Thank you, See Spot Runners!

A devoted group of Run for Steve/See Spot Run runners arrived at White Rock Lake early this morning, braved the muggy conditions (and poor porta-potty conditions) and ran five miles in honor of Steve.

The White Rock 'n' Roll was the third official Run for Steve race since amazing Liz organized us last year.

Today's runners:
Allison E.
Andy L.
Carlin M.
Holly B.
Liz S.
Meghan D.
Paul D.
Randy L.
Sharon G.

We are both incredibly touched by your support! (And we know there were other sweet running friends who couldn't make it today but were there in spirit.)

We understand that plans are in the works for a 5K/15K in July. It's never to late to join the team! E-mail Liz for details on the next race.

Continuing to wait

I spent a lot of time on the phone and on hold today, trying to get the admissions process moving. I was patient but firm. I used phrases such as, "Before we begin, I should let you know I'm very frustrated," and "What other recourse do we have?" and "We are concerned about safety at home."

I had no luck. Neither did the case manager at Zale.

(I did learn that UHC has a Rapid Response Team, which I'm going to ask for every time now, and that you apparently have to ask three times for a better answer before a representative will give you one. When it was clear that I wasn't going to hang up, the customer service representative was more responsive, though certainly not helpful.)

I think we have two options:

• Continue to wait for UHC to approve admission to rehab, which wouldn't happen until Monday at the earliest
• Push for admission to a regular hospital floor and then transition Steve to rehab, which could happen this weekend if Dr. M agrees

There are problems with both. In the light of the new day tomorrow, we'll work on an answer.

I regret that with the physically and emotionally wearing week we've had, I've decided to back out of running the 5-mile race at White Rock with friends Saturday morning in honor of Steve. We can't wait to see photos of the Run for Steve team and hear about the great show of support for super Steve!

Guest blogger Liz: See Spot Run!

See Spot Run racers, it's time to get those shoes on again! Our next race is right around the corner, Saturday, May 2. The race is the Dallas Running Club's 11th Annual White Rock 'n' Roll 5 Mile. Let's get as many yellow shirts out there as possible to support our good friend Steve.

The race starts at Winfrey Point, on the east side of White Rock Lake. Let's meet at 7:30 a.m. in front of the house on the top of the hill (it's easy to find). It's never too late to register online, or you can even register the morning of the race. If you'd like to register online, click here.

Running not your thing? You can still show your support by lining the course and cheering on Steve's team! I have some signs already made but you're more than welcome to make your own. The team colors are yellow and blue.

Let's get out there and show Steve and Tyra just how much we care about them!

Out Damm Spot!

See Spot Run: Return of the team

Paul, Randy, Stuart, Tyra, Cooper, Kris, Holly, Liz, Steve, Lisa, Allison and Katie

Run for Steve cheerleaders Betty and Jim

A big group reunited this morning to Run for Steve at the Resolution Run in Addison.

What a tough group! The temperatures were in the low to mid-30s, and the winds were strong.

Many runners from White Rock returned: John W., Lisa and Stuart C., Sharon G., Randy L., Paul D., Allison E., me. Plus we picked up some new team members: Liz S., Kris B., Holly B., the rest of the Lasley family and Cooper! All of us except John ran the 5K; he tackled the 10K.

John (in gray), soon-to-be daddy to twins with Caren

Jim, Betty and Steve took care of Katie (who really wanted to run the race) while the rest of us ran the cold streets of Addison. The course's biggest challenge was running up and down and up and down again the Arapaho Bridge (the big, bright blue bridge that goes over Midway).

Cooper ran with Allison and me. He did really well. He started strong, running far ahead of us, running backward, wiggling all over. He settled in to a manageable pace and then started to slow down. We encouraged him with cheers and held his hand or arm when he asked.

When we were almost finished and he saw the finish line, he started sprinted and finished strong (just under 39 minutes) and with a smile on his face. Steve and I are so proud of our sweet 7-year-old boy.

Cooper, just as he finishes his first 5K

The race celebration included a bounce house, pizza and live music. We Damms stayed until the awards ceremony to watch Sharon claim her trophy for second place in her age division. Then she kindly gave her trophy to Cooper.

Sharon and Cooper

We love that so many friends are continuing to Run for Steve. It's never to late to join us! We'll choose our next race soon. We'd love for even more folks to walk or run a 5K in honor of Steve. See Spot Run!

Radiant

Steve with Katie, Sharon, Clay, Melane and Molli

Steve was absolutely radiant yesterday. The See Spot Run runners and huge support team lifted his spirits beyond anything I could have imagined. Last night he declared himself the luckiest man in the world.

