Well, things have certainly been interesting around here on the natural disaster front. August ended with shakes and gusts; but I’ll start back at the beginning, which was a little calmer. I spent the first week of August on Squam Lake with my mom, Sam, Zoe, Maggie, John, Sophie, Ben, Ingrid, Beau and Ruby. It was, as always, a very relaxing and rejuvenating week – a perfect way to spend my last rest week of the season and definitely the most restful one so far. I got in a lot of open-water swimming practice between East and West Point, went on some lovely lake-side rides (with plenty of hills) on my mom’s trusty hybrid, and even took the old foot out for a couple not-too-painful runs. Was great to have Maggie and my mom as swimming/running partners and such good company for the “resting” (and there was certainly lots of that). There was also lots of blueberry picking (and munching), kayaking, game playing, reading, napping, and of course devouring the endless stream of delicious food.

It’s been a triathlon training/preparing whirlwind since then. I can’t believe that the race is less than a week away… but I’m getting ahead of myself – I haven’t told you about the rest of August back in DC. So, here are some highlights:

- I got my wetsuit (as you can see - sideways)! After squirming my way into it (not an easy feat) I took a couple practice laps in the pool and I felt… fast and batmat-like. Don’t I look good in it ;)

- My orthodics arrived and I started breaking them in before my first real test run in our Saturday “brick” (a long ride followed by a run) to practice our T2 (the second transition from bike to run - I’m learning all kinds of new lingo). I can’t say that the transition was especially easy (running isn’t exactly what my body wants to be doing after a 90 minute ride) but my foot didn’t hurt! They have taken a little getting used to, but so far the new orthodics have served me well. The foot pain is much better and it’s great to be running again.

- I’ve been on several great Saturday group rides(/runs) around DC. It does mean I have to get up earlier than I’d like for a Saturday morning, but it’s been nice to have a change of scenery and good to be out of the roads with my fellow teammates.

- Last weekend we were supposed to do a mini “practice Tri” across the Bay Bridge in Maryland, but then this little thing called Hurricane Irene came along. On the heals of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that shook us (literally and figuratively – we’re not used to those things here) earlier that week, no one was taking any chances and our practice tri had to be relocated and somewhat adapted. There was no swimming, but we still donned our wetsuits and got to practice our transitions (T1 and T2 for those interested in the lingo) and we all finished the bike and run before Irene descended. I’ve since tried out my “de-wetsuiting” some more (much to the joy of my roommates), but still think I’ll need to practice a few more times, and doubt its every going to look pretty – but as long as I can get it off before I get on my bike I’ll be alright.

- We got our snazzy TNT tri suits and other goodies in prep for race day. I learned that Tri suits work very well for helping friends move in hurricanes (I just so happened to be trying it on when Willi and Dan were pulling up in the moving van) and that Willi is only slightly embarrassed to run with me while I’m wearing it (I had to take it for a test run and she got to be my lucky running partner).

- I had a successful bakesale at work with the help of my beautiful baking buddy Willi and my fearless fellow-triathlete-in-training friend Kara (how bout that alliteration?). We baked up lots of delicious cookies and brownies, my co-worker Wanda made a scrumptious cake and there was great support from all my co-workers at Cancer Control. Jenny also took some cookies to EDF and they were a hit – I got some great support from her co-workers as well.

- I reached and surpassed my fundraising goal!!! I’ve raised over $3,000 thanks to the generous support of so many. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have all become a part in the fight against cancer and these donations mean so much to those impacted my blood cancers.

And now it’s officially race week and we are tapering in preparation for the big day. Went for a nice short, slow ride with Jenny this morning (second time this weekend!) in Rock Creek Park and it was funny to think that what used to feel like a good weekend bike ride is now a short slow ride – I’ve certainly come a long way! A couple more practices getting my wetsuit on and off, some serious carbo loading, detailed list making (turns out you need A LOT of gear for triathlons), and lots of sleep this week and I think (no, I KNOW) I’ll be all ready to do this thing! Thank you again for all of your support over the past months. It has meant so much to have you all behind me in this amazing journey. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes….

