We can choose how our influences and inspiration define us! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou, Writer, Poet, Performer, Director
Connie Thornberry until 1984 ... also know as "Frog" and "Fred" to some.
I was born in Monte Vista, Colorado in 1963. My Dad was a radio DJ, which I believe is what influenced my love for music. I still have many of the 45s he played on the radio. He kind of looks like Buddy Holly in this photo! We moved to Gallup, NM then to Grand Junction, CO in the first 5 years of my life and I became a big sister in each of these places with the addition of a sister and brother. We moved to Garland, TX when I was five, where my Dad became a programmer analyst. Our family grew and I became the oldest of six with a sixteen year gap between my youngest sister and I ... I drove my Mom to the hospital!
There were many influences during this time. There was the 8th grade Math teacher who would not accept secod-rate effort that led to my excelling in high school math. This and my Dad’s career were obviously an influence toward my career working in the IT industry. Then there was the 11th grade English Teacher and the Junior college writing professor that further emphasized my love for words. At the age of 11, I started my love affair with softball that continues to this day.
I was a good student and graduated #45 out of 560 in my class and was a member of the National Honor Society. However, I was very shy and was mortified when called on or when having to do oral reports!
I met my husband in 1983 and we were engaged in 5 months and married in 10 months on March 3, 1984. I was just shy of my 21st birthday and both Chris and I looked much younger, so I’m sure we raised a few eyebrows checking into hotels as Mr. and Mrs. Smith on our honeymoon trip to the Grand Canyon.
I gave birth to a wonderful son in 1986 and there has been more than once that we have wished there was an instruction manual for this kid. Bret is very intelligent and a complex individual whom we are very proud to have in our lives. In 1988, Jenna could not wait to join our family and was delivered between the bathroom and bedroom by paramedics. She walked early, talked early and has literally kept us running her whole life. The two kids are polar opposites!
In July of 1996 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 33. It is funny how little I remember about my life events and the person prior to this diagnosis. As devastating as the news was, it was at this time that I began a journey to LIVE! Because of Chris and the kids, I chose to fight and fight hard.
From diagnosis, I moved in to treatments which included: modified radical mastectomy which further defined my diagnosis as stage 2, high-risk with 10 of 12 lymph nodes affected. I then moved into regular chemo treatments and after 4 cycles I began a grueling protocal of high-dose chemo with stem cell rescue (bone marrow transplant). I followed that with 6 weeks, 5 days a week of targeted radiation and then took Tamoxifen for 5 years. My doctors wanted to be aggressive, but I firmly believe that my attitude and sense of humor contributed as much or more towards my success as a survivor.
In 2002, as part of being named Teller County honorary survivor I traveled to the National Race in Washington DC with my daughter. The journey took a different turn at this point, as the impact changed both Jenna and I and our future endeavors. This was my 5th year as a survivor and our mother-daughter weekend was intended to be a celebration. It was, but after 5 years of participating in Race for the Cure events Jenna decided to pursue running in High School instead of softball. Softball and baseball had been a big influence for both kids, so it was a surprise but encouraged. She is definitely a runner and has literally been running since the day she was born.
If I was not coaching my kid’s sports, I was team mom or involved in some way. I was very fortunate to have the flexibility to become very involved with all their activities and feel that it helped fill my life with a positive energy that has contributed to my continued longevity as a survivor. It was after Jenna’s sophomore year that she expressed an interest in becoming a more competitive runner. I knew nothing about technique, form or training. The only thing I knew to do was register her for competitive races throughout the summer to keep her motivated and working towards her training for cross country and track. I had definitely been inspired by Jenna and her team-mates, but I entered the first few races because "I was there anyway" with her. After a point I realized that running was actually a natural thing for me, not because I was that good, but more because of the mental aspect. I am a thinker and dreamer and it provides me uninterrupted time to do just that.
