Team hike # 3, Briones Regional Park, Orinda

This week's hike was a challenge not because of the uphill climbs (of which there were a few!), but because of the extremely steep declines that took up the last 40 minutes of our 4 hour hike (the hike was supposed to be 3.5 hours, but we accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up going for 4 instead).

Trekking poles would have been very useful for this down hill sections and I'll have to seriously consider investing in a pair.

As you can tell by the photos, Briones is a very hilly area and although brown and not very colorful, the views were wonderful. Imagine what they'd look like in early to mid Spring!










Have been procrastinating on uploading my photos because I've been busy during the week making jewelry! Sold a number of items this week (one bulk order for bridesmaids gifts!!) and the total was nearly $180 towards my fundraising goal!

Will post more of my progress later on -- Go team!

Team Hike # 2, Coastal Trail, San Francisco

Today was a great way to spend an absolutely gorgeous Saturday. The sun was out, the breeze along the coast was miraculous, and the company from fellow team members was inspiring.

Today we had our first "clinic" where we talked about the different kind of gear we can purchase to make our hiking experience a better, more comfortable one. Staff members from Sports Basement showed us the various types of backpacks that are available, as well as hydration packs, different cool max clothing to help wick away moisture while we're on the trail, and things to munch on to boost our energy levels.

When we began our hike near Crissy Fields in San Francisco, it was pretty crowded - even at 9:30 in the morning! Tons of joggers, bicyclists, and dog walkers. All of us in our Team in Training gear, hiker boots, and back packs stood out like sore thumbs amongst the beach attire on nearly everyone else!

The view was absolutely AMAZING. I am talking million dollar views, people. Aren't you a lucky ducky that I'm sharing it with you for free? :)



The Coastal Trail runs from Oregon to Mexico and San Francisco is lucky enough to have a section all to itself!


The trail ranges from flat pavement, walking along busy beaches to climbing steep staircases and down again.
The majority of the trail was fairly easy for me, I recovered quickly after tackling a stair case and felt comfortable throughout the hike. My problem? The climb back up these:


Sand covered suspended logs led the descent to Baker's Beach - an unofficial nude beach (I've spared you those photos!) where plenty of men made themselves comfortable. Only a few of us made it to the Beach and I'm sure the rest of the team were happy that they avoided the beach when they saw us making our way back up those logs.

The hike back was a breeze after those logs and we were all looking forward to getting back to the "trail head" to have our Honoree pot luck.

Four of our honorees spoke during the pot luck about some of the things that had changed in their lives since their diagnosis.

Honoree Jim shared his determination to continue enjoying life despite the difficultly of not being able to do the many things he was used to doing. This included the emotional toll of not being to ride a bike or hike with TNT. He is going to take his motor home to Tahoe for the Tahoe Rim event.

Christina shared the emotion of having friends come along side her and take her to therapy, research treatment and just be present. She also shared how tough it was to be alone during treatment and not have the support of some of her friends.

Laura shared how she has fought cancer as long as some participants have lived - including me! She first had Leukemia as a senior in high school and is now battling breast cancer as a result of the original treatment. Laura has learned to be grateful for the little things and has a great sense of humor. We will all remember her as we shave under our arms. Her hair did not grow back after the first chemo - a benefit she is grateful for.

Claus enjoys each day of life and was diagnosed in the 90's. This is his second time as an Honoree for the hike team and he is a superb hiker!

It was wonderful to listen to these people share their lives with us. Looking forward to next week!

Fundraising update: So far with your help, I've raised $550 - thank you!

Buddy hike # 1 Redwood Regional Park, Oakland

East Bay Hike Team, SF Chapter

Today's hike started off on a foggy note. In fact, it was so foggy that fellow team mate and new friend Christina and I got lost on the way to the park. Getting lost is a common occurrence for both of us, it seems, and the thick morning fog in the Oakland Hills was not helping us reach our destination. After driving 10 minutes past the appropriate turn, we realized we'd made a mistake and we turned around. Better late than never, we arrived at Skyline Gate in Redwood Regional Park and met with the East Bay Hike team of the SF Chapter.

Hitting the trail at about 8:30 am I snapped a few quick photos of the morning fog beginning to burn off.

We quickly descended along the trail into the shaded forest (please note: descended!) and so began our 2.5 hour hike. Today's hike was the "buddy hike" - a much smaller version of the SF Chapter Hike Team (well over 35 people) with only 13 hikers all from the East Bay. Once a month we hike with our mentor and fellow local team mates; the other 3 weeks of the month we hike as a whole chapter. With in the first 10 minutes, the group slowly began to separate as we each discovered our own pace and comfort level with the trail.


Christina and I learned that we have a well matched pace on the trail, both flat and up hill so after carpooling and hiking together we had plenty of time to get to know one another. Hurray for making new friends!


The hike out was quicky, relatively easy, and was over before we could eat a Clif Bar. But remember the descent that I mentioned. The hike back was uphill - not very steep. But oh boy...it's a great way to wake up in the morning. =)


Finishing about 20 minutes earlier than planned, Christina and I enjoyed a delicious Builders bar that tasted like mint chocolate chip ice cream! I took a 3 hour nap when I got home. It's gonna be a fun season, ladies and gentlemen.

Things I learned today:

1. What is a bone marrow transplant?

For years all I've heard about is the painful, absolutely horrible surgery a donor must endure in order to give their bone marrow to a patient. But I'll admit, I didn't know what the transplant actually was, how it was done, why it was done, and that the supposed "painful surgery" is no longer really necessary to donate. I learned today that a bone marrow transplant is simply the transfer of stem cells that have been taken out (through an I.V.), filtered through a machine, and then either given back to the same person to whomever you're donating the stem cells, too.

2. The steps of Bone Marrow and PBSC Donations

For patients, it's all about finding the right match. For someone that has many siblings or family members that may not be a challenge. But for someone that is a minority, an only child, perhaps adopted - finding a suitable match becomes more difficult and this is where the "Be the Match Registry" comes in. With a simple cheek swab, your DNA will evaluated to determine if you are a possible match for a patient with a blood cancer. You may or may not ever be contacted, but all it takes is a quick swab that could potentially in the future be the key to opening the door to saving someone's life.

3. Trekking poles are uber useful.