Disclaimer: This post was supposed to go up at the end of July, but didn’t quite make it up before I left for vacation due to some technical difficulties – better late than never, right?

The training course has been a little hilly since my last post – I’ve had some ups and downs lately. The weekend of July 4th was definitely a high point. I was down in Yorktown, VA visiting my Aunt Deb and Uncle Dale – Willi came with me and my mom was there too. It was great to spend the long weekend with friends and family. I had a lovely bike ride with my mom through the Yorktown battlefields (very appropriate for the weekend of July 4), practiced my open water swimming alongside the Molly Waldo, and ate LOTS of yummy food! I also went on my first run in a couple weeks with my mom and Willi. And it was painful. Turns out that rest and ice didn’t do the trick for my foot. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of a bit of a downhill section (or I guess if your thinking in biking terms, it was an uphill climb). The next couple days were rough – I was hit pretty hard by what turned out to be strep throat. No fun. Luckily it was rest week… and that’s what my body needed. I pulled through the worst of it with help from my caring roommates, Women’s World Cup, and The Hunger Games. The sore throat lingered for a while, but I got back in the pool and on the bike, and got reacquainted with my good friend the elliptical. Last week I found out that I’ll likely be spending quite a bit of time with my friend the elliptical in the coming weeks. I finally broke down and went to see a podiatrist. Luckily it’s not a stress fracture, but he said I was likely headed in that direction and advised against running until my new orthodics are made (which will take 3 weeks). Bummer. But glad I got it checked out and hopefully the new orthodics will get my foot situation all straightened out (literally). So, like I said there have been some downs (did I mention the 100 plus degree weather we had last week? The heat index got up to 120 here - that's REAL hot!!). But also plenty of ups. Here’s a few more:

- I discovered the 50m outdoor pool down at Hains Point. It was great to swim outside and although the pool is twice as long as I’m used to, it makes the workout go by faster. Plus I got some good technique tips (critiques?) from my swimming partner Clint the Collegiate Swimmer.

- After a too long hiatus from bike rides with my roommate (and personal bike consultant/lender) Jenny I got back out on the trails with her earlier this week for a lovely morning ride down to Hains Point. Looking forward to a lot more of those when we're both back in DC.

- I stepped up my biking game with the purchase of some snazzy bike shoes. After some confusion involving a wrench, I got the right pedals on my bike, and (with a little practice) can now clip in (most of the time) and go real fast (at least that's the goal). I've yet to have any attached-to-my-bike related falls, but from what I hear, I likely have some in my future. I'll keep you posted.

- Long weekend training rides with my partner in crime, Kara. Our last one was preeetty hot, despite our early morning start, but we pulled through, pedaled on, and practiced our on bike refueling – bring on the water, Gatorade, Blocks, and GUs. 100 minutes in the saddle flies by when you've got such great company!

- A successful Lemonade Stand fundraiser! Willi and I put on our aprons, got out the sugar and butter, and baked 3 batches of cookies, cupcakes, and brownies. Kara brought lemon bars and more brownie and we squeezed A LOT of lemons. Throw in some good friends, newly met neighbors, can jam, cornhole, and beautiful weather and we had ourselves a grand old time. In true Hobart House fashion, all goodies and refreshments were free for all, but we accepted and encouraged donations to LLS and raised almost $250! We might just have to do it again. Although I think we'll cut back on the baking next time- we had LOTS of leftovers (not that our friends were complaining about that). A big thanks to Willi and Kara for their baking/squeezing expertise. And to all those that stopped by to sip, munch, and hang out (hmm… kinda like a lemonade stand “triathlon” – just think about how fun the training for that event would be! )

July has certainly been exciting. And tiring! But I'm still so happy to be doing this. And I'm SO grateful for all the support I have gotten from friends near and far. Knowing that I have such great teammates, friends, and family rooting for me keeps me going through the ups and downs as I continue to do my part in the fight against cancer. THANK YOU!!!