In 2005 Jenna and I ran 25 competitive races together from 5Ks to a 12K. In 2006, we started the year running the Winter Series with the Pike’s Peak Road Runners and also traveled to Florida to participate in the West Palm Beach Race for the Cure on a Saturday in January (she did a half-marathon on Sunday!).
In May of 2006 I was notified that I had been nominated for the Suzy Komen award. This is a National award given by Komen to survivors who have chosen long distance running as a healthy lifestyle. Each affiliate (115 worldwide) can nominate someone and the judging is done by members of the Komen headquarters, National sponsors and members of the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame. I was overwhelmed when I was later contacted that I was the 2006 and 5th recipient of this award. Fortunately, for me, volunteerism is a big factor in the selection criteria. At least that is the aspect that I am the most proud.
This led to our traveling back to DC for the 2006 National Race. I walked in the Parade of Pink with Nancy Brinker and she made the announcement of my award on stage, which included getting a hug from Condoleeza Rice!
(Jenna, Shawna and Chris)
The actual award was presented to me at our Race in Colorado Springs (my 10th in COS) and is a replica of the award that is in the National Distance Running Hall of Fame – Komen Race for the Cure. Running has become a tool that I use to spread my message of hope and awareness. I proudly wear my survivor shirt at every race, including non-Race for the Cure and I like to believe that it shows people that I chose to fight and I choose to live!
The journey after receiving the award has been incredible and I have met some incredible and very passionate people. I traveled to Dallas in October to do a photo/video shoot that was very overwhelming but I am honored to have my image and words used to help promote the cause (video) My goal is to run every Race for the Cure event worldwide which will take many, many years! Click here for full list of Race for the Cure dates.
Since my diagnosis I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone and am actually giving speeches! That mortally shy girl no longer exists, but probably because I now have something important to share!
My fascination with Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story began shortly after diagnosis. Primarily because the quote "To Infinity and Beyond" is a great way for a survivor to live and believe. Paul gave me my first Buzz and the collection started from there! I have the entire Toy Story2 Happy Meal collection and all six candy dispensers that came out the Fall we were building our house. Since we were both working full-time and pretty much full-time on the house, we ate out a lot. I would literally walk into McDonalds and if they did not have a "toy" I needed, I would walk out and go somewhere else.
In 2002, as part of being named Teller County honorary survivor I traveled to the National Race in Washington DC with my daughter. The journey took a different turn at this point, as the impact changed both Jenna and I and our future endeavors. This was my 5th year as a survivor and our mother-daughter weekend was intended to be a celebration. It was, but after 5 years of participating in Race for the Cure events Jenna decided to pursue running in High School instead of softball. Softball and baseball had been a big influence for both kids, so it was a surprise but encouraged. She is definitely a runner and has literally been running since the day she was born.
In May of 2006 I was notified that I had been nominated for the Suzy Komen award. This is a National award given by Komen to survivors who have chosen long distance running as a healthy lifestyle. Each affiliate (115 worldwide) can nominate someone and the judging is done by members of the Komen headquarters, National sponsors and members of the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame. I was overwhelmed when I was later contacted that I was the 2006 and 5th recipient of this award. Fortunately, for me, volunteerism is a big factor in the selection criteria. At least that is the aspect that I am the most proud. 
This led to our traveling back to DC for the 2006 National Race. I walked in the Parade of Pink with Nancy Brinker and she made the announcement of my award on stage, which included getting a hug from Condoleeza Rice! 
The actual award was presented to me at our Race in Colorado Springs (my 10th in COS) and is a replica of the award that is in the National Distance Running Hall of Fame – Komen Race for the Cure. Running has become a tool that I use to spread my message of hope and awareness. I proudly wear my survivor shirt at every race, including non-Race for the Cure and I like to believe that it shows people that I chose to fight and I choose to live! 
My fascination with Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story began shortly after diagnosis. Primarily because the quote "To Infinity and Beyond" is a great way for a survivor to live and believe. Paul gave me my first Buzz and the collection started from there! 