Happy Halloween everyone.  I did pretty good and only ate some milk duds lol.  I had my four kids and a couple neighbors kids and we hit the streets.  Made a stop at my dads and just wrapped things up a bit ago.  I love doing stuff like this with my kids as this is what it is all about.

Also congrats to the Racing for Recovery Achievement Award winners pictured below.  From left to right Melissa Hall, Stefanie Stout, Aaron Dalley and Rebecca Weghorst.  Not pictured is Chris Everett.  I love giving these awards out yearly who exemplify what our program is all about and are improving their lives.

To my friend Shannon who lost her mom on this date years ago, I hope you find peace today.

To Eric who we lost this past February.  We miss you dearly and this pic of you below shows you at your best.  

TC

Just got home after the completion of the 7th (yes I said 7th) Annual Racing for Recovery 5k, 10k run/walk.  This was the first year I did not do the actual event but rather watched as a spectator and I must say I was truly in awe of how emotional and inspiring this event actually is.  It never ceases to amaze me the impact this program has on many lives and I am so thankful to just be a part of it.

Thank you to all of the participants, volunteers, sponsors, media and 3D Racing who made this event happen.  I can’t thank you all enough and because of you all we are making a difference in the lives of many.  Congrats to all of the participants who completed the event.  I personally do not care about the time of your finish but rather simply that you finished.  

The results can be found on the calendar page under r4r events.  Also from the homepage there is a link on the scrolling marquee.

I also want to say how proud I am of my kids Madison, Skylar and Konor for participating in the event.  I love you guys with all my heart and I know you are benefitting from this program and all the people involved in it.  Great job to Melissa who finished 2nd overall (women) in the 5k and first i her age group.  

I could not help think of Eric Floyd throughout the day and Brent VanDerPol who were lost to addiction this year.  I just prayed that those who are left behind are coping to the best of their abilities with the losses of these 2 great individuals.

To my friends who did the SOMA Half Ironman in Airzona today, nice work and I hope to do it next year.

Pictures will be available on www.carrpix.com and results will be on our site and www.3disciplines.com

Thanks to Barb Nye and everyone else who helped with the store and inventory.  That is greatly appreciated.

I am exhausted and need sleep.

TC

The Crandell family just returned from San Francisco where my brother Jason was married over the weekend.  It is times like this that I am reminded of what sobriety has given me and that is a family.  At the rehearsal dinner people were spontaneously getting up and saying things to the bride and groom and I had no intention of doing so but that I just thought “hey I have some things I want my brother to know” so I stood up and basically said how much I respected and admired Jason for the choices he has made which has resulted in a great productive life.  We have never had an argument in our entire lives and I am proud of that.  I am thankful that he did not write me off during my addiction but rather saw what I had become and said to himself he did not want that way of life and hence is a normal, adjusted drug free individual.  He is also highly respected in the yoga world and it is awesome to meet people and have them say “what an inspiration he is to them.

I also throughly enjoyed spending time with my parents.  The laughter and sense of humor that is constantly in action with this family is awesome and I laughed my butt off the entire weekend.  The kids were involved in the wedding and did a great job as well.  The only thing wrong was how big my suit was as I pulled it out from the closet and my past as a drug rep and it was a couple sizes too big.  Skylar said “dad that suit is huge on you and you are too skinny”  That was a compliment lol.

Ok I am home for a solid month before I leave for Ultraman which will be nice.  The Racing for Recovery 7th Annual 5k is next weekend and I am doing all I can to promote this worthy event.  Take notice Sylvania, utilize this program it saves lives.

To my friend Jodi who went to see her dad who is dying from chirosis of the liver and has not been involved in her life in years, I hope everything works out for you.  I am also proud of you for making this trip as I know how hard it must be.

Congrats to my friend RJ who ran the Chicago Marathon in honor of the people living in our lifestyle center.

On a lighter note I am going to see AC DC with my mom on Nov 5.  She took me to see them for my first concert on Nov 15, 1981.  Funny how the drugs did not hinder my ability to remember useless information lol.

Below is a song by Alter Bridge that I think it simply awesome and totally relates in my opinion to addiction.  I view this song as when someone just simply can’t help someone else stop using and they are forced to make a choice to save their own sanity.  I am reflecting on how many people are dealing with these feelings everyday and it breaks my heart. To those who are still using pay attention to these lyrics as the people you care about the most get to a point where they can’t take watching you destroy your life and they leave for their peace.  

Leaves are on the ground
Fall has come
Blue skies turning grey
Like my love

I tried to carry you
And make you whole
But it was never enough
I must go

[Chorus:]
Who is gonna save you
When I’m gone?
And who’ll watch over you
When I’m gone?

You say you care for me
But hide it well
How can you love someone
And not yourself?

[Chorus]

And when I’m gone
Who will break your fall?
Who will you blame?

I can’t go on
And let you lose it all
It’s more than I can take
Who’ll ease your pain?
Ease your pain

[Chorus:]
And Love is gonna save you
When I’m gone.
And I’ll watch over you.
And I will give you strength
When you’re not strong.
Who’ll watch over you,
When I’ve gone away?

Snow is on the ground
Winters come
You long to hear my voice
But I’m long gone

Take care everyone and help save someone who has a drug and alcohol problem.

TC

Just returned home from another trip to Arizona and as usual Racing for Recovery was well received.  We kicked off our new Racing for Recovery support group meetings last night with the additional meeting starting tomorrow.  Check our website for meeting details.  Thanks to Darrin P for getting this going.

I also did the Tour de Scottsdale 70 mile bike race and I must say this was interesting.  I have never done “just a bike race” as I am always running and swimming in there as well.  I felt like a fish out of water because this type of riding is very different than the usual triahtlon.  There were over 1,000 riders and they all ride in “packs” which is pretty scary.  

The course was beautiful and I rode with my friends Darrin and Clay (both members of r4r).  I want to also say THANK YOU VERY MUCH to Shannon and Dave for all the work they did in having me at this event including the book signings and support of Racing for Recovery.  So nice to see people and a community totally embrace what we do here.

Also went to the Phoenix Coyotes last pre-season hockey game.  My friend Darrin works for the Coyote Center Sports Complex so we had seats in a suite and I was fortunate enough to do a radio interview to promote the meetings.

Friday our whole family is off to San Francisco for my brother Jason’s wedding.  Back to the airport.  When the baggage loaders and ticket agents recognize you, that is a sign you are traveling alot but no complaints here.

Enjoy your week.

Todd