I race for something bigger than myself.

I made the decision to leverage the ultra-aerobic background I garnered playing softball to compete in this year's Nations Olympic Triathlon in DC on September 13th of this year (and don't be fooled - the race length is olympic, not my athletic level). I'm doing so as a proud member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training program. The premise of this wonderful organization is two fold: raising funds to support cancer treatment research and development, as well as taking folks like me under their wing and inserting a little exercise discipline into their lives as the vehicle to do so.

This goes without explanation, but cancer is a disease that will undoubtedly affect every one of our lives no matter which form it arises in - my siblings and I unfortunately lost 3 of 4 grandparents to various forms of the disease. The economy may be at its lowest point in years, but cancer doesn't heed this fact and halt its progression as a result.

Both those inflicted with cancer and I will be humbled and honored if you would consider making a donation in support of my participation and the organization's mission. As an added bonus, I'll be put through a tremendous amount of pain in the few hours it will take me to complete this athletic trifecta - a fact that I'm sure will compel my mom to donate a good amount ;)

Cheers,

Abby

Training updates -

May 16 - This marked my first swim practice in over 8 years. Needless to say, it wasn't nearly as effortless as it used to be, but I finished our set and have something to work off of. I gotta tell you though - the smell of chlorine is something I didn't miss!

May 19 - Second swim practice and it was in an outdoor pool with no lane lines, which meant it felt like I was swimming in a big, choppy lake that whipped me around like a leaf in windstorm. Nuts, but good practice for the Potomac! Also, I'm officially a week into training and have already gotten $230, so I am very, very grateful for that. Thank you Kristin, Erin, and the Wilsons! :)

May 28 - Now in my third week of training and finally starting to get a couple of good workouts under my belt. Swimming this week followed suit in being a challenge, but I'm slowly getting my sea legs! That practice was followed by a bike workout last night where due to the humidity I was sweating buckets, and today will be a run. I'm waiting for my pants to get a little baggy, although I'm sure the mint chocolate ice cream last night didn't help. Oops! Also, last and certainly most importantly - many, many thanks to my parents, Chrispy (two times!), and friend Laura Ferry for the donations since my last update. Hugs and kisses to all!

May 29 - No workout update today, but just feeling very fortunate to work with ADP. Not only have my coworkers been very generous in donating to LLS/TNT, but if all goes well ADP will match their work dollar for dollar. Thank you Team Michigan!

June 12 - This has just been a very tough week workout-wise. Motivation has been elusive, and I laid on my couch for about 3 straight hours dreading going to the gym for a bike/run 1-2 punch last night. I had to smile though as I opened my mail box (I was even too lazy to do that yesterday!) on my way down to my car at 7:30p and saw a donation and letter from one of the most wonderful people I've been fortunate to know, my high school softball coach, Lev. And today, another generous donation from my sister Mili, her husband Bob & their clan. I've said it many times, and I'll say it again, but thank you - your generosity has not gone unnoticed. :)

June 22 - It is FINALLY starting to feel like summer outside and we've got our first open water swim this week as a team. I'm really looking forward to enjoying the weather and stepping out of the comfort zone of a calm pool. I also rode in the Tour de Cure on 6/14 and rode the equivalent length of what I'll be doing in the tri (25 miles) - I finished and felt great, so I'm only hoping this means great things! Latest thank you is to the mom of one of my dearest friends from college, Linda Vance - who I often said was a second mom after Kristin and I graduated from Albion. xoxo!

Aug 29 - Big lapse, and I'm getting close to race day! Our last bike/run brick workout is tomorrow and I just got my bike back from a pre-race tune up...so I'm feeling great about it performing up to snuff. Thanks to my family for their donations, as well as ADP's match for the cause as well.