MY FIRST HALF IRONMAN IS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. I scheduled this to evaluate how my training is going and because, well, I didn't want to go into a full Ironman without having tried a half first. Genius, I know.

On June 2nd, I'll be swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running 13.1 miles consecutively. I'M TERRIFIED!! Please help by sending cookies and links to motivational videos. Both seem to work for me. Just don't remind me that in 2 months I have to complete double that distance for Ironman Lake Placid.

So, as a fun little game (who doesn't like those?) I'm hosting a "Guess My Finish Time" contest!

How it works:

All those who make a donation to my fundraising from now until midnight on June 1st will be able to submit their best guess on what my finish time will be. Here's the breakdown:

$10 for 1 guess

$15 for 2 guesses

$30 for 5 guesses

To secure your guess, please donate on this site, and then fill out this Google doc: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bXRlyGOp8gyj8sTbN-CFipU3du_eNbwPrJwFLzukEM8/viewform

The winner with the closest guess will win a $50 VISA GIFT CARD!!

2nd place = dinner on me!

Helpful hints:

- My half marathon PR is 2:02

- In my first 45 minute time trial swim (in a pool) I finished 1.2 miles

- I rode the exact raceday bike course a few weeks ago and it was SO TOUGH and SOOO hilly. It took me almost 4 and a half hours! Crazy. Check out what I’m up against on race day (http://rev3tri.com/quassy/course-info-3/elevation-charts/

*look at "half rev" charts*

- Since it's my first half Ironman, I plan to take it easy and have fun. My goal time to complete the course is under 7 hours. Do you think I’ll be faster or slower?

DISTANCES:

Swim: 1.2 miles

Bike: 56 miles

Run: 13.1 miles

To my wonderful family and friends:

I wanted to pass along the happy news (in case you haven't already heard) that I'm an IRONMAN!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMpzzZZv298

Thanks to all of you and your donations and support along the way, I was able to raise over $9,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (still going for $10K!) and complete 140.6 miles swimming, biking, and running through the Adirondacks. (Yes, all in the same day - 16 hours and 13 minutes to be exact!) I've written a super long race recap (with photos!) - if you have a lot of extra time on your hands and want to hear my every thought from race day, let me know and I'll pass it along :)

Most importantly: I am beyond humbled by your kindness. Almost half of the new cancer drugs approved in the U.S. since 2000 (28/67) were approved to treat one or more blood cancers, and LLS helped advance most of them. As a donor, you own a part of this research and success. Not only are you significantly impacting blood cancer research, but research for other cancers as well; LLS-funded research is now being tested in sarcoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer, among others. (Please let me know if you're interested in hearing more specific details and I can pass them along.) This is incredible! Because of you and people like you, in one year LLS was able to invest $72 million, which includes funding for 103 new grants to researchers in academic institutions (including my alma mater, Kansas) and $8 million in contracts through the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program. This is absolutely phenomenal and again, could NOT have been done without the generosity of donors like yourself.

I am truly thankful to have been able to honor many of your loved ones, if only in a small way. Knowing I was honoring so many amazing people really kept me going when the race got tough. Still, what I did was nothing compared to what so many cancer patients and their families have to endure every day – I chose to do this; they sadly have no choice. Even though a lot of advances have been made (in the 1960s the survival rate for ALL, a specific type of childhood leukemia, was 3%. Today, it's almost 90%!), we still don’t have a cure for cancer. Researchers still need funding and patients still need support. You are helping so many people - our loved ones - now and in the future, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You are wonderful.

With sincere gratitude,

Kara

I can't believe race week is here. I felt like this week would never come. I am so unbelievably excited for Sunday that I can't even stand it. It's hard to focus on anything else! I'm counting down the seconds until my parents and I head up to Lake Placid...until I recieve my official race #...until I drop my bike off at transition...until I wake up on race morning...until I DOMINATE on race day (trying to only think POSITIVE thoughts here, people!)

