Welcome to my 2014 Team In Training home page! 

It's hard to believe that seven years have passed since my mother (Joan) was taken from this earth by Lymphoma, that six years have passed since my father (Jim) lost his life, that seven years have passed since my sister (Cindy) died.  Cancer decimated my family in its wake - so many losses...my uncle (Bob), my wife's uncle (Bern), one of my best friends (Don)...all within this same time period.  Funny, it seems like a lot of time has gone by, but, simultaneously, it feels like merely the blink of an eye.  Personal loss is timeless, I suppose.

You know what else does not seem to wane through the years?  It is my relentless passion to race in their honor and to raise research funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS).  If my physical torture (ever done an Ironman?) can in some small part help find a cure or a more effective treatment or provide some relief to just one person, then it makes it all worth it.

On July 13, 2014 I will be taking on the Vineman Ironman 70.3 course, and until then I will training 9 - 13 hours a week in preparation.  I'll be in the pool, on the treadmill, on the bike trainer, in the open water, on the trails and on the road.  One step at a time, I will be getting my body ready to take on this tough course.  Also one step at a time, I will be inching my way toward my fundraising goal of $5,000.00.  I simply cannot do it alone.   Won't you please be a part of my TEAM and make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures?

I do this for my family, and for everyone who has suffered a loss due to cancer. I also do this in celebration of life and of the blessings I receive every day from my wife (Jennifer) and our three sons (Adam, Jake & Connor).  Thank the Lord for their good health and happiness!

This year, I'm also doing this to honor my friend and former TNT TEAM-Mate who is my personal hero.  We actually met during the run on the full Vineman course back in 2009, and this past year she faced cancer with incredible dignity, honesty and bravery.  Every day she inspired me.  Today, she is on the way back to full health, and soon she'll be kicking my ass on the race course again.  One Step At A Time!

The Cheryl Wheeler song link below is my own personal mantra.  I hope you enjoy it, and gain some of your own inspiration from it.  Thank you for your donations, and thank you for your consideration.

David (Bulldog) Ruckman

David Ruc