Week Eleven .... with 11 miles!

This week was our 11th week of training, and it was so appropriate that we were up to running 11 miles this week! This is the longest run that many of our participants have ever done, and everyone did such an amazing job! This is also the longest run that we will complete before heading to Las Vegas in THREE SHORT WEEKS, and it really helped to pump up our participants! We did our run this week at the Chattahoochee River at Columns Drive. Many of our participants opted to run 5 miles on Columns Drive and finish the remaining 6 on the trails by the river, while others chose to do the full 11 miles on the river trails. Regardless, it was a great run and everyone did awesome! It was a cold morning, but gives our Team Georgia folks a chance to experience running in the cold weather! Make sure to layer and to prepare for these temperatures in Vegas!

In the next few weeks, we will be tapering our training schedule to prepare for the big run. We are in the final countdown and our team is ready!

Halloween with Team Challenge!

Over Halloween weekend, Team Challenge had a brisk 9-mile run through Decatur! Our participants were challenged to come up with their best costume and we had some awesome creativity!


Chris was a super hero .... out to battle the evil Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis!



Karin, aka Hit Girl, and Amanda, aka the running clown!

It was fun to run in costume and to have lots of (good) stares from the community!



And of course, Angel, had an awesome costume! Team Challenge participants should all be on the front of a Wheaties box .... they're amazing!

Introducing .... Lindsay!

1. What's your name? Lindsay Sullivan

2. What's your occupation? teacher


3. What's your favorite sports team? Georgia Bulldogs!!!!


4. How did you get involved with Team Challenge? orignally looking into volunteering at Camp Oasis and while I was on the CCFA website I saw Team Challenge. A family friend was recently diagnosed with Crohn's so I knew I had to do it!!!!


5. Do you have an honored teammate? Yes, Nick Marion (14 year old boy)


6. If there was 1 song playing when you entered into a room, what would it be? Keith Urban - These Are the Days


7. Have you ever been to Vegas before and what are you looking forward to the most while we're there? never been...never been out of the Eastern/Central time zone so looking forward to getting out of my "bubble"...also looking forward to corssing the finish line!!!!

8. What do you miss most about your childhood? playing outside until after dark

9. What phrase/phrases do you say a lot? I'm told that instead of saying "No, thank you" I always say "Actually, I'm good" ....I'm not convinced that I do but that's what I'm told :)

This is Lindsay and her honored teammate, Nick! You can check out her fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/LVLSulliv

Introducing .... Alexis!

1. What's your name? Alexis Story



2. Are you from Atlanta originally? If not, where did you grow up? Born in Sacramento, CA but only lived there for 8 months. Grew up in Slidell, LA until 11 and then Cincinnati, OH until 17



3. How did you get involved with Team Challenge? My friend Amanda Ramsey told me about it and I was interested because of the entire process - goal setting, a great trip, and the fundraising to a great cause



4. Have you ever played sports, been athletic, run, or participated in a half marathon before? I played sports throughout high school, have always been athletic, am a nationally certified yoga teacher, but never trained for or participated in a half



5. If there was 1 song playing when you entered into a room, what would it be? Bubble Toes by Jack Johnson



6. What is your favorite food? (Can we settle for Top 3?) Avocados, Popcorn, Creme Brulee (but definitely all at very separate times!)

11. Favorite color? teal-blue/green





14. What phrase/phrases do you say a lot? I LOVE YOU!







You can check out Alexis' fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/LVAStory

Injury Free!

This past weekend, we met at Big Peach Running Company -- Brookhaven for an injury prevention clinic and a lovely 7-mile run!

We are so lucky to have Dr. Peebles from Atlanta Foot and Ankle to be such a big supporter of Team Challenge. He came and gave a wonderful presentation about foot and ankle health and about the mechanics of running. He so graciuosly brought our team copies of his partner's book and if we are all lucky and careful, we will have an injury-free finish at the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon with Team Challenge Georgia!

This is Dr. Peebles giving his presentation. We are all so greatful to him for his time and energy -- especially early on a Saturday morning!

