignore the fact that I got horribly sea sick!

March 1 - 8: Trip to Em's doctor on Monday.  Al departs to Texas on Tuesday for work.  Em and I depart to Dallas on Thursday.  Emira catches a stomach virus that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite (poor baby.)  Photography fundraiser on Saturday.  Trip to Urgent Care on Sunday :(  Depart from Dallas on Monday.  Get home at midnight.  Again, it wasn't all bad since we got to stay with good friends and catch up a little :)

March 9 - today: Emira is getting better slowly but we're playing it safe and keeping her home.  Her two front teeth have decided to come in this week too so poor Em has not been her happy self but we're all working through it ;)

I guess that's life for you, just a series of twists and turns.  I just thank God for renewed strength and healing!  Tomorrow is a new day!!