Emily King Team In Training Nation's Triathlon Fundraising

Racing to Save Lives

Front page follow up article! (you will have to copy and paste the link below into your browser, due to technical difficulties):

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20081001-NEWS-810010331

I am so irrevocably grateful for the opportunity to have raised over $5,000 of the $3 million raised at the Nation’s Triathlon to find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma, to have trained with Team In Training, to have had a triathlon partner like Lindsey, to have been supported by numerous individuals and businesses, and to have raced in memory of a few remarkable individuals. Thank you to everyone for their donations, words of encouragement, and thoughts and prayers. Below is a recap of the Nation’s Triathlon through my eyes…

Team In Training pasta dinner the night before Nations -- As we descended the escalator to the pasta dinner, we were bombarded with noise makers, clapping, and cheering, as dozens, and I mean dozens, of Team In Training volunteers and employees shared their contagious spirit with us. It was as if all of the soccer and track moms and dads had gathered to see how much noise could be produced in one evening.

6-time Ironman Champion Dave Scott spoke to us about his rise as a world-class athlete, and the progression of the triathlon as a sport. He overwhelmingly put the following day's race into perspective for me:

When stepping up to the starting line, the race is over, and the celebration has started.

That I will race my “first-triathlon” only ONCE in my life, and to enjoy every moment of it—the good and the bad.

And to do what you can with each moment.

Race Day -- With only four hours of sleep, I awoke ready to go at 4 am. We were on the shuttle from our hotel to the transition area by 4:45. The roads of Washington, D.C., already closed for the triathlon, were desolate yet beckoning to us soon-to-be triathletes. We drove by the Washington Monument, framed by the night’s nearly-full moon and surrounded by proud American flags. As we walked down the deserted stretch of street to the transition area, I took a mental snapshot, noting the moonlight, surreal in its reflecting off of the Potomac River; the triathletes almost marching with anticipation of the task at hand; and the lit-up transition area, now the temporary home of approximately 3,000 bicycles, looming closer and closer.

There was a lot of waiting around, waiting in line for the bathrooms, stretching, and setting up my transition area. FINALLY, at 8:12 am, our heat of 77 ladies took to the Potomac River.

The Swim (35 minutes): About 15 seconds prior to the gun going off, I found myself surrounded by 77 girls under the age of 25, all bobbing like buoys in the Potomac. I felt my heart rate jump, and panic set in. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself to the back half of pack heat, towards the right. Then the gun fired. I very much enjoyed the swim. In fact, I was so lost in the moment that I forgot to spot a few times, and found myself headed off course. My goggles leaked and had to be adjusted. It was hot with a water temperature of 78 degrees, and I flushed myself with water three times.

Transition 1 (2 min 2 sec): Exiting the water, I felt fresh. My wetsuit peeled off my body effortlessly. I found my bike, unlike the dreams I had had in the weeks leading up to the race. Socks on, sneakers on, jersey on, helmet on, sunglasses on, bike off rack. Ready to ride.

The Bike (1 hr 27 min): The course was amazing. The city of D.C. did a phenomenal job of marking the course, and shutting down streets. I biked past the Washington Monument. I biked by a babbling brook, and out some long 10 mile stretch parallel to the Potomac River. It was beautiful. I ate a power bar on my aero bars, and took in the scenery. Then I drank all of the fluids on me, as the temperature was nearing 90 at about that time. I held back a bit, worried about the impending run, and thinking I’d save energy for the final leg.

Transition 2 (1 min 41 sec): This transition was easy, as I simply had to to re-rack my bike and take off my helmet. I took a few seconds and dumped water over my head, as I was HOT.

The Run (1 hr 10 min): My legs were NOT fresh, and I was HOT but immediately had the chills. I knew that I was in for a long run. Water stations provided water, Powerade, and ice every mile. I stopped at every water station and dumped ice down my shirt. I walked very very slowly through the misting tents. I literally took it step by step, mile by mile, and did what I could with each step. Dave Scott's words remained fresh on my mind, "Do what you can with each moment." After the race, I found out it was 98 degrees with high humidity.

Recap: I was definitely mentally and physically prepared for the Nation's Triathlon. The race was almost easy until I reached the run. Next time I will stand up more on the bike, and stretch out my hamstrings. I am glad it was 98 degrees. Although I certainly was not thanking Mother Nature during the run, it is now incredibly gratifying to have raced an Olympic length triathlon in extreme heat, and survived. And, I more than survived, celebrating victory post-race by eating a lot of food, downing a couple of beers, and dancing. I am astoundingly proud of myself, every single racer, the die-hard spectators, and my lovely fans that were there cheering me on. I will absolutely do another triathlon, in a heart beat.

And I lost my sneakers. My theory is that my sneakers were compelled to redeem themselves on the streets of D.C., and that they are there right now, happily running 7 minute miles around the Reflecting Pool, in triathlon heaven.

I placed 34th out of the 77 in my age group, and 424th out of 955 females. I am content with my performance and definitely see room for improvement.

See my training log: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=psl1CY9Auf9qortSXfzPqdA&hl=en.

To read all updates, please scroll down.

I am racing in memory of three amazing individuals:

Jack Hoyt

A beloved York High School teacher and passionate farmer who taught life lessons along with industrial arts.

