Little Notes to Blaze from his Team...

May 29, 2014
Good morning Blaze! I was able to get in my 6m run for you this morning! It was 80 degrees when I started and I have been told it feels 20 degrees warmer when you run - yikes! I was very hot the last mile but kept going until the end - I just thought of you and the look of determination you had on your face pushing yourself forward  Thank you - you inspired me especially the last mile! Here is a picture of my distance (boo on my time!) and a picture of my puppy buddy when I came back home! Have a great day, I will post again on Saturday but you will be on mind every minute 

May 29,2014
So great blaze! We love that movie here as well  I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that I shared our story with my family (I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers) and they are all very excited! So excited that my sister Kim just sent me a text that read " I walked 2 miles (the farthest I have walked) and did all of my physical therapy exercises. I thought of your adorable buddy the whole time." My sister has a dog - his name is Foster. He went with her on her walk today - here is his picture 

May 31,2014
Happy Saturday Blaze! Nik and Keegan went out and ran a mile together for you this morning  Our neighborhood is having a community yard sale so they had to be extra careful with all the cars. We have a lot of hills in our neighborhood which makes it more challenging but they end on a downhill so they came home smiling! Hope your weekend is great!

June 1, 2014
Blaze! You now have a fan club across the US! My Brother Shawn  ran 5m miles in Illinois just for you today Buddy! We hope your Sunday is great!

June 9, 2014
Happy Monday to the best Buddy ever - BLAZE! I went out to run 3m for you this morning then decided I would add an extra mile each day and spend that mile just thinking about you! So today I ran 4m for you  I hope this week you get the chance to try Cheerios again and love them. They are so yummy! One day I hope to eat French Fries with you, they are my favorite and sometimes when I run I think about eating them, silly isn't it. I hope your day starts off great!

June 17,2014
We are ready for some muddy motivation! Blaze I signed up the entire Family to run the Big Muddy Challenge In Weddington next Saturday! Can't wait for our first family run for you. ~Cindy

June 18, 2014
Hey Blaze! It's raining here in Chicago so I ran on the treadmill today. Ms, Cindy's been running so hard for you, she inspired me to do my entire run at a steep uphill climb. I decided we'd do four, with the last mile being yours. Boy I was tired when I was approaching three! I kept running uphill though and once I eclipsed three, it was all you and we flew! Sprinted the last quarter mile for you! ~Shawn

June 19, 2014
5.2m for my Blaze this morning! The sun was out and so were a lot of runners! It seems I am not the only one trying to get out early! My kids were up early playing the game Risk, that game can last for days .... I am leaving soon to take Nate back to the doctor, we are hoping this visit he can finally be cleared to do things other than rest! He had a concussion about 2 months ago playing ice hockey and the recovery time for him has taken quite a while. I hope your day is fantastic and that you enjoy VBS tonight. ~Cindy

June 20, 2014
Good morning Buddy Blaze! I ran 6m for you this morning and Nate, Keegan and Nik all ran a mile for you. They were a bit crabby when they left but came back laughing and happy. Running helps gets all the crabbies out I have always said! Have a fantastic weekend Blaze 

June 22,2014
Sunday - Fun day! Hi Blaze! We had a very productive morning here  Tom and I walked the dogs for 2m then I ran 4.5m, Tom ran 3m and Nik, Nate & Keegan all ran a mile for YOU! It was pretty hot so the kids all jumped right into the pool right when they got home! Hope your day is fantastic!!! ~Cindy

June 23, 2014
3m for my Buddy Blaze this morning! Kids are all at VBS this morning so I was able to get a short run in. I am hoping for a longer one come Wednesday for you Happy Monday Buddy! ~Cindy

June 26, 2014
3m for my boy Blaze tonight! I could not get it in this morning so I just went out and my oh my is that sun shinning still!!! What did you do today Blaze? Any cheerios yet? ~Cindy

June 28,2014
Muddy Day for Blaze! Hey Blaze, we ran in the Big Muddy Challenge for you this morning! It was so much fun! Keegan thought some of the mud smelled bad so she was very glad to see the finish line  Happy Saturday Buddy! ~Cindy

June 30,2014
Blaze thank you so much for this photo! You definitely made my day! We have had so much rain here but I made sure to squeeze in 3.5 for you right before the raindrops fell. When I was running the song "My Hero" came on my playlist and I thought of you and ran faster! Way to make it through your double session of therapies today. You are a rock star Blaze! Tell your family we said hi! THANK YOU so much again for the picture! ~Shawn

Meet Some of Blaze's Team!

Her shirt says,"I mud for Blaze".

July 1, 2014

Blaze!! Guess What?!?! I found a penny this morning and picked it up so all day long we will have good luck!! Yahoo! I ran 4.3 miles for you this morning  It was super humid but the sun was not shining yet so I decided to be thankful for that. Have a fantastic day and lets share tomorrow the good luck we both will have today.... ! ~Cindy

July 3,2014

10K for Blaze done! We did it Buddy! It was not pretty but we did it :0 Somehow @ mile three I think the sidewalk jumped up as I tripped and flew into the air like superman but did not make a graceful landing! I did a number on my arm, elbow hand and knees. I regrouped though and kept plowing through our remaining 3.2 miles. I got some funny looks from the morning commuters at stop lights and it made me laugh. I figure I am tough just like you! Have a great day my friend and I hope you have a great time wearing red white and blue tomorrow 

July 4th

Happy 4th of July Blaze!!!  I walked the dogs almost 4 miles this morning and was thinking about you and your pup! Nik, Nate and Keegan all ran a mile for you - they ran it in 7.56  Have fun today! ~Cindy

July 6th

This is the note I got this morning from Keegan after I came home from a spectacular 4m run for my buddy:

"We run for Blaze! You and me run even when we are tired. We are a team. We run at different times for the same cause! We do not give up even when we are tired and want to. Love u."