After the clinic, we set out to the streets of Brookhaven for a lovely 7-mile run! The weather was perfect, and the neighborhood we ran in was beautiful! I'm pretty sure we all picked out our future homes! :)

Here are a few pictures from before and after our run this weekend ....

Mentor Ross --- always has a smile on!

Our team huddle --- "When I say Team, you say Challenge!"

And even after our run, everyone looks good and feels ACCOMPLISHED!

Way to go Team Challenge Georgia .... you're all doing amazing!

Introducing .... Dalit!

1. What's your name? Dalit Pollak

2. Are you from Atlanta originally? If not, where did you grow up? I was born in Israel, but moved to Atlanta when I was 6 years old

3. What's your occupation? Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

4. What's your favorite sports team? Atlanta Falcons and Florida Gators

5. If there was 1 song playing when you entered into a room, what would it be? Sexy Chick by Akon LOL!!!

6. What is your favorite food? Chocolate....wait is that really a food? :)

7. What do you miss most about your childhood? No responsibilities

8. What phrase/phrases do you say a lot? Whatever, No worries, Are you kidding me??

Dalit is a wonderful mentor this season! She was a participant in 13.1 Boston with Team Challenge Georgia last season!

6 Miles ..... CHECK!

We had a great run this morning at Cochran Shoals park -- right on the Chattahoochee River! Our team is up to 6 miles this week, and everyone looked so strong! There were several groups of runners, run/walkers, and walkers ... everyone going at their own pace, but most importantly, everyone GOING! Team Challenge Georgia is so awesome this season and we are training hard to be strong out in Las Vegas and fundraising even harder to find a cure!

Check out some pictures of our awesome mentors and participants from this morning's run!


Cindy, Karin, Anna, Sarah, and Dalit



Jared and Anna



Dalit, Ross, and Mary (beautiful even with a silly face!)




Brandi, Sarah, and Yanice

EKIDEN! EKIDEN!

Team Georgia had it's first team at the Ekiden Relay last weekend! What a blast! The team consisted of six members and each member had to run a 3.4 mile loop around Piedmont Park. We were not the fastest team, but we were not the slowest either! We were able to raise awareness and have a great time while doing it! I can't wait until next year! Hopefully, we can get a few more Team Challenge teams in the race.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to Angel Whitworth, our amazing endurance manager and heart of Team Challenge Georgia!

Day in and day out, she's a spunky lady .... you never know what she will come up with next!

She's certainly a warrior, too! Angel is so tough, encouraging, and the best support you could ask for!

I think we'll all agree that we prefer our sweet Angel WITHOUT pink hair .... maybe orange would be a nice touch, though!

Team Challenge Georgia is so lucky have Angel on our team! She will be the biggest support as we make our way down the Las Vegas strip and cross the finish line after 13.1 miles! Make sure to wish Angel a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We love you!!!

Introducing .... Catie!

1. What's your name? Catie Helms

2. Are you from Atlanta originally? If not, where did you grow up? Kind of. I've lived here since I was 6, but lived other places before then. I consider myself an Atlantan.

3. What's your occupation? Account Executive for a Cosmetic Brush Manufacturer

4. What's your favorite sports team? Georgia Bulldogs

5. Have you ever played sports, been athletic, run, or participated in a half marathon before?
I played basketball and soccer through high school. Been running on and off for years, but have never run a half marathon before.

6. If there was 1 song playing when you entered into a room, what would it be? This is hard. I would have to say "Let It Rock"

7. What is your favorite food? Another hard one, I love food. My fave is probably pasta or bread. I'm all about the carbs.

8. Have you ever been to Vegas before and what are you looking forward to the most while we're there? Yes, I have been once. I am mostly looking forward to the actual race and completing something amazing.

9. Favorite color? Pink

10. Do you drive the speed limit? No, I speed and can't stand slow drivers.

You can check out Catie's fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/LVCHelms

Introducing .... Amanda!

This segment will help you get to know a little about some of our fabulous participants, mentors, and coaches! We are so lucky to have such a great team!


1. What's your name? Amanda Christine Ramsey


2. Are you from Atlanta originally? If not, where did you grow up? No, I am originally from Perry, KS. I moved to Tampa, FL a little over 8 years ago and lived in FL for 8 years before moving to Atlanta with my husband, Shane, and son, Caleb.