All I want is to finish with a smile on my face. I know it's going to be hard, but I hope I can take in every single second and keep that smile for the whole race in honor of all the people I'm doing this for.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your support. It means the world to me. I feel so humbled to have such wonderful people in my life.

THANK YOU.

My bib # is 123 (hard to forget, right?!)

If you want to track me on raceday, you should be able to do so by searching my bib # here: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/lake-placid.aspx#axzz2ZntzYIBk

There is also an app for your phone called "Iron Trac" which will allow you to track me on raceday.

Lots of love,

Kara

I couldn't not share this. Looks fun too, right?!

18 days until I jump into Mirror Lake and begin Ironman Lake Placid!

To be honest, I'm pretty terrified. But as everyone reminds me, I'm lucky to be doing this. I get to do three things I love: swim, bike, and run. For those of you who are new (AKA I haven't been annoying you as much as others over the past year), here's a little background on my story:

As you know, for the past year, I’ve been training for Ironman Lake Placid (on July 28th) with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training program. I am committed to raising $10,000 to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease and myeloma. LLS has provided me with a training plan and the inspiration to take on the most difficult athletic challenge of my life.

An Ironman is unlike anything I’ve ever done. It’s a triathlon that requires me to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon. (That’s 26.2 miles, FYI). All in one day. 140.6 miles of fun! There’s even a time limit of 17 hours. I know what you’re thinking...“I don’t even like to drive that far!”

While, yes, I’m very passionate about running and swimming and biking (well, not as much the biking...) the real reason I’m doing this is to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I hope to wake up on my birthday, July 29th, as an official Ironman; knowing that I was able to raise 10,000 extra dollars that LLS didn’t have when I signed up.

Everyone always asks me “Why”. “Why would you want to subject yourself to that?!” It’s simple…I wanted to create a platform to raise money for cancer research. To help improve the quality of life of cancer patients. I want to NEVER AGAIN hear that another person has been diagnosed with cancer. The hardest part for me personally is that I never got to meet my maternal grandmother. I never got to meet the woman who raised my mother, the most amazing woman in the world. I grew up hearing wonderful stories about how wonderful and hard-working my grandma was. Cancer took away someone who should have been one of the most important people in my life, 3 months before I was born.

When I ran the NYC Marathon in 2011, my mantra of sorts was…“keep going. This pain will end. I have a choice.” Sadly, cancer patients don’t have a choice. This is why I run. And swim. And bike. LLS funded research teams have actually started to develop treatments for blood cancers that can be used in non-blood cancer cases as well. I have complete faith in LLS and the research they support and I truly believe that raising funds for them is the best thing I can do.

Fun fact: 28 out of 50 new cancer drugs (for all cancers) were first approved to treat a blood cancer. Because of the generosity of donors, in one year LLS was able to invest $72 million, which includes funding for 103 new grants to researchers in academic institutions and $8 million in contracts through the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program.

After a long year, I’m now 18 DAYS (AHHH!) away from the biggest race of my life. It’s so wonderfully exciting and nerve-wracking.

Will you help in my quest to raise $10,000+ for a cancer cure by making a donation to my fundraising campaign? The funds you contribute are 100% tax deductible and will fund cutting-edge research and meaningful patient services.

For more information on what LLS has accomplished, please visit:

http://www.lls.org/#/aboutlls/researchsuccesses/

Although I’m basically terrified for the Ironman, I can take solace in the words of a speaker at an LLS dinner I recently attended; “if you ever get scared, just stop, be silent, and focus on the beating of your heart. Bum bum. Bum bum. Bum bum. ‘Cause God, it’s great to be alive.”

(Look! LLS in Times Square!)

Monday: drove 16 hours from Iowa (rest?)