More than one person has reminded me lately that as we are praying for the "big miracle" -- the cure for Steve's cancer -- we can't ignore the other miracles. At a church meeting tonight, Pastor Andy talked about miracles as signs of God that we notice in everyday life.

Sunday was definitely a day of miracles.

Steve was surrounded by love and peace and joy. His energy was infectious.

The weather was warmer and windier than I think most of us runners wanted. (I am thankful that we ran before the bitter cold blew through Dallas late Sunday.) And I think the thousands of White Rock spectators appreciated the pleasant conditions.

Steve, Allison and I stayed at the W Hotel the night before, thanks to Liz's early reservation. We were able to sleep relatively late and take our time getting ready -- we just took the elevator downstairs and walked outside to the starting area.

As the runners sectioned off into three starting corrals (based on expected running time), Liz and Holly took charge of Steve, helping him find a good spot to watch the start.

Liz and Holly

Then we were off!

Veteran Rock runner Steve had told Allison and me about the handbell choir we'd encounter on the first mile. And there they were, a reward at the top of a daunting Ross Avenue hill. I loved seeing and hearing the choir, knowing how much Steve enjoyed the music when he ran.

The next great treat was Sarah Wilke and Nancy Kruh cheering us on in Uptown. Not long after, we ran across the Domen family (Jeff and three adorable children), showing support for their Melanie and the See Spot Run team.

Melanie, Allison and I ran together for the first six miles. Melanie was the first leg of one of the relay teams, which switched at mile 6. About that time we spied most of the Smith family (Layne and three beautiful children), taking photos and giving high fives.

Allison and I kept running. As we ran along one side of Matilda, we saw Sally, then Stuart, then Jim, run back the other side. They were all ahead of us, and they all looked strong.

Just after we crossed Central Expressway for the second time and we started running south, the wind and accompanying dirt hit us hard. We trudged along.

The Katy Trail offered more surprises. The Brown family (Kris, James and their three gorgeous girls) plus the Domens again were there to boost our spirits. As soon as they saw us coming, they started hollering, and they didn't stop until we were out of earshot.

With about a mile to go, I was really dragging. I knew we would finish, but my legs and feet were unhappy.

Then we saw Will, not too far from the end of the Katy Trail. He told us that we were almost there, that the rest of the run was downhill, and that there was a big crowd of yellow waiting.

What an awesome sight! Liz, Holly and Melane had scoped out a great watching post and planted a camp chair for Steve. He was surrounded by Cooper and Katie (chaperoned by Grandma and Papa), a great crowd of more family, friends and runners who'd already finished. Over the fence I handed sweet Steve my finisher's medal.

He exuded joy.

Just after Allison and I finished

After lots of congratulatory hugs and kisses, we headed to the other side of the American Airlines Center to watch the full marathon runners cross.

Mark crossed with great speed and a huge smile. The See Spot Run relay team gathered to cross the finish line together. Then the See Spot Run 2 team finished strong.

Steve with See Spot Run: Randy, Andy (with son Jared), Paul, Chris and Melanie

Lisa (of See Spot Run 2) and Steve

Steve was exhausted, but he was drawing strength from "his" runners. He positively glowed, reflecting the love that was surrounding him.

And the day got even better. Check back soon for details on our surprise carolers!

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Photos

For more photos, taken by Melane, Steve, Layne and me, click here.

John

Greg

Steve and Melane

Sharon

Steve and Stuart

Uncle Jim

Tyra and Allison

Brooke, Katie and Molli

Jim, Betty, Uncle Jim, Cooper and Katie

Cooper and Will

Mark

Cooper, Katie and Sally

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Results

For results, click on each name:
Greg Woodbury
Sharon Grigsby
John Wise
Sally Sims
Stuart Cutright
Jim Damm
Allison Earwood
Tyra Damm (Allison and I actually finished four minutes faster than expected!)
Mark Tittle
See Spot Run relay team (Melanie Domen, Randy Lasley, Paul Duddleston, Andy Lewis, Chris Werner)
See Spot Run 2 relay team (Lisa Cutright, Kelly Huffman, James Demasi, Jackie Trey Harrison, Jason Lee)

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Thank you to ...
* All the See Spot Run runners and their families and friends who supported them during training
* Liz, captain of the team, organizer extraordinaire and supreme motivator
* Jim and Betty
* Jim and Betty's awesome gang of friends
* Elaine Dunn
* Layne
* Holly Bassen
* Melane
* Kris Brown
* Sally
* Allison
* Richie Whitt
* Everyone who bought a shirt in support of Steve (Melissa, Norm and Roy: I'll mail yours this week!)
* Folks who sent good luck notes
* Everyone who prayed for us
* And to Steve, our inspiration. Out Damm Spot!