kamroma

I work full time at the University of Denver and am also pursuing a PhD in Higher Education (finally!). I am married to a wonderful man named Carlos who is a full-time law student and an all around healthy guy!

Before I met Carlos, I admit to being a serious couch potato. I rarely did much physical activity (aside from the occasional walk on a nice evening). On our second date, he gave me a LIVESTRONG wristband as a gift (they were the new, hot accessory that summer) without knowing that I had any connection to cancer. Shortly after Carlos and I got married, my father\'s prostate cancer returned (in metastatic form following a prostatectomy several years earlier) to his bones and some organs. He tried a number of treatments but the cancer was too aggressive and didn\'t respond to anything. At some point, he resigned himself to the fact that there was nothing more that could be done, but he never stopped fighting mentally. By sheer force of will, he stayed with us for many months longer than the doctors imagined he possibly could.

During my dad\'s battle, I realized that I wasn\'t living the LIVESTRONG philosophy. I was wearing the band but not doing what it said. It was then that I decided to make a change and get moving. Carlos helped me find a half marathon that would give me enough time to train (as a COMPLETE beginner!) and be successful. I got into a training program and decided to raise funds for the LAF in connection with my run. I ended up raising several hundred dollars and I also ran TWO half-marathons three weeks apart in January 2006. Unfortunately, my dad didn\'t get to cheer me across the finish line, but he was with me every step of the way and I know how proud he was of me.

Carlos was a triathlete before we met but his real passion is cycling. When we moved to Colorado (from South Florida) in 2007, I got a bike so we could ride together. It\'s been a lot of fun and a bit of a challenge given the topography here (compared to Florida!), but it is keeping me active. I am also running again here in Denver and recently completed the Rocky Mountain 1/2 Marathon (my first since completing the Disney and ING Miami halves in \'06), and looking forward to maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. We\'re also really hoping to participate in the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge this October.