Tueday: 6.5 hour bike ride + 50 minute run

Wednesday: 2.4 mile swim (intervals)

Thursday: Run 10 x 90sec at 10K pace + 15 minute warmup, 15 minute cooldown

Friday: Glorious rest day

Saturday: 7 hour bike ride + 40 minute run

Sunday: 16 mile run

And now...we begin to taper! (This means my workouts get a little shorter to allow time for my body to rest up and recover, and get ready for 140.6 miles of fun in 27 DAYS!!

P.S. My race is on July 28th and my birthday is on July 29th...if you want to get me something for my birthday...go ahead and click the little button to your right that says "donate now". :) Me and all the patients LLS supports thank you!

Today, my Ironman training lasted 7.5 hours.

6.5 hours on the bike, 1 hour running.

Basically I exercised for an entire workday.

Yesterday, I drove home from Iowa (all in one day - 16 hours). Okay, Brendan did a lot of driving)...but anyway, we did this mainly so I could get this workout in before my vacation time ended.

It was 90 degrees outside for a good part of the day. I got two flat tires. It was HARD...one of the hardest workouts I've had yet. But according to my countdown app (no, I can't count myself), I only have 32 days, 3 hours, and 46 minutes until July 28th. This is scary. Why? Because on that day, I'll most likely be racing for double (or more) the amount I exercised today.

I had such a hard time mentally today and on more than a few instances, I started wondering why I'm doing this and tried to think of ways to get out of it. But as many people reminded me, I'm able-bodied and healthy, and I CAN do this. I must not quit.

I absolutely loved my half-Ironman adventure and can definitely see myself doing more, but I'm not sure I'll want to do another Ironman. I mean, it takes up alotttt of time and energy, my friends! But if we don't find a cure for cancer soon, I'm going to have to do this again. Fundraise again. Please don't make me do that. It's tiring! If you can, please help by donating. How much would you pay to NOT do an Ironman? :)

If you can't, please share the link with your friends and family.

With love,

Kara

Thanks to the New York Yankees, you can donate and save big!

Here’s how it works:

Make a $25 donation and I'll send you a promo code for up to 50% off New York Yankees tickets on select games! If you want the full PDF with discounts and the schedule, email me at k.beussink (at) gmail.com and I'll pass it along.

Thank you!

And now, for those of you I coerced into visiting my website by promising an unattractive photo of me in a wetsuit, here you go. (Is that the only reason you visited?!) Sorry the quality isn't better, but if you feel cheated I'll send you the JPEG; you just have to promise not to blackmail me with it someday.

I officially finished my first 70.3 distance triathlon...and I feel FANTASTIC!! It was an amazing day - I took it easy and just had fun. I reached my goal of finishing with a smile on my face. I can't believe I did it! But I'm not done yet...next up, Lake Placid Full Ironman!

Dear friends,

This week I swam 1.2 miles for the first time straight through. On Saturday I'm going on my longest bike ride ever – 56 of the hilliest miles in CT – followed by a short run. I plan to run again on Sunday for 2 hours. I know what you’re thinking…”WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU” or “I don’t care about your workouts, SHUTUP KARA”. But I'm not telling you this to brag or to make you think I’m some awesome athlete. We ALL know I'm not. I can barely walk 10 meters without running into something and I tend to trip on absolutely nothing more than is normal. I’m telling you because, well... this is CRAZY.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME DO ANOTHER IRONMAN.

I would prefer to have a social life and do more than just eat, sleep, and be sweaty all the time. If we raise enough money for cancer research, I won’t have to. I mean, what could I do next?! I’ve done half marathons, marathons, triathlons…I’m running out of options. The only thing I could think of that’s crazier is me wearing a Mizzou shirt, but we all that know that will never happen (please don’t make me do that). But I’m not stopping until cancer is cured. We sadly lost my Uncle Tommy last week to stupid cancer. It’s unacceptable. Why is this STILL happening????

