Texas Spirits Run to Fight Cancer!

Many Texas Spirits including Weenies, Actives, current and former GC members and Alumni accomplished an enormous goal this past February by completing the LIVESTRONG Austin Half Marathon benefitting the Lance Armstrong Foundation. In total, there were 11 current members representing Texas Spirits during the race.  

Neven Simpson post-race

Cancer has affected so many people’s lives, including members of Texas Spirits, so the Austin Half Marathon was an incredible opportunity to give back to the Cancer community and honor loved ones who have fought or are currently fighting the disease. “Thinking about the impact cancer has not only had on my own life, but on so many others' lives, kept me going throughout the race,” said current Public Relations Haunt, Spring 2010 Weenie, Neven Simpson.  “The amazing atmosphere” was another big motivation during the race according to current Weenie, Lane Follmar.  Spring 2010 Weenie, Leah Spector, agreed by saying that “seeing all the LIVESTRONG survivors and supporters out there also really pushed me to run for those who cannot."

Simone Schroeder ran in memory of a family member

Many Spirits who ran the half marathon thought that it was something that they would never accomplish in their lifetime while other members who were already avid runners built on what they were already doing, but both groups had a difficult time finding hours in their already hectic days to train for the race. Current Weenie, Alysse Fisher said, “Sometimes it got really difficult because tests would pile up and I wouldn't have time to run or I'd just have to make time.” Despite the time it took to train for the marathon, many of the runners felt great during the whole race. For many of the girls, the hardest part of the race were the hills they came into contact with. Enfield road was one of those hills and it was even more difficult because it was around the 12-mile mark of the race. Shea Craig, a Spring 2009 Weenie, remembers that “the most difficult part of running the race was the hill on Enfield Road. Oh my gosh, talk about hard! I swear it was an 85 degree incline.” Other girls agree by simply saying “Enfield” was the most difficult part of the run. Referring to the Enfield hill, Fall 2009 Weenie, Sam Anderson said that “It took so much effort and hard work to run, however, finishing that hill was one of my proudest moments.”

Sam Anderson pre-race

Another great aspect of the race for Sam was the fact that “Austin is beautiful, running makes [her] happy, and it's all for a good cause.” Spring 2010 Weenie, Diana Johnson said that the best part of the race was, “the feeling when I finally finished! I was so tired, but also really excited that I had done something that I had never tried before.” 

The best part of the half marathon was one of a more personal and emotional level for Spring 2008 Weenie and former 2009-2010 Service Haunt, Gloria Chan. “Hands down, the best part of running the half-marathon was that my daddy could come see me run the race in honor of his battle against cancer. Throughout my dad's cancer diagnosis, I always try to remain composed and not get overcome by negative emotions, so I really hadn't taken a moment to truly soak in his long journey until the morning of the race, when on my "In Honor of Card", I could write "Survivor, December 2010" under my dad's name.”

Through all of the ups and downs of completing the Austin Half Marathon, Spirits runners proudly recognized that their hard work and effort was for an amazing cause, the fight against cancer. Texas Spirits Alumnae, Spring 2008 Weenie and 2009-2010 Hook ‘Em Haunt, Kaitlin Kauffman, completed the full Austin Marathon and was also the creator a LIVESTRONG team, “Team TEXAS FIGHT” in which many of the Spirits runners were a part of. TEXAS FIGHT members were each committed to individually fundraising $500 for LIVESTRONG. Spring 2010 Weenie, Leah Spector, said that joining “Team TEXAS FIGHT,” contributed a lot to her half marathon experience. “I feel like I did some good for others and hopefully helped make a difference for those living with cancer.” In total, the team raised $5,435 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Neven Simpson was the team's top fundraiser raising $1,110 in total, more than double of what she originally committed to raising! 

Alysse Fisher & Leah Spector post-race

Spring 2009 Weenie and 2010-1011 Hook ‘Em Haunt, Shannon Funke was also a member of “Team TEXAS FIGHT.”  When one of her best friend’s mom recently passed away from Leukemia, the team took on a whole new meaning to her. Shannon said, “Throughout the run I thought of her every step of the way and completing the half marathon meant being part of something that will hopefully one day find the cure to this horrible disease.”

Texas Spirits prides itself on taking part in Austin’s community service.  The LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon was a great way for Spirits to give back to those who are fighting and who have fought Cancer, those who have loved ones involved with Cancer and simply those who have dedicated their lives to eventually curing this disease. Whether they participated in running the race, raised money for the cause, volunteered during the race or even cheered on our fellow Spirits sisters, Texas Spirits came together on February 20th to fight against Cancer!

Congratulations to all of the current and former Texas Spirits members who completed the Austin Marathon or Austin Half Marathon! What an incredible accomplishment!

Lane Follmar post-race

Current members to complete the race: Simone Schroeder, Neven Simpson, Gloria Chan, Shannon Funke, Shea Craig, Sam Anderson, Leah Spector, Diana Johnson, Sarah Propst, Lane Follmar, and Alysse Fisher

Diana Johnson post-race 

A special thanks to Alumnae (Spring 2008 Weenie and 2009-2010 Hook ‘Em Haunt) Kaitlin Kauffman for creating the LIVESTRONG “Team TEXAS FIGHT” which raised $5,435 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.