Well… it’s been awhile since my last post. I am now well into my training and things are ramping up. We’re into week 7 – chock full of 2-a-day workouts and early morning wake-ups. And the team email we got last week said that this is our “honeymoon period” so I can only imagine what the next couple months will bring (I’ll keep you posted on that). BUT, we are coming up on rest week #2 (although I’m not sure Coach Steve understands the definition of “rest”) and I’m actually having a lot of fun so don’t let me make you think otherwise. And, as expected, I’m learning lots along the way too. Here are just a few of the things I have learned over the past couple months:

1. Team in Training (TNT) has raised over $1 billion for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to fund lifesaving cancer research. These funds contribute substantially to LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. GO TEAM!

2. Getting up at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning is a WHOLE lot easier when you know there are smiling faces waiting for you and that there will be great company in the lane or on the road.

3. There are some truly inspiring stories out there. The tales of hope and strength in the face of cancer continue to amaze and inspire me. From the 13 year old boy who is determined to kick cancer out of the position of “public enemy number 1” so that he can resume the honor of that position, to the mother in her 30s who has already battled numerous cancers and still managed to cross the finish line of her first tri last year. These and the other stories I have heard help me drag myself out of bed before the sun is up and keep me going through long workouts.

4. Sunrise over the Potomac is beautiful! If you ever want to head down to Haines Point with me to welcome the day with a bike ride… let me know and you can see for yourself.

5. Sometimes you have to be flexible. And listen to your body. The last couple of weeks my foot has been bothering me when I run. So… I did the unthinkable (for someone who ran through 4 years of shin splints in college) and stopped running. I’ve been elipticalling instead, and icing lots. This seems to be working (imagine that!) because my foot has been feeling better. Hopefully I’ll be pounding the pavement again soon (and dragging Willi out of bed to keep me company).

6. I have an incredible and inspiring co-worker and friend (well I already knew that) who is in this with me… all the way! (Kara, I’m talking about you). I also have some great training partners that have already (or promise to) joined me for training runs, bikes, and swims. Definitely helps to up the fun factor. Thanks all!

Moral of the story: I am SO lucky to have found my way to TNT and to be a part of this wonderful group of people working hard every day to beat cancer. And I am very thankful that you have taken the time to visit my site. I hope that you will consider supporting me on my journey to the finish line by donating whatever you can to this important cause – every dollar helps get us closer to a cure!

This past Saturday marked the official kick off of the fall Team in Training season in DC. I marked the day by getting up before 7am and making my way up to Bethesda for an inspiring couple of hours. I met my mentor and coaches, heard tales of triumph, and learned more about what exactly I had gotten myself into. And how did I get myself into swimming .93 miles, biking 24.8 miles, and running 6.2 miles in one fell swoop you ask?

About 2 months ago I got a call from my good friend Kara Grace Leventhal. She was playing with the idea of doing a triathlon and wanted to know what my thoughts were. I didn't think too much about it before I answered, "I'm in, let's do it!" As we began to look into it a little more (and before we could talk ourselves out of it), we discovered that we could do the Nation's Triathlon here in DC through Team in Training - we would commit to raising money for a great cause while accomplishing our own personal goals (and hopefully having some fun along the way).

2 years ago, when I ran my first (and so far only) marathon with my mom for her 50th birthday I was VERY impressed by the enthusiasm, support, and inspiration that the Team in Training participants and supporters exuded at that event. Running with my mom was reason enough for me to be out there pounding the pavement (and putting in those long hours in Rock Creek Park) but I was struck by the powerful mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and how it carried so many participants to the finish line.

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about this whole thing and looking forward to being a part of the Team - swimming, biking, and running along with my teammate towards the finish line and a Cure. I offically started my "triathlon" training on Saturday afternoon, donning my new Team in Training t-shirt, my bright new sneakers, and hitting the trail with my running buddy Katy Willemin (who promises to accompany me on many a training run nd I'm going to hold her to that). I'll continue tomorrow with our first 5:30am team swim (which I am REALLY excited about).

I would appreciate any support you can offer me along my journey. Whether you can contribute a dollar (or 100), join me for a training swim, bike or run, or simply share some words of encouragement. Thank you in advance for all the support!

And now, I think it's time for bed.

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. 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 we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

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