Post by markcameron on Dec 2, 2010 22:20:28 GMT -5
Hello Team Cameron,
Eight or 10 months ago a couple of friends of mine told me they were planning to run a half marathon. At the time they were both overweight and out of shape and although I congratulated them on their goal I didn't really think they had a chance to complete it.
I found out later that as a team, Thunder Road Racing, they used me as their motivation to shave substantial amounts of weight while they worked out five in six days a week. They changed their diets and curbed their alcohol intake and for the most part changed their lives for the better.
The morning of the race I was proud to see them cross the finish line with their team jerseys on proudly displaying their racing numbers and team name. I was also impressed to see www.teamcameron.org prominently displayed across their backs. Congratulations guys.
Couple of weeks ago I was invited to speak to the Tonganoxie Middle School. I gave a presentation on my injury and recovery making sure to share with them some of what you all do to help me enjoy my life. I also pass on a little of the knowledge and life lessons that I have learned over the last six years.
I got out again on a Friday night to enjoy a BBQ contest. We fought our way through traffic and scored a great parking spot to celebrate the American Royal BBQ with 200,000 friends nestled in and around the Kemper Arena. I didn't find out how well my friends did in the competition but the plates of food I sampled were excellent.
I've made it to a couple of high school football games it's a great place to see old friends and in some cases their kids participating. I'm having to classify myself as a "Fairweathered Fan” now that has nothing to do with the win/loss but everything to do with the temperature/precipitation ratio. Although I know I won't melt, I'd make it a habit to stay out of the rain.
I did however make time to watch Coach Flood and the rest of The Olathe North Eagles both in person and through the reports on their winning season and second appearance in two years for the state championship.
Although the game didn't finish like we wanted it to it was a great day to watch football. It's always nice to see your team playing in their second state championship in two years. Congratulations to Coach Flood and the rest of the Olathe North football team on your season.
Last fall there was a football player from Olathe North I followed through the years and this year he is playing for the University of Nebraska/Omaha. When UNO played Washburn I wanted to go. Although Washburn won the game the freshman had a great game. It was good to see him and his parents (neighbors of mine) after the game.
I’ve always loved the Thanksgiving dinner and all of its fixings. When I was able bodied it wasn’t uncommon for me to have two or three plate fulls of the delicious Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and Jell-O. With my slowing metabolism I held myself back to one extremely generous plate of food.
The diet I keep telling everyone that I am on restricted me to just two slices of pie. I am looking forward to any leftovers that I can get my hands on, leftovers don’t count toward against a diet. Right?
The real reason for the day, reflecting on those things where most thankful. I’m sure, like most of you family and friends are numbers one and two on the list. From there I would have to say that my health (both before and after my injury), my faith, my country and my freedom. I hope each of you took a moment to remind yourself of those things that you should be most thankful for and remind yourself of your good fortunes.
As I look back over the month of November I'm reminded of the two holidays we should be most thankful. The most obvious would be Thanksgiving. History tells us that it was a celebration started with pilgrims and Indians gathering to celebrate their bountiful harvests.
The other holiday everyone should be honoring comes every November 11th. Although it started as a day to celebrate world peace, 60 years ago it was decided that we should celebrate our honored veterans.
In my opinion, if these two holidays were compared, those early Americans were obviously instrumental in the settlement of our country and the 4th Thursday in November is a great day to give thanks for our bountiful lives and everyone we know. On the other hand, if it wasn't for those Americans that have given their lives to fight for and protect our freedoms then we would have much less to be thankful.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to post this video for each of you to remember on Veterans' Day the sacrifices some gave for our country but I think it is definitely something you should watch.
www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KTb6qdPu8JE
Although November has come and gone it's not too late to say a prayer for those that have given their lives for our freedoms or the veteran that served to protect our rights. With the current wars going on finding an active duty soldier to thank shouldn't be too difficult. You can also keep in mind that the families of those veterans and soldiers are also owed our appreciations.
Have a great month leading up to Christmas. Remember that if you're a good boy or girl Santa Claus will bring you something in your stocking.