Throughout my fundraising journey, I’ve unfortunately gotten a whole list of names of people who are fighting or have fought cancer, and I plan to carry these names with me on raceday. So, who do I swim-bike-run for? I do this for Uncle Tommy, my cousin Deseri Spooler Beasley, my grandma Anne, Ed, Sandy Eckstein, Colleen, Janet, Chad, Mike, Dina, Jean, Fred, Katie, Nancy…and EVERYONE ELSE fighting.

If you're not in a place to donate, could you please share this and help me get the word out?

Lots of love,

Kara

This past December, The New York Times reported on an experimental therapy developed by LLS-funded researcher Dr. Carl June to treat Emma, a 6-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who relapsed twice after chemotherapy and her doctors had run out of options. This groundbreaking treatment used a disabled form of the HIV virus (!!!!!) to reprogram the patient's immune system genetically to kill cancer cells. Nearly nine months since receiving this therapy, there are no signs of cancer in this young patient.

Dr. June received much acclaim in August 2011 when it was first reported that this therapy had shown success in treating adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While this research is still in its early stages, 9 of 12 patients treated with this therapy have achieved full remission (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

LLS has played a vital role in advancing the critical work of Dr. June and all the members of his team with an investment totaling nearly $15 million since the early 1990s. Even when others denied funding, LLS continued to fund Dr. June and his team, allowing them the chance to pursue this treatment and save lives.

With a recent SCOR grant in October, LLS’s investment in Dr. June’s team is now $21 million. Now, it’s 10/12 patients in remission (8 adults with refractory CLL and 2 children with refractory ALL). A greater investment and greater results!

Almost every day at work, I hear what we call "mission moments". A mission moment is a reason or a story about why we're here; why we're supporting the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

And you know what, guys? I'm SO sick of crying at work. I'm sick of hearing the mission moments that don't end well. I want all the mission moments to be happy stories that involve overcoming cancer (or the CURE for cancer) and happy families who get to spend time with ALL of their loved ones. Just yesterday in our staff meeting we heard a mission moment from an amazing colleague whose husband passed away on his 51st birthday. Everyone was crying within two seconds. I cannot even imagine. I don't want this to happen to ANYONE ELSE. We need to help stop this.

I've also heard mission moments with "happy" endings; one in particular always stands out...about how a woman who, after being diagnosed with a blood cancer twice and then participating in Team In Training and raising funds herself, essentially helped LLS fund an oral chemotherapy drug that keeps her cancer-free today.

Another mission moment was recently emailed to our staff here from an LLS supporter participating in our "Moms In Training" program. She mentioned we could share her story as a reminder of why it's important we encourage people to contribute to this very worthy cause. I think it's important to share. Fair warning: it's extremely emotional.

Dear Fellow Moms,

I am writing to thank you for being a part of Moms In Training. I am one of those mothers whose life has been impacted by these horrible diseases. My daughter, Savannah Rose was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was just 5 months old. After taking tests to determine what kind of leukemia she had, they started a treatment program and she received countless cycles of chemotherapy with intervals of time for her immune system to build back up. She had a broviac line put in her chest to administer the medicine and had to go under anesthesia to receive numerous bone marrow biopsies. Unfortunately, after going into remission seven months later, she relapsed. On April 18, 2010 Savannah passed away – she was just 19 months old.

Somehow through all of this, Savannah was able to find a way to be happy or as my son would say, the courage to be happy despite what she was going through. She had a sassy, joyful personality that was captivating to everyone who saw her. She had the ability to recognize how incredible this gift of life is and she wanted to experience it all. She also seemed to sense when we were upset and would pat us on the back as if to offer comfort to us. All of the nurses called her ‘Princess Savannah’.

