Getting close to the big day! A little more than 2 weeks to go to reach my fundraising deadline, and less than one month away from the triathlon! I'm feeling so much stronger and a little bit faster in all of my workouts the last couple of weeks (even running-take that, 100+ degree weather!). We also had our first open water swim this week (on my 30th birthday!), and as nervous as I initially was-I ended up loving it!!!!! Other than needing to practice transitioning and getting in/out of a wetsuit, I am really starting to feel physically ready to kick some tri butt!!!! Can't wait til race day!!!

On the fundraising side of things, I'm actually only a couple of hundred dollars away from my goal!!!! (Although this is not consistent with what shows up on my fundraising page-there have been several donations that just haven't posted yet.) Please help me get there-any donation, no matter how large or how small, really makes a difference!!!!

GEAUX TEAM!!!!

Erica

One more week of training down....5 weeks until the triathlon, and 4 weeks for me to reach my fundraising goal! This was a busy week of training and I am tired but proud for making it through all of my workouts this week....especially the runs. I've decided it's just not really a whole lot of fun to run when it's this hot. Each time I set out on a run, I try to remind myself that I'm doing this for something that's much bigger than me (and my dislike of the heat), that what we're doing can really save lives.

On the fundraising side of things, I'm now more than halfway to my goal (I have received a few checks that haven't posted to my fundraising account yet)-but I still have a little ways to go. Any donation, no matter how large or how small, makes a difference in someone's life. And it all adds up.....I found out a few days ago that so far our triathlon team has raised about $20,000 for cancer research, and if everyone reaches their goal we will have raised about $40,000 (or more). Help us reach our goal! I know everyone has someone in their life who has been affected by cancer, even if it hasn't been leukemia or lymphoma. And remember, every dollar that is donated is tax-deductible and goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Time to relax, rest up a bit, and get ready for another awesome week with Team in Training!

Wow! I've had a lot of donations come through in the last few days! Thank you to all who have generously contributed. Your donations are going to a great cause-to further research and treatment for those suffering from blood cancers.

This was a tough week of training (especially since I was on vacation last week!!!)-but I honestlly enjoyed every minute of it! (My sore muscles are in slight disagreement with that statement.) I am thankful to have such great teammates and coaches to get me through our workouts (like running in 100+ degrees.....I definately wouldn't do that on my own!).

I am glad that I'm ending this week feeling much differently than I did at the beginning of the week. A week ago, I was having serious doubts about being able to reach my fundraising goal. Then, after suffering through a hot and difficult track workout, I began to wonder if I had enough physical (and mental) strength to complete the training. After several workouts that have gone much better than that difficult track workout, and because of the generous donations that have begun to come in, even though I have a way to go, I am confident that I will make it happen. In addition to the support I received this week from family and friends, some teammates and I were able to collect about $400 over the weekend by "panhandling" downtown. So an additional thank you to all of these anonymous donors!

Looking forward to continuing this journey!

E

So life has been kind of a whirlwind since I joined the Team in Training a few weeks ago, and I wanted to take some time to explain my motivations for participating in this amazing organization. I have to say, that in the short time that I have been involved in this organization-this has to be one of the most inspiring, dedicated, and caring group of people that I have ever been around.

After moving to Austin in 2005, I fell in love with running (as so many Austinites do-how lucky we are to live in a city with so many wonderful places to run!!!!!). My typical run was 3-4 miles around Town Lake or Brushy Creek, as well as a half marathon in February 2008. It wasn't until summer/fall of 2009 that I thought about taking it a step further. After a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my uncle Donnie was diagnosed with oral cancer (in addition to having a diagnosis of scleroderma) within a couple months of each other, I began to realize how lucky and thankful I am to be healthy. So, I decided to join a training group, and completed my first marathon in February 2010. In the fall of 2010, I purchased my first road bike, and it was love at first pedal. About this same time, my aunt Christy was diagnosed with lymphoma-just a couple of months after my uncle Donnie passed away. When I heard about the Team in Training and their mission a few months later-it only seemed natural to train for a triathlon and raise funds to cure cancer along the way.

I know this journey will be difficult, I will doubt myself, and I will probably want to quit from time to time. On a much smaller scale, I'm sure these feelings are similar to the feelings cancer patients may have regarding their diagnosis and treatment. I am excited and scared about this journey, and hope to be successful. It is up to me to complete the physical training-but I cannot meet my fundraising goal without the help of donors. Remember, all donations are tax-deductible and go directly to support the mission of LLS.

Cheers!

I am training to participate in the Avia Triathlon in Austin, Texas on September 5, 2011. I love running, love cycling, and like swimming (especially when it's 105 degrees outside)-why not put them together, right? I am training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 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 doing this is honor of my "favorite aunt" Christy Talbot who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2010.

This new adventure is a bit intimidating for me, but it's exciting to know that I can get healthy, accomplish goals, make friends, and save lives all at the same time! Just knowing that I'm part of this amazing force is reason to be appreciative for everything I have - my health, family, and friends - and to love life every single day.

If you believe in me and would like to see me accomplish my goal, make a donation to support my participation and help advance LLS's mission! And did you know your donation is tax deductible? All you have to do is print your receipt and keep in a safe place until it's time to file your 2011 taxes

Thanks for your support!

Erica