3. What's your occupation? I am a full time mom, wife, homemaker, and volunteer. I work part time at Everybody Wins! Atlanta which is an amazing reading mentor program. I am the school coordinator for 2 of our 10 schools served in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. In addition to that, I also volunteer for various other things (Jr. Great books at my son's school, coaching Girls on the Run, and helping with a cat rescue organization).


4. Do you have an honored teammate? When I started Team Challenge I did not know anyone with Crohn's or Colitis so I picked Matt Capers to be my honored teammate. Since I have started Team Challenge I found out that a girl I went to school with has Colitis and now I feel I am doing this for her as well!


5. Have you ever been to Vegas before and what are you looking forward to the most while we're there? No, I have not been to Vegas before nor has my husband who will be coming along, too. Hmm, let's see, I have many things I am looking forward to! First of all, I am super excited to be participating with an amazing group of people to help find a cure! I am really looking forward to the bonding with the team during this trip. I know we will bond during training and leading up to the trip, but I think there will be even more closeness formed during the trip. I am also looking forward to running my very first 1/2 marathon and can't wait to feel the pride and sense of accomplishment that will come along with that. I am very excited to experience Vegas for my first time with my husband! December is our 5 year wedding anniversary and we plan on getting our vows renewed in one of the little chapels for something fun to do!!


6. What do you miss most about your childhood? What I miss most about my childhood is my brother. He passed away 10 years ago this coming March. We were pretty close and he always included me growing up even though I was 3 years younger!


7. Do you drive the speed limit? No. I pretty much NEVER drive the speed limit. I have a bit of a lead foot and I like to drive fast.

Amanda and her husband, Shane! He recently completed his first 1/2 marathon ... what a great family!

You can check out Amanda's fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/LVARamsey

Big Peach Sizzler 10K .... check!

This past weekend, our team participated in the Big Peach Sizzler 10K! For many participants, this was their very first race and it was a great time! The Big Peach Running Company is a huge sponsor of Team Challenge and we are so lucky to have such a great relationship with the store!

Some of our participants and mentors at the finish line!

For those that did not run in the race, Coach Max led a 4 mile run through Buckhead and down Peachtree Road! No matter how far we're running, we always have a great time!

Our endurance manager, Angel, crossing the finish line! Way to go ... you're looking good!

Team Challenge was a featured charity of the Big Peach Sizzler. They presented us with a check for $2,500! We are so thankful to the Big Peach!

Angel accepting our check at the awards ceremony!

Team Challenge also won an award for the largest team running the race! No matter where we go, Team Challenge GEORGIA is always a force to be reckoned with!

Some participants after the race with our check!

Our season is well under way, and we are having a great time! It's not too late to join us for an awesome season!

And we're off!

Our winter season of Team Challenge has officially started, and it's shaping up to be an amazing season! We have wonderful coaches, mentors, and so many awesome participants so far!

There is still plenty of time to get involved --- join us for a bonus information meeting on September 1st at 6pm at the CCFA office or on September 8th at 6:30 at the Toco Hills Library in Decatur. We'd love for you to be a part of our team!

We held our kickoff party this past weekend at Maggianos and had a great time. We got to meet our coaches, mentors, CCFA staff, and two of our honored teammmates! James did a wonderful job speaking and certainly motivated so many people to help raise money to find a cure for little kids like him!

Our wonderful coaches, Max and Mary!

Our youngest honored teammate, James, gave an awesome speech at our kickoff party!

By the end of our season, this board will be full of honored teammates --- those who are fighting the battle against Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis!

Congratulations to our Team Challenge Team!! These dedicated participants trained for 16 weeks, raised 2.2 million dollars for Crohn's and colitis research and patient services and completed the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 27, 2010 We are incredibly proud of Team Georgia for their amazing efforts!


If you are interested in our next Team Challenge season, dust off your blue suede running shoes because Team Challenge will be taking our team once again to the:

Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada

This event is going to SPECTACULAR!!! The Competitor Group is setting up the course of your dreams with the entertainment to match. The whole strip will be closed down JUST FOR YOU!


