Training & Teaming Up to Save Lives

As many of you know, I have been involved in endurance sports since I joined the ranks of the former athletes, and have been crazy enough to complete a host of half-marathons and three marathons since 2003.

Since moving to Minnesota, I have been searching for a way to compete and be a part of something much bigger and more involved. Because of this, I'm now training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I will (hopefully!) be competing in the Lifetime Fitness Olympic Distance Triathlon this July in Minneapolis.

I dedicate my training and fundraising, in general, to all those who have and continue to battle all types of cancer. Specifically, I dedicate this race and its preparation to my cousin Carrie, who passed away from a brain tumor in the fall of 2003 at the age of 13.

Please conisder make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Also, feel free to forward this page to friends and family.

Light up, light up as if you have a choice ... even if you cannot hear my voice, I'll be right beside you dear. - Snow Patrol, Run

Update 04.09.09

Again, I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated ... but my life has been a whirlwind the last couple weeks with travel for both personal (final four!) and professional (conference in ithaca!) reasons. However, I'm back in the Twin Cities for the next seven weeks or so, before I head to Italy at the end of May ... and I'm really trying to ramp up my training AND fundraising until then. I just launched on facebook a "Campaign for Spare Change" ot help raise money and awareness ... the tag line being, no amount is too small and very amount is thoroughly appreciated!

Update 02.27.09

It's been a while since I've updated, and just wanted to write a few lines about how everything is going == or perhaps just a few words as I am swamped with school work and studies right now! My training is going pretty smoothly (although the recent *blizzard* is hindering my running outside!) and I feel more and more comfortable in the pool after each practice. It reminds me a lot of what we say in Ashtanga yoga == practice ... all is coming. It's true on so many levels. Keep your nose to the grindstone and you can motor through anything == even an endurance swim workout!

Update 02.11.09

We had our second *team* swim tonight, and it really got me excited for things to come ... First, my co-worker and in-house mentor, Erin, went to the late swim with me and it was nice to have a friendly face in the churning clorine. Second, I received a *huge* compliment from one of our coaches tonight when I was asked where I swam in college. And to think, the swim has been the biggest detriment to my particpation in this event. A surprise and genuine compliment is truly the best kind. Finally, tonight, I was reminded why I was training during our misson moment. Basically, pre-workout, a member of the group has the option of sharing why they are participating in TNT. Erin shared tonight and explained to the group how one of her closest friends was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in the fall, but just this week received her last chemo treatment and is believed to be cancer free! It is those kind of stories that provide me that additional drive to go to training, to bug you for donations and make me believe that I am truly part of something much bigger than myself!

Update 02.06.09

This has been our first week of training, and despite having an overwhelming hectic class schedule I made it to the latest swim and a later spin this week. Both of these decisions were excellent on two major levels. First, it felt great to get in the pool again == I'd forgotten that swimming used to be a pretty integral part of my life and I have some pretty great summer memories of being at the pool. While it felt good to get the "first" swim and bike out of the way, I think the best part of this week thus far has been the camaraderie and the community opened its arms and said "Welcome to this adventure! We are so pleased you joined us!"