Love you all, Mark
Eight or 10 months ago a couple of friends of mine told me they were planning to run a half marathon. At the time they were both overweight and out of shape and although I congratulated them on their goal I didn't really think they had a chance to complete it.
I found out later that as a team, Thunder Road Racing, they used me as their motivation to shave substantial amounts of weight while they worked out five in six days a week. They changed their diets and curbed their alcohol intake and for the most part changed their lives for the better.
The morning of the race I was proud to see them cross the finish line with their team jerseys on proudly displaying their racing numbers and team name. I was also impressed to see www.teamcameron.org prominently displayed across their backs. Congratulations guys.
Couple of weeks ago I was invited to speak to the Tonganoxie Middle School. I gave a presentation on my injury and recovery making sure to share with them some of what you all do to help me enjoy my life. I also pass on a little of the knowledge and life lessons that I have learned over the last six years.
I got out again on a Friday night to enjoy a BBQ contest. We fought our way through traffic and scored a great parking spot to celebrate the American Royal BBQ with 200,000 friends nestled in and around the Kemper Arena. I didn't find out how well my friends did in the competition but the plates of food I sampled were excellent.
I've made it to a couple of high school football games it's a great place to see old friends and in some cases their kids participating. I'm having to classify myself as a "Fairweathered Fan” now that has nothing to do with the win/loss but everything to do with the temperature/precipitation ratio. Although I know I won't melt, I'd make it a habit to stay out of the rain.
I did however make time to watch Coach Flood and the rest of The Olathe North Eagles both in person and through the reports on their winning season and second appearance in two years for the state championship.
Although the game didn't finish like we wanted it to it was a great day to watch football. It's always nice to see your team playing in their second state championship in two years. Congratulations to Coach Flood and the rest of the Olathe North football team on your season.
Last fall there was a football player from Olathe North I followed through the years and this year he is playing for the University of Nebraska/Omaha. When UNO played Washburn I wanted to go. Although Washburn won the game the freshman had a great game. It was good to see him and his parents (neighbors of mine) after the game.
I’ve always loved the Thanksgiving dinner and all of its fixings. When I was able bodied it wasn’t uncommon for me to have two or three plate fulls of the delicious Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and Jell-O. With my slowing metabolism I held myself back to one extremely generous plate of food.
The diet I keep telling everyone that I am on restricted me to just two slices of pie. I am looking forward to any leftovers that I can get my hands on, leftovers don’t count toward against a diet. Right?
The real reason for the day, reflecting on those things where most thankful. I’m sure, like most of you family and friends are numbers one and two on the list. From there I would have to say that my health (both before and after my injury), my faith, my country and my freedom. I hope each of you took a moment to remind yourself of those things that you should be most thankful for and remind yourself of your good fortunes.
As I look back over the month of November I'm reminded of the two holidays we should be most thankful. The most obvious would be Thanksgiving. History tells us that it was a celebration started with pilgrims and Indians gathering to celebrate their bountiful harvests.
The other holiday everyone should be honoring comes every November 11th. Although it started as a day to celebrate world peace, 60 years ago it was decided that we should celebrate our honored veterans.
In my opinion, if these two holidays were compared, those early Americans were obviously instrumental in the settlement of our country and the 4th Thursday in November is a great day to give thanks for our bountiful lives and everyone we know. On the other hand, if it wasn't for those Americans that have given their lives to fight for and protect our freedoms then we would have much less to be thankful.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to post this video for each of you to remember on Veterans' Day the sacrifices some gave for our country but I think it is definitely something you should watch.
www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KTb6qdPu8JE
Although November has come and gone it's not too late to say a prayer for those that have given their lives for our freedoms or the veteran that served to protect our rights. With the current wars going on finding an active duty soldier to thank shouldn't be too difficult. You can also keep in mind that the families of those veterans and soldiers are also owed our appreciations.
Have a great month leading up to Christmas. Remember that if you're a good boy or girl Santa Claus will bring you something in your stocking.
Love you all, Mark