Wow! Thanks to the many generous donations from my supportive family and friends, I not only met my goal by the fundraising deadline, but exceeded it. You all have collectively raised over $3,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and helped me get to the starting line of my first triathlon. That means so much to me, and will mean even more to the patients and families of those who benefit from the cancer research and support services. Thank you.

And I'll remember your encouragement in less than three weeks when I'm up before dawn to plunge into the Hudson River with a swarm of crazy-capped professionals, and then again when I'm struggling to run across the finish line several hours later!

For those of you who have asked, that date is Sunday, August 7th, and if you're in NYC you can witness the spectacle from these points:

http://www.nyctri.com/Event_Information/Course/Spectators.htm

But since I'll be starting by 6 AM and finishing by ... I don't even know, but let's optimistically say 10 AM, there is absolutely zero expectation/pressure for anyone to make it there. Seriously, you've done enough already!

Well, it's been a while since I posted... My triathlon training got off to a great start in March, with two weeks of me loving that I was learning how to be a more efficient swimmer, how to get up early on Saturday mornings to run, and how to really appreciate the wisdom and motivation of wonderful coaches and teammates.

And then I went on vacation in Nicaragua and broke a rib when I was hit with a surfboard. (My own fault--and the amazing trip was still more than worth it! But for those of you paying close attention, this was just after finally healing from a rib injury I got last fall.) And then I had to stop exercise entirely for over eight weeks.

broken rib: third bruise up

It hurt, and it was frustrating, and I wasn't sure if I was going to recover in time to be able to do this triathlon in August. But in the last few weeks I was cleared to train again. I bought a road bike, and I decided to officially "recommit" to meeting my fundraising goals and completing this race.

my new Specialized from Mr. C's Cycles in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Starting to run, bike, and swim again has been hard, and I'm going to have to do a crazy amount of it in the next seven weeks to prepare for the event (the New York City Olympic-distance triathlon on Sunday, August 7th!). But now I have even stronger motivation to finish, and I consider myself lucky that I'm able to try. I'm so excited that I can move again, and training with this group has been a great reminder to keep my whole injury in perspective... I don't have cancer, I just fractured a bone that healed itself in two months.

And given that, it's the least I can do to help contribute support for those who do. I wouldn't be able to prepare for this race at all without the support of Team in Training, and with them I'm committed to raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you are able to donate any amount to help my individual goal of funding and completing this race, and to help their much larger goals of curing blood cancers and improving patients' lives, please click on the "Donate Now" button on the right above. Thank you!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support me and Amanda at our Awesome 80s Prom Dance Party last weekend. Your donations at the door and for raffle tickets were a great gift toward our triathlon Team In Training goals for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And your spirit on the dance floor was a special bonus prize!

Special thanks as well to Sharon Liao, who came early to set up, danced all night, and stayed late to clean up. She's on the right in the in the photo on the left with me and Amanda below--and she's running the New York City Half-Marathon this Sunday!

Prom queen honors went to Sarah Sanborn, TNT rockstar (below right). She made a special donation to the raffle prizes, showed up in effortlessly perfect costume, and befriended the entire party within minutes--all just hours after an injury. We hope her crown is healing her well.

And now Amanda's off to her triathlon in Hawaii in just over two weeks! Luckily, mine isn't until August--because I haven't actually started the official training program yet. But we just had our kickoff meeting last night, and now I'm really excited to get going. Today was a beautiful almost-spring day in New York, and I went for a long run(/walk) in Prospect Park. Group runs start this Saturday at 8 AM, followed by group swims on Monday evenings and bike practices soon.

And I need them! To everyone who is "impressed" at me doing this--don't be yet! I am in embarrassingly bad shape after a broken rib that threw off what little workout routine I'd had left. One core/strength-training class with my friend Victoria this week (that I'm still sore from) proved that... That's part of why I wanted to do the triathlon, to have a goal to work toward to get back in shape. And you can follow along here as I discover aches and pains I can't even imagine at this point, I'm sure. But having the support of so many friends and family members will help me tremendously along the way.

It also means a lot to be a part of Team In Training, racing for a larger purpose of helping the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you are able to donate any amount toward my fundraising goals at any point, that is a huge help, and you can use the links to the right. (75% of funds go directly toward cancer research and patient services.)

80s Prom Updates: Now featuring:

-cocktails from Bulldog Gin!

-a capella performances by the Colgate Resolutions!

-amazing raffle prizes including a 6-month membership to Crunch; gift certificates to SoulCycle and Pure Yoga; a Speedo waterproof MP3 player; a one-hour massage, and more!

Dig out those bridesmaid dresses, raid your local thrift store, or don your back-in-fashion hipster gear: We're celebrating the music, culture, and style of the awesome 80s with a prom-themed dance party that can't be missed.

That's right, my next big fundraising initiative is an 80s prom party! My friend Amanda (who's doing the Lavaman Triathlon with TNT in April) and I are joining forces -- along with the dynamic DJ duo Tony Rico and Sintalentos and our trusty party-planning committee -- to put together an awesome event on March 12.

$15 will get you open bar all night; bring extra cash for silent auctions, raffles, and more. All profits will be split between Amanda and me to go toward our fundraising goals. And prizes (along with Prom King and Queen status) will be awarded for best dressed, best dancer, and more!

All are welcome, and RSVPs are very much appreciated. (If you're on Facebook, you can RSVP here.) If you're in the NYC area, we hope to see you (way back) then!

80s Prom Dance Party!

Raffles! Photo booth! Prizes for Best Dressed!

What: Fundraiser for Amanda MacMillan (Lavaman Tri) and Sarah Hampton (NYC Tri)

How much: $15 suggested donation at the door (bring $ for silent auction, too!)

What you get: DJ, Dancing, Open bar all night

Where: 141 S. 5th Street, Williamsburg (between Bedford and Driggs), #2W

When: Saturday March 12, 8 PM - ???

In four days, my generous friends and family have already helped me meet my goal of raising $500 by March 1st for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in order to guarantee a spot with Team in Training in the NYC Triathlon.

I am blown away by your support. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated--including two intriguing anonymous sources of pretty significant amounts! (I hope you intended to be secret--even from me--and it wasn't just a trick of the Internet! If you donated but don't see your name on the list to the right, I don't know who you are and that's why you haven't received a personal reply. But either way, THANKS!)

Also, thanks to everyone else who has taken the time to express encouragement and/or intentions to donate. It's certainly not too late! I still have another $2,375 to go before the triathlon. But I'm so grateful to now know that's not an impossible goal.

And now that I'm officially on the Team, it's time to start some serious training! The pre-season practice for tonight may have been cancelled due to winter-storm-number-who-knows-what here in New York, but I'll hit the gym treadmill with renewed zeal, just for you all!