The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is the official charity of the Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon and Team Challenge will have a HUGE presence there! Last year, we had over 1000 runners and walkers and this year will be bigger and better!


Information meetings for the Las Vegas event start August 14th. RSVP for one today!


Finally...a sure-fire win in Las Vegas!
Finally... A Vegas experience that doesn't have to stay in Vegas!
Finally...You can help find a cure for Crohn's & Colitis!

Congratulations to our Team Challenge Team!! These dedicated participants trained for 16 weeks, raised 1.8 million dollars for Crohn's and colitis research and patient services and completed the 13.1 Boston Half Marathon on Sunday, June 27th! We are incredibly proud of Team Georgia for their amazing efforts! Let's wish the Georgia participants that are running in Napa in two weeks the best of luck too!

Ih you are interested in our next Team Challenge season, dust off your blue suede running shoes because Team Challenge will be taking our team once again to the:

Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada

This event is going to SPECTACULAR!!! The Competitor Group is setting up the course of your dreams with the entertainment to match. The whole strip will be closed down JUST FOR YOU!

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is the official charity of the Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon and Team Challenge will have a HUGE presence there! Last year, we had over 1000 runners and walkers and this year will be bigger and better!

Information meetings for the Las Vegas event start August 14th. RSVP for one today!

Finally...a sure-fire win in Las Vegas!
Finally... A Vegas experience that doesn't have to stay in Vegas!
Finally...You can help find a cure for Crohn's & Colitis!

Missed Out On Boston or Napa? Don't Worry, Come To Las Vegas!

In less than three weeks Team Georgia will be headed to Boston! If you missed out on this event don't worry! You still have a chance to be a part of this FANTASTIC team!

Dust off your blue suede running shoes because Team Challenge will be taking our team once again to the:

Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada

This event is going to SPECTACULAR!!! The Competitor Group is setting up the course of your dreams with the entertainment to match. The whole strip will be closed down JUST FOR YOU!

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is the official charity of the Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon and Team Challenge will have a HUGE presence there! Last year, we had over 1000 runner and walkers and this year will be bigger and better!

Information meetings for the Las Vegas event start August 14th. RSVP for one today!

Finally...a sure-fire win in Las Vegas!
Finally... A Vegas experience that doesn't have to stay in Vegas!
Finally...You can help find a cure for Crohn's & Colitis!

Team Challenge Warriors!

Team Georgia sent it's most dedicated and experienced warriors to Mountain City, GA on Sunday, May 23rd to compete in the Warrior Dash!

This three mile run has a few more challenges than your average 5k! Participants scaled walls, walked on water, jumped over fire, swam over logs, hiked through the forrest and crawled through mud!

This was a great team building exercise for all who participated. Our warriors can't wait to do it again next year! What's not to love about a race that gives you a medal, a t-shirt, a big fuzzy viking hat and a pants full of mud!

If you want to join the fun with Team Challenge go to http://www.ccteamchallenge.org/ and RSVP for an information meeting. We are taking our team to Las Vegas in December!

Viva Las Vegas!!!

The Team Challenge Georgia Chapter is pleased to announce our event for the winter season! Dust off your blue suede running shoes because Team Challenge will be taking our team once again to the:

Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada

This event is going to SPECTACULAR!!! The Competitor Group is setting up the course of your dreams with the entertainment to match. The whole strip will be closed down JUST FOR YOU!
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is the official charity of the Rock N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon and Team Challenge will have a HUGE presence there! Last year, we had over 1000 runner and walkers and this year will be bigger and better!

Information meetings for the Las Vegas event start August 14th. RSVP for one today!

Finally...a sure-fire win in Las Vegas!

Finally... A Vegas experience that doesn't have to stay in Vegas!

Finally...You can help find a cure for Crohn's & Colitis!

Honore Teammate Update

Our sweet honored teammate James was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after his colonoscopy because his blood count was too low. His parents, TC teammates Ross and Amelia, are waiting for the Red Cross to find a match for James- since he has antibodies in his blood this makes it a little more complicated and they have to be patient. They are giving him a treatment of Remicaide right now and hopefully he will respond to this. If not, or if he has another flare within 4 weeks they are looking at surgery to remove his colon. James is THREE YEARS OLD!! Folks, if this does not motivate you to help find a cure, I don’t know what will. We need to find a cure and we need to find it fast! This weekends training session will be dedicated especailly to James.

