It’s that time again when I get to tell you about my Team in Training challenge for this year! My event will be the Nation’s Triathlon in Washington, DC on September 9th. The race will start with a .9 mile swim in the Potomac River between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. Next is a 24.8 mile bike past many of the memorials, monuments and the Kennedy Center. Then I will run 6.2 miles passing the Smithsonian, crossing over the Tidal Basin and passing the Jefferson Memorial on my way to the finish! The best part of this race is that the entire event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!

My patient hero is once again my wonderful brother John. Most of you know that in April of 2003, he was diagnosed with a form of B Cell Lymphoma. As too many of you have also experienced, those words made our hearts sink, especially after losing both of our parents to cancer. I decided then that I would find a way to try to help in the fight against Lymphoma and other cancers. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society gives me that opportunity through the Team in Training Program. Training and travel to an event is provided in exchange for fundraising to help in their efforts to support families battling these cancers and to aid in research.

I would also like to dedicate this season to all of my family members and friends who have battled or are currently battling cancer. Your courage and strength are a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to me. I thank you for showing me who a true hero is.

I will put in the training and race hard if you will once again help by making a donation. I realize that times are difficult financially for many of us and appreciate any help you are able to give. No amount is too large or too small...every little bit helps! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

August 1 - Thank you to everyone that has donated so far!! On July 22nd I completed Ironman Lake Placid which had taken up a good deal of my time with long training workouts. Now I am on track for a great race in DC. I still have work ahead of me both in training and fundraising. Please feel free to share this website with any friends or family that may want to join in to help LLS fight blood cancers and all cancers!!

August 4 - I was finally able to attend my first "team" practice and to meet some of my teammates! We met at the Spring Mill Train Station and had a great bike ride on the Schuylkill River Trail. It was great to see some TNT Alum there as well and to meet Karen from the Philly office.

August 9 - Just wanted to share a link to my race report from Ironman USA in Lake Placid!

http://katesroad.blogspot.com/

August 24 - Only two weeks until race weekend!!! I am humbled by everyone's generosity and again say thank you from the bottom of my heart. My brother had a serious health emergency last week. He was experiencing severe chest pains and long story short, drove himself to the emergency room at Geisinger Hospital on Wednesday and on Thursday had two stents placed in his left antertior descending artery. He was home and feeling good but tired on Friday. Thank you to all of the wonderful doctors and nurses there that treated him so kindly. He is doing well and is anxious to get back on his bike and in the gym. Yesterday was his orientation for Cardiac Rehab which will begin next Monday. Please keep him in your prayers.

September 7 - Two days until the race!! Wow, it is so hard to believe. Thank you again to all who have donated and all who have sent good wishes. My brother is doing really well and will be joining us on our travels to DC. Thank you for your prayers for him also. All of my workouts are done, I will clean and lube my bike today and then relax until the gun goes off on Sunday morning. My swim wave is 13th out of 34 which should put me in the water around 7:40 or so. I will race in honor of my brother and in honor of and in memory of the names you have shared with me. I know they will lift me up and help carry me across the miles. I will be sure to have Melissa take lots of pictures to share with you. Thank you again. My race report will follownext week!!

Post Race Day! - Yeah on a great race and weekend in DC!! I felt so good and it was the most beautiful day to be in our Nation's Capital! I tried to recap our trip on my blog-you can read all about it at katesroad.blogspot.com. This event was my 9th as a fundraising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. LLS does so many wonderful things for patients and their families as well as research that not only fights blood cancers, but all cancers. They would not be able to do this work without the help from all of you. I owe so much gratitude to all who have contributed over the years. This year I raised $4,010.60 and look forward to a special number 10 next year!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The Nation's Tri-Olympic Distance

1.5k Swim - 37:16

T1 - 3:41

40k Bike - 1:23:33

T2 - 1:51

10k Run - 58:09

Total - 3:04:27

Place 6th in AG

October 2 - More GREAT news!! A very dear friend has "topped off" my fundraising to make it a beautiful $5,000.00!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!