I don’t know if I can truly express the depth of pain you experience when your child is seriously sick and the feelings of hopelessness and despair you feel because you can’t trade places with them; you can’t take away their pain or fear. You want to wake up from this nightmare, but you can’t. However, the very worst part is when you realize that your child is not going to make it and that this horrible disease is taking your child away from you. You world is shattered in the finality of the moment they pass away, knowing you will never be able to hold them again, or hear them call your name. Knowing you now will have to live without them the rest of your life.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been an amazing support for me. Being involved with this organization has taken away some of that hopeless feeling by giving me a direction where I can make a difference. By raising funds for LLS and being able to share Savannah’s story with all of you, they have helped in keeping her memory alive. As a mom who lost a child, you want everyone to know that your child was special and loved. I cannot tell you how much that means. By participating in Moms In Training, you are making sure people remember our children, the ones who have lost their fight and the ones struggling to survive.

Thank you for participating & for raising valuable funds that will ensure other moms don’t have to share stories like mine. You are making a bigger impact than you will ever realize.

I look forward to cheering you on June 8th holding a picture of Savannah.

Yesterday I “recommitted” to Team In Training and Ironman Lake Placid. This means that I’m promising to continue to fundraise for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and train for my 140.6 mile adventure on July 28th. Yesterday also marked the day that I embarked on my second run post-stress fracture. 1.2 slow miles. It’s terrifying to think that in 121 days, I have to run a marathon after swimming 1.2 miles and biking 112 miles…but I took a leap of faith, put some confidence in my weak little navicular bone, and signed my life away to officially secure a spot on the IMLP team.

Why? Because I never got to meet my maternal grandmother. I never got to meet the woman who raised my mother, the most amazing woman in the world. I grew up hearing wonderful stories about how fabulous and hard-working she was. Stupid cancer took away someone who should have been one of the most important people in my life, 3 months before I was born. That still makes me angry. My grandma didn’t die from a blood cancer like leukemia, but LLS funded research teams have started to develop treatments for blood cancers that can be used in non-blood cancer cases as well. I have complete faith in LLS and the research they support and I truly believe that raising funds for them is the best thing I can do. Please, please consider donating, so our children don’t have to grow up in a world where cancer still steals some of the brightest and kindest people from us.

I'm so unbelievably grateful and thankful that so many of my family and friends (and strangers!) came out to support me at the fundraiser last Friday. Not to mention all of you who donated before the event, all the way back to when I started fundraising in July. I still have a few more months of fundraising and you've helped me get so far in a short amount of time...meaning I have a lot more time moving forward to dedicate to raising MORE funds for cancer research and patient services. Each and every one of you have made me feel incredibly happy and optimistic that someday we'll live in a cancer-free world. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

Hi everyone! The fundraiser is tomorrow and we have some AMAZING prizes. (Sports & food fans will love it!) Again, it's at 7pm at Van Diemens on 27th and 3rd Ave in NYC. With a $12 suggestion donation, you'll receive a wristband for drink specials and one raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased at the door!

Raffle prizes/silent auction includes:

SILENT AUCTION

Autographed Carmelo Anthony Jersey

*6x NBA All-Star

*2003 NCAA National Champion

*2x Olympic Gold Medalist

2013 New York Rangers Team Signed Stick

Autographed David Beckham LA Galaxy Soccer Ball

RAFFLE

Autographed Patrick Willis Football

Autographed Frank Gore Football

Autographed Maurice Jones-Drew Football

Autographed Nick Mangold Football

Autographed Santonio Holmes Cleat

Autographed Mathias Kiwanuka Giants Football

Autographed Antonio Cromartie Jets Mini-Helmet

Autographed Vince Carter Nets Jersey

Autographed Devin Harris Autographed Nets Jersey

Autographed Zach Greinke Baseball

Autographed Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers Jersey

Autographed Drew Doughty LA Kings Hockey Puck

Autographed Anze Kopitar LA Kings Hockey Puck

Autographed Ryan Fitzpatrick Buffalo Bills Jersey

One Room/One Complimentary Night Stay at the Hilton Times Square

*Exp Date: July 30th, 2014

One Hundred and Fifty Dollars Gift Certificate to Bella Blu Ristorante

*Located on the Upper East Side

One Hundred and Twenty-Five Dollars Gift Certificate to Bobby Van’s

*Traditional American Grill with Classic Steakhouse Cuts

Dinner for Two at Benjamin Steakhouse

*Two Locations (NYC and White Plains)