Keegan, Nik, Nate and Tom ran a mile for you Blaze. Keegan ran her mile in under 8 minutes. Thank you Blaze for being our Buddy!!~Cindy

July 7th

Look what came in the mail Blaze! Mom - please message me so I can send Blazes Medal asap! Mika is modeling it for you 

July 11th

6m for Blaze this morning! MUCH better than last weeks 6.2! Super slow today but my feet stayed on the ground! I hope you are you are healing fast as well. Have a good weekend Buddy ! ~Cindy

July 15th

From his buddy Shawn from IL

Hey Blaze! Just wanted to let you know we're still hustling over here in Chicago for you. I haven't posted lately because I am doing a daily workout program with my fiance (Carla) that has me pushed to the limit every day. I still use you as my inspiration and will keep you posted as Carla and I keep pushing, and I'll be sneaking runs in for you too  Great job on being back up and walking buddy. You're the heart and soul of Team Blaze!

July 16th

Wonderful Cool 4m run for Blaze!( Sandy Venable Howell) It was so nice to be able to run and have a cool breeze. I hope you get out and feel the breeze on your face today Blaze! It going to be a good one 

~Cindy

July 17th
3miles for my Buddy Blaze this morning! It was only 70 degrees and I have to admit I was a little cold when I started but it was great. I am so excited for you to get your package, I hope you like it! ~Cindy

July 18th
SIX! Miles for BLAZZZZZZZZZZZZZE! Great morning to get it done! Have a fabulous weekend buddy  ~Cindy

July 18th
The envelope has the instructions for the iron on on the back of his shirt. Its just the clear film and says to put a pillowcase over it and press down with the iron. I think it should stay on ok if you wash it inside out and hang to dry. Next time I am going to go a different route, Iron-ons seem unreliable. I am glad he liked the medals, I am signing up for 2 half's in the fall, he will need to coach me through them and of course the medals will be all his!! He means the world to me, this is just the beginning. ~Cindy

July 21st from Shawn
Blaze! You're a champion! This made my eyes water so I can only imagine how your awesome parents and siblings feel. I'm going to work extra hard for you tomorrow. You're doing so great; we are proud of you!

July 22nd from Cindy
Ok Buddy, I just signed up for the Thunder Road Half Marathon on November 15th, this means training starts in just 3 weeks - yikes! I am going to send you my schedule and you can help me keep track of what I need to accomplish each and every week for us so we have a great 13.1 miles  I am even going to try and get some friends and family to run it...never know!

July 22 ~Cindy
Ok Buddy, I just signed up for the Thunder Road Half Marathon on November 15th,
 this means training starts in just 3 weeks - yikes! I am going to send you my 
schedule and you can help me keep track of what I need to accomplish each and
 every week for us so we have a great 13.1 miles 
 I am even going to try and get some friends and family to run it...never know!

July 23~Cindy
6 Miles for Buddy Blaze today!!!

July 23 ~Shawn
Hey Blaze -- just wanted to let you know that yesterday was the best workout I've had in a very long time. 
I was so inspired by you and your awesome new walker! I tried to tell you
 right when I finished but my internet went out last night. GREAT job and keep it up -- and we will do the same!

July 25 ~Cindy
Hey Buddy Blaze! 4m today with Keegan. One mile for my nephew Colin, One mile for I run For Drew, one happy mile for my coming soon nephew "snoopy" and another happy mile for BLAZE! We went early this morning but I worked alllllllllll day  Have a great weekend Buddy!

July 28 ~Cindy
4m for you this morning Blaze! I walked the dogs for 2m then went out on my run after. It was already 80 degrees at 730 so I was anxious to get it done!

July 29 ~Cindy
3 miles for Blaze this morning! Nice cool morning - ready for a great day!

July 30 ~Cindy
Well Blaze it seems the train is already rolling and I need to jump on! My good friend Becky reviewed a training schedule for the RocktoberFest half marathon on October 12th and it seems we should have started training two weeks ago! So today I ran this weeks long run of 6m since I will not be able to this weekend. Here is a picture of my pups, they are staring at me wanting to go for a walk.... they do not have much patience! Have a great day Buddy

July 31 ~Cindy
Hi Blaze! Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you. Here is a new picture of Buddy

August 4 ~Cindy
Oh Blaze did I need to run today!! 4m for you my friend! We came back a little early from our weekend in TN as my workload is to heavy for me right now to be away. We did have a great time and we able to spend time together just us - as a family. That is the best part! I hope to get back on the running schedule this week and work toward our race!

August 5 ~Cindy
Three wonderful hot humid miles for my Buddy Blaze this morning! Great job with the watermelon yesterday!

August 6 ~Cindy
I ran my 6x400 sprints to keep up with our training today! Keegan came with me and waited for me to finish after her mile run. Have fantastic day Blaze!

August 7 ~Cindy
Thank you Blaze for the awesome Card! You made my day!

August 8 ~Cindy

Hi Blaze - 6m for you this morning! I usually do not bring my phone as it never seems to not be buzzing and I find it to be a big distraction! Today however I wanted to show you the path I take - so here it is! Lots of trees to stay in the shade! Have a great weekend Buddy!!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he will direct thy paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6