2006 Winter Team

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More from Nancy & Pat Flanakin:
From Gary Sharpen:
From Nancy & Pat Flanakin:
Sniped from the Houston Chronicle:
From Bill Dwyer:

W ow! Team Woodlands is awesome! You guys must be like a legend or something. A woman from the Clear Lake training area was bringing it home for her first marathon. Her goal was to beat the sweeper and she was walking on the home stretch down that last long street when I popped in beside her. She told me she started early and all she wanted was to get in by 1:00 and that was her dream. She had 10 more minutes. I showed her the finish banner in the distance and assured her that she was strong enough to keep her pace and go for it and she could do it. I asked her name. It was Lan. (she even spelled it... anyone who can spell their own name at that point can keep the pace and finish strong!) I asked her where she trained. She said with the Clear Lake group. I told her she was about to realize her dream. She turned and looked at me for the first time and asked my name. I told her I'm Carol with The Woodlands group. She said, "Oh! The Woodlands... that group is SO awesome. They are really, really good!" Of course, I already held that opinion but it surprised me to hear that another training group had been thinking of our training group like that. You guys made a name for yourselves!

You all did such a fine job and we are so pleased and happy for you. One of the most touching things, along with getting to know you and watch you succeed, was to watch the pride and love and emotions on your family's faces. There were multiple times on the course that I was moved by seeing family running along side you. When they turned off and watched you carry on, the tears in their eyes and seeing them carried away with their love and emotion and pride in your accomplishment... was literally breathtaking. Such emotion is exquisite. It makes us thankful to be part not just the race, but the human race.

Did we ever mention, during training, the Frankenstein walk that you would be doing getting out of bed the morning after the race? Did we mention you would do that every time you stood up to walk that day? Did we mention the unique new ability you would develop to use your hands and arms to lower and raise yourself from the commode seat for the next 3 or so days? Well... there was probably a reason you only heard all that briefly, if at all. Now that you are at this point, just be assured it will get better and you will even start to be sad when that soreness wears away as the week goes on. As much as a relief as that will be, it is sort of a reminder of what an awesome thing you just accomplished. And as I discussed with some of you... you will soon learn why we stick together with our new-found running and walking friends. After experiencing something of this magnitude you want to talk about your experience. Primarily because ... it is really all you can think about still. But pretty soon your non-running friends will start to glaze over as you talk and then eventually, they will run away when they see you because they know you will ultimately start talking about your marathon... again. Well. Your running friends get that. You can talk and talk and talk and we will listen. Heck, we even respond with enthusiasm and offer back experiences and moments of our own. So, you see... you will drift back to us because we share this experience. And we like you and want to discuss these things ad nauseam. We have no problem with this.

As I do a little bit of the Monster Mash myself today, my thoughts are with you, that AWESOME TEAM WOODLANDS! CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL ON A JOB WELL DONE!

Coach Carol

A You did it! You did what you set out to do and you should be proud of your accomplishment. In August, crossing the finish line seemed like a dream. Now it’s a reality. What an inspiration you all are to me. Thank you for training hard and raising all that money. Your heroic act of sacrificing your time and energy will stick with me forever. Dean & Cherish, I include you both in this. You both worked as hard as everyone else and I’m sorry your bodies became too ill to race, but you were both as much a part of Team Woodlands as everyone else and you will heal and get out there again. And, Dean, congratulations to you on being CANCER FREE!!!

I remember crossing the finish line in my first triathlon and thinking “will anything ever be this exciting again?” Then I saw my children cross the finish line in their first triathlon and thought, “Now that was more exciting than my own.”

When I crossed the finish line in my first marathon I thought “will anything ever be this exciting again?” Then I saw y’all cross the finish line in your first and thought “Now that was more exciting than my own.” I know you’re not my children, but you have become cherished friends and teammates so I was proud of you all day long. Not long after I saw the elite runners pass by mile 12, I saw Super Sue VanNatta pass by looking strong even though she’d pulled out her back the day before. A few minutes later I saw Joe Martinez and then my wonderful husband Bill Crews. I felt such pride knowing they were all injured or sick but pressing through anyway. As each of you passed by, I was inspired. You worked so hard to get there and you were accomplishing your goal. I loved that Rick Ames was out there being a support to the full marathoners. Only a week after running Disney in horrible weather, he was out there running miles and miles up and down that course, cheering and encouraging you. I see a future coach in you, Rick!

I was especially proud of you all when you were in those last few miles, hurting and weary and wanting desperately to stop, but you kept going anyway. You proved how tough and strong you are. Don’t ever forget that. Missie, you ran through excruciating pain for 26.2 miles. You could have stopped, but didn’t. Stephen, as exhausted as you were, you kept going and even encouraged Gary as you went. You two amazed me with your spirit and drive. Gloria, you survived cancer and a marathon. Now you know there’s nothing you can’t do! Same to you Brad Clinkscale! And to Amby who fought alongside him against leukemia and ran alongside him to the finish line. And Marilyn, you defied your pain and finished the half marathon with a smile.

Natalie, it was a privilege for me to run alongside you til you got to mile 26. It was a long, hard race for you and when you wanted to quit, you did not. Susan Breslin, what a strong lady you were out there with an injured (maybe broken) ankle! Great job Susan Wheeler. Your attitude through the season was great and you didn’t run out of water on that course, did you? And Kyhia, although it was a huge commitment for such a busy mom, you did it, Girl! Desirae, what a gorgeous smile! Every time I saw you, you looked happy and it touched my heart. Michelle and Stewart, y’all are such an adorable couple and filled with great spirit. How touching it was to see your photos on your backs and such a reminder of why we’re all running. Same to you, Emily, with your dad’s name on your back. I know he was cheering for you from Heaven and just as proud of you as we all are. Shelley, you were drained of energy in the beginning, but kept going like a tough soldier and then when I saw you again after you had finished, you looked like a super star athlete. Maggie, you rocked out there (even though I didn’t get to see you) and I’m proud that you finished and in such a good time. Steve Felson, I really enjoyed running with you up the “hill”. You’re always so upbeat even out there pounding the pavement. Doug, you finished and in plenty of time and you looked strong and happy. Teresa, you should be proud of your finish as I’m sure your mom is proud of you for doing this for her honor. Alma, you had a bigger smile than anyone and I have a feeling you will be out there again. Laura & Heather, you both have bragging rights. You were good friends to each other and finished your race with smiles and laughter. Tracy, you looked so strong even though you probably didn’t feel that way. When I saw you at the end, you looked like you had just begun. Shirley, it was a very hard season filled with great difficulty for you. I’m honored to know you and I look forward to you going for another race someday. Rhonda, you did it for Rick and you should be proud. You’re a great caregiver and I’m looking forward to your getting more involved with LLS. Great job, Angie- you are always so tough and so darn cute even after you’ve run 26 miles! Way to go Meghan, Ruthie, Earline, Amanda, Cristina and Joni on finishing and having to do most of your training on your own.

Nancy, you’ve been one of my best friends for nearly 20 years. Thank you for doing this for Bill & me, but don’t forget that this was mostly for YOU. Don’t any of you forget it. You all did something special for victims of blood cancer, but this race, this glorious moment of crossing that finish line, this victory is for YOU. Hold on to that feeling forever and let it remind you of the strength and courage you have deep inside your soul. As your body heals, let your spirit rejoice. You’re amazing and I thank you all for letting me be your coach this season. Hope to see you all at future events!

From your Starbucks Drinking Coach!
Dana-Susan

Team Woodlands Race Results