Dinner for Two at The Seafire Grill

*Contemporary American Seafood Cuisine

Oscar Blandi Hairstyling Gift Certificate

*Average Value Approx. $600

$100 Gift Certificate to any Fourth Wall Restaurant Group Restaurant

*Smith and Wollesnky

*The Post House

*The Hurricane Club

*Quality Meats

*Park Avenue Winter

*Maloney and Porcelli

Tickets to a taping of The Colbert Report

*Show tapes Monday-Thursday at 6PM

*Must schedule by August 31, 2013

$25 Gift Certificate to Pamir Restaurant

*Middle Eastern Food

*Located in Morristown, NJ

$50 Gift Certificate to Keshkaval

*Cheese Market and Wine Bar in Hells Kitchen

$100 Gift Certificate to Rare Bar and Grill

Vera Bradley Miller Bag and Cosmetic Case

$110 Value

Cast Autographed 30 Rock Poster

January 22nd, 2013. Today is my first official Ironman practice. I will be running with my teammates and coaches outside tonight, on a balmy 15 degree night in Central Park. I can't wait to see where I am 6 months from now...and think back to this day. The first of many.

GAME ON!

I'm 10% to my goal! Thank you all! This is how happy I am:

Wanted to move these awesome friends/family back up to the top of my page - their names aren't listed on the side because of a technical glitch when I switched my event from the NYC Ironman to the Lake Placid Ironman, but again, I'm super grateful for their support! Love you guys!

Gina Gill $50

Cara Montgomery $50

Lindsay Vogelman $25

Denise Mulligan $25

Anna Durkee $50

Laura Paridy $50

William Rogers $50

Laurajean Holmgren $25

Kristin Jacobs $50

Leighann Lauro $25

Ali Hawes $50

My friend & coworker Melissa and I are both participating in TNT to fundraise for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Melissa is training for her first half marathon and I am taking on my first Ironman. Good news: you can help us find a cure for cancer without doing ANY physical activity yourself!

Why: Melissa is celebrating her THIRD year in remission! Plus, as employees of LLS, we have witnessed firsthand the impact this organization has made on cancer patients and their families - not just blood cancers, ALL cancers. 22 out of 50 new cancer drugs (for all cancers) were first approved to treat a blood cancer. LLS helped advance most of these - LLS funds more blood cancer research than any other voluntary health agency in the world.

Please come join us!

Location:

Van Diemens Bar

383 Third Ave (between 27th and 28th)

NYC

Details: $12 cover charge which goes directly to LLS! (Includes drink specials and one raffle ticket)

Drink Specials:

$3 Bud/Coors Draft

$4 Mixed Drinks

$5 House Wine

*A list of our amazing raffle prizes is coming soon - so far we have gift certificates, sports memorabilia, event tickets, and more!

Can't join us? Feel free to donate here :)

Thanks very much and GO TEAM!

My Ironman Training in Numbers:

…9 months of training ahead of me

…100s of miles worth of training over those 9 months

…100s of packets of Peanut Butter and Jet Blackberry GU energy gels to be consumed…

…140.6 miles worth of swim-bike-runni...ng, all on July 28th, 2013

…for the approximately 1,012,533 estimated blood cancer patients in the United States alone…

…$10,000 to raise for blood cancer research and patient services…

…because it costs on average $1 BILLION and 10+years to advance a cancer drug through to approval by the FDA

253 days...

6094 hours...

365669 minutes...

...until I toe the Ironman Lake Placid starting line.

The number that really matters? 13 donors so far to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

You are the number that push me to achieve everything above. If you're in a position to, please consider joining that number.