Racing to Save Lives

Washington D.C.

September 13, 2009, 7:00 a.m.

Me - barefoot, shivering, surrounded by elite athletes, at the edge of the Potomac River, ready to swim nearly a full mile in low-visibility, current-filled water... then to stagger up a ladder and to my bike, where I will shoe up, mount up, and bike (dripping and panting) 25 miles past the D.C. monuments in the early morning light... then to dismount (very slowly, I'm sure!) and run 6 more miles on foot to the finish line. Just imagining this wicked-long triathlon makes me wonder "am I crazy for even thinking of doing this??" and I am sure when September 13th comes along, I will have the exact same thought, but with even more conviction!

So why on earth would I train hard every day for four months, then get up at 0-dark-hundred to swim, bike, and run in the 4th Annual Nation's Triathlon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, when there is a perfectly good bed I could be in instead? Well, to put it simply: to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and I need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Leukemia and lymphoma are cancers that strike Americans of every age and social station. Leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow and blood) and lymphoma (a group of cancers in the lymphatic system) strike were expected in 2008 to strike 122,830 American adults and children.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. I pledge not only to train diligently and complete this race, but I also pledge to donate enough funds to cover the cost to Team in Training for my training and hotel room. Any donations you give in support of me will go directly to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to fund research.

Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated.

Gratefully,

-Leah Gomez

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!