Please keep the Wakefield’s in your thoughts and prayers! If you would like to help be a part of the cure, please make a donation! The money rasied through Team Challenge goes to fund research and patient services, so hopefully kids like James will have a great quality of life and have a cure in his lifetime.

Team Challenge Georgia Mentors To Be Wed This Weekend!

Congratualtions to Team Challenge Georgia Mentors Jordan Heitz and Charles Hurd! Our fantastic mentors and pancake makers will be wed on Saturday in the brides hometown in Kentucky. The happy couple will be going to Costa Rica for their honeymoon. Congratulations to Jordan and Charles from the whole Team Challenge family!

GO DR.K!!

Our own Team Challenge participant Dr. Subra Kugathasan has not only raised THOUSANDS of dollars for Team Challenge, he is now "famous"! Fox 5 Atlanta did an amazing piece on a young lady that has Crohn's disease and the risky but ground breaking treatment that she underwent to help her have a better quality of life. Check out the video! GO DR. K!!!

Team Challenge Summer Season Is About To Begin!

We are just days away from the start of our summer season! Join Team Challenge, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's half marathon program and train to run or walk a half marathon (13.1 miles), while you help find a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

You can make history as Team Challenge hits Boston for the first time! Get the ultimate tour of Boston with Team Challenge, the official charity of the Inaugural Boston 13.1 Half Marathon. On June 27, 2010, start and finish your half marathon on the historic streets of Boston, while knowing you helped the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation get one step closer to finding a cure!
It's not to late for you to join us! We have added a bonus  information meeting so there are now two more chances for you to find our how you can be a part of our summer team!

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Maggiano's Little Italy
4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30346
9:30 AM (our season kick-off breakfast will take place following the meeting)
RSVP

Monday, March 1, 2010
CCFA
2250 North Druid Hills Road, Ste. 250
Atlatna, GA 30329
6:30 PM
RSVP

Take The Team Challenge!
Millions of people are affected everyday by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Team Challenge is your chance to help patients win back their lives. Join us and you will also receive:

• Training by professional coaches over 16 weeks to run or walk 13.1 miles.
• Learn about good nutrition, hydration, injury prevention and more
• Make new friends and great memories as you train and celebrate with others like you who care. 
•  Benefit from an expenses-paid weekend in Boston including, including transportation, accommodations, race entry fees, and entertainment when you commit to this fund-raising program.

Get Started TODAY!
RSVP for one of our information meetings and take the first step towards finding a cure!  When you attend an information meeting, you'll meet a coach, talk to a CCFA staff person, and learn more about how Team Challenge can help you and help others! RSVP for a meeting TODAY and take the first step towards a life changing experience! 

For more information on Team Challenge, call 404-982-0616, email Awhitworth@ccfa.org or visit our website at www.ccteamchallenge.org.

This Year KEEP Your Resolutions!

Happy New Year! You can start the new year off right! Train to run or walk a half marathon!

This year you can KEEP your resolutions! Our professional coaches will make sure you meet your half marathon goal and have a great time doing it!
Join team Challenge and you can cross the finish line this summer at the:

Boston 13.1 Half Marathon

June 27, 2010

Boston, MA

This Boston event welcomes all levels of runners and walkers! The course will take you around some of the historical highlights of Boston!

The best part is YOU will be helping to find a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colits AND get an expenses paid weekend away to Boston!

Information meetings for the summer season start in February! Reserve your spot today!

Monday, February 8, 2010
Doubletree Hotel NW/ Marietta
2055 South Park Place
Atlanta, GA 30339
6:30 PM

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Fulton CountyLibrary
Buckhead Branch
269 Buckhead Ave, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
6:30 PM

Saturday, February 20, 2010
Holiday Inn Decatur
130 Clairemont Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
10:00 AM

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
West Stride
3517 Northside Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30327
6:30 PM

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Maggiano’s Little Italy
4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30346
9:30 AM