The Finish Line is Near....

Thanks for checking out my site.

If you haven't already heard, I'm training to run an Olympic Distance Triathlon this March in Kona, Hawaii. Yes, that's right; a mile long swim follwed by a 26 mile bike ride and capped off by a 6 mile run....woo hoo!

Instead of training just to improve my overall health and well-being, I decided to participate in this endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us involved with Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

I was inspired to run this event by my friend and student Ben Pearson (pictured above). Ben was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 7. He has received treatment over the past two years and is currently in a maintenance stage. He is an unbelievably kind and caring 9 year old boy and I couldn't be happier to do this in his honor. As my training becomes more rigorous, I use Ben as my motivation as his battles were much more daunting. He is my inspiration.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Additionally, please pass my website along to your friends and family as every little bit helps.

As you receive future communications from me, make sure to check out my progress as I strive to raise over $5500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training.

Thank you all in advance for your continued support.

All my best,

Pat

Week 15 Update 2-8-10

After training with a real road bike (lent from a teammate), I enjoyed it so much and decided to purchase a brand new road bike of my own. I am excited about the investment because I have come to really enjoy the cycling part of training. In fact, yesterday I rode a little over 30 miles on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway with a few teammates and coaches. I have become very confident about the biking and running part of the triathlon, but am still a little nervous about the swim. My swim training is coming along gradually, but this upcoming Saturday will be the first real test as we head out and do our first open water swim in the frigid Pacific Ocean (good thing I picked up a wetsuit). Good news is the fundraising has been going really well thanks to all of those who have generoouslly donated. Please continue to pass along this website to friends and family as I would love to go above and beyond my minimum goal. We are almost there; thanks so much for your continued support.

Week 11 Update 1-5-10

Happy New Year! Thanks for checking in. My progress slowed a bit during the holiday break as I was in Chicago for 10 days. I got to the gym a few times, but not as much as I would have liked. I am definitely fortunate to be training in the beautiful weather of L.A. compared to the awful cold and snow of Chicago. I am back on track and am excited to continue my hard work and am finally getting my racing bike later this week (borrowed from a generous teammate). No more beach cruising for me. Anyway, as you can see, we have made great progress towards my goal, but the real push starts now. As my training becomes more rigorous, the push to reach my fundraising goal becomes even more important. Please continue to pass along my website to friends and family as every little bit helps. Thanks again for all of your support and enjoy a healthy and happy 2010.

5 Week Update 12-1-09

So far the training has been going great, but I still need to step it up on the fundraising end. My running has steadily improved over the past few weeks and I have been riding my bike to work at least twice a week (5 miles each way). I am saving some money to purchase a road bike so I don't have to continue trudging away on my beach cruiser. The swimming, however, has not been that easy. Who knew that something I have been doing since I was a kid could be so difficult. I have a lot of work to do in the pool before I move to the ocean. Thanks for checking in and please pass my website along to your friends and family. Cheers.