So, here I am again.

Full marathon-check.

Half marathon-check. check. check. check, check.

Century bike ride-check.

Sprint triathlon-check. check.

Cure for blood cancers...

Still working on that last one. Help me now by contributing to my fundraising campaign for Team in Training. I am thrilled to challenge myself yet again by training for my first Olympic distance triathlon. While doing this, I plan to complete two additional half marathons. I also am challenging you to help me raise $7500 for Team in Training and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Why? As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2002. It came as a shock to me and my family. After a year of treatment, I was thrilled to be cancer free. After two years of cancer freedom, I was thrilled to become a mom. All of this was made possible by one thing...successful cancer research that showed the treatment regimen for Hodgkin's Lymphoma chosen by my doctor would work. And it did. In 2013, I will be celebrating my 10th year without cancer. I will be wearing this number proudly. It is because of you that I get to celebrate this anniversary. To say that I am thankful to you is an understatement. You are saving lives with your donation...and I am living proof!

This year I train for many...my friend, Judy, who recently finished treatment for breast cancer and my father who is celebrating over 15 years cancer free. My friend,Tammy, who I completed the Marine Corps marathon in 2009 in honor of who is now cancer free. My friend, Melina, who has been treated for ocular cancer over the past year. And just last week my uncle who was diagnosed with prostate cancer for the second time. The battle never ends. The research supported by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society not only helps those diagnosed with blood cancers, successful treatment regimens help those fighting many other cancers as well.

So thanks for helping me reach my goal today! I will update my page as I train for St. Anthony's Triathlon so stay tuned...

DAY 1 KICKOFF

The first day of training started of with a bang (literally, I hit the ground running!) In the midst of my Disney half marathon training, I ran 8 miles as the rest of my team enjoyed a three mile run. I was going along nicely when my the toe of my shoe caught on a raised bit of road and boom, I was down. After such a graceful fall and a less graceful recovery, I dusted myself off and finished the last 1 1/2 miles to our starting point. Well, I proudly finished my mileage despite the fall. I am ready for a better swim training on Monday! Go TEAM!

Day 2 Swim Training

With my arm a little sore from the fall, I went into tonight's training with trepidation and excitement. I have always enjoyed swimming. Tonight was no exception. There were drills on body positioning and kicking and I learned a lot from them. These are things I never considered when swimming. I really enjoyed the practice session.

What made the training session even better was meeting all of my other teammates, even another survivor. Everytime I meet someone dedicated to the mission of LLS, it is really inspiring. Now, on to cycling!!!

Day 5

I was unable to squeeze in my cycling training this week, but was able to finish a 4 1/2 mile run despite some cold rain drizzling down as I started out. The rain stopped and I felt happy to complete a fairly good distance. Tonight I practiced the swim drills we were given during our group training on Monday. I felt strong in the pool and was thrilled when I applied the techniques in the drills to my freestyle stroke and found that I went faster!!! My shoulder is still twinging a bit from my fall last Saturday. I hope that ends soon!

Day 6

I finally got my initial emails for fundraising out. Thanks to those who are supporting my journey by making a donation today. I really appreciate it!!!

Day 7

Back to GTS. It was a very chilly morning as my team gathered at Columns Drive for a bike ride followed by a run. I am not going to say I was thrilled about the weather but Coach Dave reminded me that I HAD volunteered. He was right. I started thinking about why I was out here. Someone out there had blood cancer and was fighting so I could do the same. I was thrilled to see Christie, who always makes me smile when we train together. It was also nice to gather with my team. It really does make it easier when all of that support is around you. After a 10 mile ride, we managed a short 2 mile run. All in all, a great training session.

Day 8

Back to half marathon training with a 9 mile run this morning. I was glad to have some company of my mentor, Joy, and her friend. Until now, I had been going it solo on the run training. It made the run easier and more fun. I felt great after the run but feel a cold coming on. I am hoping for the best!

