Sunday was Lavaman. It went amazingly well, especially since I had been sick the night before. My original goal for the race was to complete it in 4 hours, but as my cough worsened in the weeks leading up to the race, I uppped that to 4:30. Then the night before the race I got glutened.  Then and there I made a new goal — to finish in 5:00. Amazingly, I was not too too sick, and finished in 3:51, beating my original goal!

My dad, Stan, decided just three weeks ago to join me in Hawaii, also competing. He finished in 3:05, which is an amzing time.

I've had such a good time in Hawaii, not just competing at Lavaman, but checking out the Kona Ironman swim course (pictured), and spending time with my wonderful teammates. Thank you to all of you who donated this season and in those prior. Mahalo!

Saturday was our practice tri out in Half Moon Bay. Other than a few sprinkles on us while we were in our wetsuits, it was a beautiful day, as you can see from the run.

March 11 is the final day to get to our fundraising minimums. For Lavaman, that minimum is $4,000. With matches, I am only $85 short of that. I've already paid for coaching and race fees, so your donation goes entirely to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, sending your contribution  to research and patient care. Thank you for giving what you can.

I think maybe people wonder why I do this. Why be part of Team In Training (TNT)? Why train for endurance events?

In 2012 I was looking to try something new. At the same time, a dear friend's mother had been diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and was undergoing chemo. I sent her little gifts so she knew I was thinking of her, but I wanted to do more. I remembered a family friend had completed a marathon with TNT a couple years prior, and thought, why not check them out?

I went to an information meeting thinking I would join the hike team because I had always hated running. However, I met the amazing Michelle, who told me that there was no need to run — I could walk a half marathon and she would coach me. I signed on the line and was off. Michelle has continued to be a strong influence, even convincing me to switch from a half to a full marathon my very first day of training.

TNT raises funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), providing services and support to current patients and their families, and committing funds to research drugs to treat blood cancers, drugs that often also treat other types of cancer. My personal Honoree, Beth, died of AML my second season with TNT. She had previously lost her daughter and father to AML. I'm with TNT to help other families avoid the devastation cancer can cause.

I've met some amazing people as I've trained, including Paola, who completed a triathlon before being diagnosed with cancer and returned to TNT afterward, and Natalie, who joined TNT while still taking oral chemo to treat her cancer. There's Don, still undergoing active treatment while kicking my butt on the bike. And Christian, who is seeing large reductions in his cancer after being told that he was terminal. They inspire me to keep going and to do more things I thought I couldn't do.

I know I am annoying, always asking you to give what you can. I will continue to ask. And I will continue to give what I can, until we beat this.

Today I rode outside. Twelve miles. It was incredibly painful, and so worth it.

I realize I've been tossing about triathlon terms pretty freely without defining them, so here's a brief primer for those unfamiliar with the sport.

There are basically four triathlon distances: sprint, Olympic, half Ironman, Ironman. An Ironman is comprised of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon (26.2 miles). A half Ironman, which I am going to do in July, is half that, so a 1.4-mile swim, 56-mile ride, and half marathon (13.1 miles). An Olympic triathlon is composed of distances that are pretty standard for Olympic races, which of course are done on their own. There's a 1500m swim (.9 miles), a 40km ride (25 miles), and a 10k run (6.2 miles). Sprint tris are basically anything that's shorter than Olympic distance.

Lavaman, which I'm working toward this season, is an Olympic distance race. While my years of swim team and marathon training have prepared me for the swim and run portions, I've only been riding a road bike since June, and my longest ride ever, which was several years ago, was 31 kilometers. 40km is definitely going to be a challenge. However, I know that while I'm training and fundraising for LLS, they're helping patients currently in chemotherapy and funding research to treat future patients. And if my friends can handle chemo, I can get back on the bike.

I hope 2015 has gotten off to a great start for all of you. I, unfortunately, have been a bit sick starting off the new year. It hasn't stopped me from walking and getting the bike on the trainer, but unfortunately running and swimming are out.

That said, just gettign the bike on the trainer has been a big deal for me. My hand is out of the cast and I'm able to pick up the bike again! Hopefully soon I can rebuild strength and flexibility enough to ride the bike outside.

Getting back to 100% is important not only for Lavaman, the race I'm currently training for, but for all my plans for 2015. After the race in Hawaii, I'm working toward a half Ironman in Napa in July. It's hard to believe that just under three years ago I started working toward my first marathon. Clearly the craziness my teammates and I share to do bigger and better things as we help more people has hit a new level.

I hope you're all happy, healthy, and staying warm!