Well folks, it is almost game-time. The training is essentially done (completed the last 1500 meter pool swim this morning and a 30 minute ride later today). Pssst!, don't tell my coaches but I may skip the ride today since i'm kind of beat and its really hot today :-)

I cannot believe that in about 72 hours I'll be swimming, biking and running for those who cannot. That thought needs to stay with me especially during the run. I would like to take this moment to thank all of you that have generously supported me with either your donations or words of encouragement or both. I also want to thank the awesome coaching I received and the great help and encouragement from the LLS staff.

This has been a great adventure and if you ever consider doing a triathlon, marathon or 100 mile bike ride this is the group for you.

It will be a nice change to only to help and coach my marathon peeps and not have to do two work-outs a day like I have for the past 6 months.

If you would like to make a donation there's still plenty of time. This page will be available for at least a month after the event and I promise to post a post race wrap up so stay tuned :-)

Please feel free to share this blog with others especially those suffering from blood cancer or for that matter any cancer. Let them know that there's a team of people running biiking and swimming on their behalf.

Well see ya after the race!

Hey All,

Sorry for being MIA the past few weeks. Between work, training and fundraising I've been lax with my updates. It has been an awesome few weeks with lots of milestones and yes more bike mishaps. So do you want the good news first or the solacious news first?

Ok I'll do the solacious. The team got together for our first "real" bike ride on the open road. It was a 20 mile route from Charlotte to Waxawh and back. I am happily peddling along at a comfortable 16 miles an hour when all of a sudden my front tire got caught in a big crack in the asphault and I went flying over my handlebars. The first thought that came to mind when I hit the ground was my god I hope the car behind me does not hit me. Fortunately that did not happend. Instead I trashed my front tire, my left arm-warmer, my left thigh and elbow. It definitely looked worse than it was, and thank god I had scheduled a deep tissue massage that day. That really helped.

I'm not much for signs but when I saw the baloon below which floated by on the day of this ride, that I was going to have a great ride....

On the good news front, swimming is going really really well thanks to our awesome coaches. We had our first open water swim about two weeks ago at a distaince of about half a mile. (that was longest I had ever swam at that time). I broke another milestone yesterday and swam a full mile. I never ever thought that would happen.

This Saturday we are doing are next open water swim and then a 12 mile ride and possibly a 3 mile run (kind of a min triathlon). Its going to be a busy day.

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me these past months with your generous donation. For those who just have not gotten around to it and want to make a secure donation it is not too late.

Have a great Memorial Day see you next post.

Hey All,

Training is definitely progressing we are actually doing a swim stroke and starting to build a base. A couple weeks from now we will be doing our first open-water swim at a near by lake. I am a bit nervous about that but also excited as well.

You could be here for only $5!

Actual picture of hammocks just out front of the condo)

Yep you read right, the raffle is still going on but tickets are going fast so

• 1st Prize 1 Week in Grand Cayman
• 2nd Prize 1 week in the Outer Banks
• 3rd Prize Apple IPad 2

Drawing is 5/13/2011

For every $5 you donate online you will recieve 1 ticket. Everyon $10 you donate online you'll get 3 tickets.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT TO WIN!

So make your donations Now!

Hey All,

I know I just made my regular post but I had to let you know about an awesome opportunity to win an Ipad 2 or perhaps a vacation. Our team will be hosting an event on May 13th at Tyber Creek Pub where we will raffle off some great prizes. You don't have to be present to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize. 100% of the proceeds goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Here's the 411.

When: Raffle Drawing May 13th (Don not have to be present to win)

Where: Tyber Creek Pub

When: 7pm

Extras: Drink Specials, food and door prizes.

Tickets: 1 for $5 and 3 for $10 (while quantities last, only 3000 will be sold)

Call me at 704-779-5229 or email: gdeacon@yahoo.com to purchase your tickets

I can do check, cash or paypal whatever is best.

Hey All,

Its time for another bi-weekly (or possibly a little longer) update from your's truely. I swear I feel like I am on one of thse wheels in hampster cage. I am either swimming, running or biking almost everyday sometimes two work-outs a day. That has been the toughest since its hard to find both the time and the energy, but I am doing it. I have to remind myself that the people I am doing this for have it much worse.

Since we are on the subject of blood cancer patients let me share with you some factoids on blood cancers....

• Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under the age of 20
• Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers and incidence increases with age
• The survival rate for myeloma is only 38.5 percent. Incidence is nearly twice as high among African Americans as for all other races.

This past Saturday we had another team ride with a chilly start. We rode down in South Charlotte in a neighborhood that surrounds a gulf course. Beautiful homes to look at as we rode the 3 mile route. One thing though as Coach Ruben was pointing out where we would meet-up after the ride I rubbed my front tire on the back of my team-mates and I took a spectacular tumble. I had my cell phone in the back pocket of my jersey thank goodness for the case that protected the phone. A $20 case replacement is definitely better than replacing a $500 phone.

Here's some pictures of that day (sorry no pics of the fall :-) )

Getting ready for the ride

My teammates Keri and Charity feel the love :-)

Me and Charity

Ok you've heard me talk about swimming so here's the proof that I am getting in the pool time. Beware this is not for the faint of heart (pictures of a pale, fat, middle-aged white guy)

Kick on side

Much need res between sets.

Thanks to our friend and staff person Jodie for taking these pictures.

Hey if I am brave enought to post pictures of me in a bathing suit on the internet you can step up and make a donation any amount is perfect.

Well that it for this week. See ya soon