Day 9

Swim training-I have never learned to swim "technically" and it is presenting its own set of challenges and triumphs. We had a series of swim drills which built upon each other and by the end, I felt I no longer knew how to swim. I seem to manage each drill fine (with the exception that Coach Sarah does not dig my quick, short strokes : ) but putting them all together is something I really need to work on.

Day 14

Ah, Thanksgiving travel left little time for training but I managed a six mile run today with Kelley. It was fun and comfortably paced.

Day 15

Another fun KSR to Stone Mountain with the gang. 25 miles on the bike! I am feeling strong cross disciplines but my shoulder is still feeling the pain of my fall a couple of weeks back. I look forward to full recovery!

Day 16

Swim training again-its all making sense to me now!!! I still need to work on getting the most out of my stroke but all of the drills are falling into place for a stronger freestyle swim. My shoulder was sore by the end of the work out but I am still feeling strong (albeit tired!)

Day 21

We are back on the road for a ride/run combo training. The pace has been comfortable.

Day 22

A long and hilly 10 miles training for the Disney half. I felt tired but accomplished as I finished the run. I had the pleasure of running into the KSR folks at Stone Mountain then spending the rest of the morning with my amazing partner and son as we climbed to the top!

Day 23

So far I have been able to get 95% of my training in. It seems to be a really busy time of year and my body is definitely feeling the fatigue of training for multiple events at once. Tonight's swim brings additional swim skills to practice.

Day 28

Christie and I met up before the team to get the training done due to busy schedules. We held a nice pace on the ride and I enjoyed a run/walk. Its great to be training a laughing together.

Day 29

My final long run for half marathon training. I managed 11 1/2 miles. My start was strong but my hips were not happy by mile 7 and I ended up doing some walking. It was great running with Cameron a bit and catching up with him but I was happy this training was over. Now a nice long taper!

Day 51

After enjoying the holidays, I decided I needed to get back to updating. Training continues at a fair pace as I am tapering down for the half marathon and running 4-6 miles at a time generally. The half is in less than two weeks! Tri training has become more regular for me and I feel less overwhelmed by the schedule. I enjoy swimming and continue to learn new technique and I have become more and more excited about cycling. My fundraising has taken off and I am so grateful for everyone who is supporting me in this effort. It has brought good news all around as my uncle has completed radiation treatment and Pa appears to be recovering from his prostate cancer surgery. I am thrilled with this good news and hope that 2013 brings even better health to those I know and love. Happy New Year!

Day 63

The half is finally here! I woke up this morning feeling less than stellar as I readied for my first 10 year anniversary endurance event. I felt well prepared but a headache and nausea told me this was not going to be my best run. By mile 10, I was not feeling much better but happy to be nearing the end. Instead of thinking about this race as no PR for me, I began thinking about all of the people along the course. I met some great TNTers along with several AMAZING survivors who inspired me not only to finish, but to finish feeling strong! I remembered why I am doing this-to celebrate my success and theirs and to help others experience being a survivor rather than a patient. These thoughts pushed me through the finish.

Day 66

Back home just a couple of hours and right back to swim training. I enjoyed seeing my teammates again!

Day 77

After a few days of rest, this Silk Sheets ride and almost three mile run felt much better today! I am looking forward to many more...

Day 78

Today one of my personal honored heroes lost his battle. Pa will be missed for his boundless energy, strong personality and connection to his community. This is such a sad day for us and especially for Kelley and her family.

Day 99

Hard to believe we have been training for over three months now. I keep trucking through despite another fall on Saturday. This time on the bike while riding over some ice. My knee might have a nice scar or two but I was proud to ride 27 miles after that. I skipped the run though. Cross training has been a plus because I have not been able to get many long runs done in preparation of the Publix half in a few weeks. On Sunday, I finally got a 10 miler in though the time was not fantastic. I feel like I continue to get stronger on the swim though I remain the slowest in my lane. Tonight was a difficult one, as my teammate Mae, continues her cancer battle with a rediagnosis and chemotherapy. She is such a strong fighter and I look forward to her finish at the tri. I am looking forward to the upcoming fundraisers!