Tri-ing Something New

*** 8-11-08 UPDATES ***

Training is going extremely well! I now can consistently swim over a mile, bike to my heart's content on a gorgeous new road bike, and am even getting to be a better runner (and learning to enjoy it!).

Last Saturday, the team went to a bay in Maryland to do our first open water swim. It was intense!! Everyone started by treading water in a close huddle, meant to approximate the conditions of a race start, then on the command "GO!" we all launched into a swim. Everyone got kicked, grabbed, clawed, elbowed, and generally beat up in the chaos that ensued until we each found our groove. Open water swimming is really unlike being in a pool in that you can't see anything in the murky water, and need to constantly break your stroke to stick your head out of the water and re-align yourself to stay on course.

It was really a fun challenge -- even when I got stung by a JELLYFISH (who knew they had jellyfish in Maryland?!?). And yes, that really is a picture of me getting out of the water. Thanks to the wetsuit, I probably avoided more jellyfish attacks!

Anyway, the training is going fantastically, and I'm starting to get excited about race day. A huge thanks to all of you who have donated so far!! I really appreciate all your help. If you haven't yet, please do so now -- it's not too late, and every little bit helps!

WIth love,

Krys

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Hello Friends and Family!!

Well, I've had quite the eventful year. I've graduated from college, moved to DC, started a job, made a circle of wonderful friends, and have been studying hard for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test). However, there's one more big event that I have planned for 2008: a triathlon.

That's right! On September 14, I plan to complete the Nation's Triathlon, an Olympic-distance course that cuts right through the heart of my new home, Washington, DC -- I will be swimming through the Potomac River (1.5km), biking up Rock Creek Park (40km), and running past the monuments (10km). Should be amazing!

What's more, I'm doing it as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on TNT are raising funds to help stop blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma) from taking more lives. The real heroes on the team are those individuals battling blood cancer. I am completing this event to honor Kerwin Fulton, who passed away when I was a young girl, but whose phenomenal wife and children have meant so much to me over the years that they truly feel like part of my own family.

While the triathlon will no doubt test me mentally and physically, it certainly won't be harder than enduring cancer treatment, something that thousands of people do every day. I need your support to help LLS cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

As you can tell, I'm absolutely thrilled to take on this new challenge but I know that I will need the support of my family and friends, emotionally, mentally, and financially.

If you can, please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Donations can be made through this secure website. I really appreciate any support you can give!

If you're interested in my progress, I have set up a personal blog to keep you posted on how the training is going. Check it out at: http://trisomethingnew.wordpress.com. September may seem like a long time away, but I've got a lot of ground to cover between now and then. Thanks for supporting me in this adventure!

With love,

Krystyna

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