(kyle and I just before the start of the Vineman 70.3 in July)

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

In lieu of all the talks over Healthcare Reform, I invite you to experience an extraordinary event with me. This event takes place in Kona, Hawaii - a tropical paradise to many, and the ultimate challenge for the 1800 men and women whom I cheered for at the Ironman World Championships on October 10, 2009. This event and one athlete in particular will serve as my motivation when I compete on parts of this Ironman course myself in the Lavaman Triathlon as a representative of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training program.

My association to TNT began six years ago when I witnessed my sister and her fellow TNT teammates cross the finish line of the Honolulu Marathon. Since then, I have participated in several endurance events and remained in close contact to TNT through my good friend, Ironman World Championship Competitor, and Honored Teammate Kyle Garlett.

Kyle Garlett's successful battle against Leukemia was won after tremendous suffering and at a price most people cannot comprehend. The harsh radiation and chemotherapy were strong weapons against the disease, but they were equally strong adversaries continually waging war on healthy parts of Kyle's body as well. A shoulder replacement, a hip replacement, and a heart transplant - all were necessary procedures to allow Kyle's body the time to beat his Leukemia.

What pushes a man with a shoulder replacement to swim 2.4 miles? What urges a man with a hip replacement to bike 112 miles? What indeed would motivate a man with a heart transplant to run a marathon? The answer is simple - Courage.

Webster defines courage as "the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." Kyle has a simpler answer. When asked why after battling so long and hard against Leukemia he would even consider the Ironman competition, Kyle humbly answered "Because I can." And when you look into his eyes, there is a very vivid selflessness. He is competing not only for himself, but for all of us, and especially for the family members and the man whose heart now beats strongly in his chest. He does it for those whose battles with leukemia were lost. And finally, he does it for those whose battles have yet to begin. To those people Kyle would say, "Because I can...you can too."

Kyle's attitude and success came about from caring individuals like you. Without your generous donations, advancements in research would not be possible. Therefore, I have made a personal commitment to help Kyle and others like him by raising $10,000. In return for my hard work and dedication to this event and Kyle's continuous battles, I ask for your generous support.

All donations are tax deductible. Please join in the race for a cure by making a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

One final comment for you to consider...The etymology for "courage" is Anglo-French, coer, and Latin, cor, both meaning "HEART." And the etymology for "hero" is Kyle Garlett.

On behalf of Kyle and TNT, I thank you in advance for your support and courage. When you ask yourself why you should get involved, remember Kyle's own words, "Because I can..."

I hope you will visit my web site often.

Be sure to check back frequently to "read my blog."

Thanks for your support!