David L. Hardy

An accomplished athlete and entrepreneur who helped pioneer organic recycling in California.

"May you embrace each day ahead of you and recognize this as your gift."

Gary Katz

A fun loving guy, wonderful father and husband, sports and political enthusiast, and all around great guy that is greatly missed.

Thank you to the following Gold Sponsors:

• Anne Erwin Sotheby's International Realty
• Selectwood
• Coastal Kitchen and Bath
• Scott & Associates Builders
• Martha's Garden
• Inn on the Blues

I have a to-do list.

To sky dive. Learn to sail. Visit the Eiffell Tower. Create an exciting career. Backpack through Europe. Learn a foreign language. Go on an African safari. Marry for love. Great White Shark cage-dive. Live in the moment, every single moment. Participate in a triathlon. Master West-Coast Swing. Hike Mt. Washington. See a Broadway show (or five). Invent something. Save the world.

Supporting my colossal “save the world” mission, while at the same time completing another to-do item, I have decided to train for a triathlon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I am raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, and in remembrance Mr. Jack Hoyt. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I have a to-do list. Do you?

Through me, you can help save lives. Help me train for the Nation’s Triathlon on September 14, 2008 in Washington, D.C. If you cannot make it to cheer me on, you will be there in my heart, your donations not only giving me the strength to push on, but saving lives.

So I have done it. I have signed up for a triathlon. With your help, I can save the world – one mile at a time. :)

How To Donate

Donate here on this website. It is fast, easy, and secure. Donations are posted immediately to my account with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. See top left.

In Addition to the Gold Sponsors, I'd like to thank the following businesses:

• Bagel Basket
• Bull Shirt
• Integrated Development Corporation
• Jay Clark -- Vestal, Dragon
• Liquid Dreams Surf Shop
• Papa Wheelies
• Rick's Restaurant
• Signature Title
• Surface Skate Shop

Updates

8/21/08 -- This past Saturday, August 16th, Lindsey and I completed a "Mock Triathlon" with our coach, Bob Ouelette. In lovely New Hampshire, we swam one mile in Glen Lake, which was practically a snorkel-for-beer-cans-expedition; biked 20 miles past a pleasant creek and up some seriously intense hills; and ran 4 almost-easy miles. The mock-tri, although slightly under race distance, was a fantastic preparation for The Nation's Tri. Upon exiting the water, Lindsey realized she had a flat. I, thinking I was super cool with my inflated tubes, decided to pump more air into the tire, so that the impending ride would be more like flying, and less work on my ever expanding quadriceps. I burst my tube. Tire changing clinic #2 followed...

I am ready.

8/3/08 -- Is it August already?!?! Summer, please extend your stay. 6 weeks to go until RACE TIME! So far, this experience has been incredible. I made it into The York Weekly, York Independent, and Weekly Sentinel. The community's response has been overwhelmingly supportive and generous. I raised approximately $3,200 in 9 days.

I may have reached the minimum fundraising amount required by the LLS, but if you were considering supporting me, I invite you to still do so! I still have 6 weeks of tough training ahead of me, not to mention the Nation's Triathlon, and your support and encouraging words mean more than you may think...

7/23/08 -- The support I have received in the last week humbles me! Thank you York and beyond. I have raised about $2,000 in less than one week! I still have a lot left to raise in about 12 days (we have a fundraising deadline of 8/5), so if you are considering a tax-deductible pledge, remember that doing so online is quick, secure, and that every amount counts.

Thank you, I couldn't be doing this without you.

7/16/08 -- Check out the York Weekly article that came out today!

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/NEWS/807160318/-1/NEWS01

The first five local business to become a Gold Sponsor, will receive a spot on my training jersey, to be screen printed in the next couple of weeks.

7/13/08 -- Today I further understand my source of inspiration. What began as a way to get in shape, challenge myself, and give back to society has transgressed into the continuous restoration of faith in the human race. People amaze me. All sorts of people. In addition to those who have fought and overcome or sucuumbed to cancer, it's simply people. People that I see every day. People that give me encouragement, praise, strength, and motivation to continue. People that believe in me. I have known that what I am doing is wonderful, but it is now just realized and cemented.

I am nowhere near my fundraising minimum or goal, and already the support that I have recieved humbles me. Grace happens.

7/8/08 -- This website is now www.fightbloodcancer.com.

This makes it EASY to visit this website. No need to type in a long, impossible to remember web address. Just fightbloodcancer.com. So tell your friends, help spread the word. Thank you to Integrated Development Corporation for the hosting and redirect.

7/6/08 -- At Long Sands Beach today, was a surf contest to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of a summer local named Andrew -- a 17 year old surfer who lost his battle to leukemia. The courage that he possessed when faced with the greatest challenge of his life, gives me the strength to push on with this triathlon -- both the physical demands, and fundraising efforts. The more money raised, the more research performed, and lives saved. FACT: In 1987, the five-year survival rate for those with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia was less than 55%. Now it is 95%.

6/28/08 -- Today I bought my first road bike!! I bought a Specialized Dolce Elite. And I road 25 miles on it. I love it!!

For more info on the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, go to:

http://www.lls.org/hm_lls