Toystry's New Story!

Christina's Quest to Help Cure Cancer!

Summer’s coming and it’s time for school to be out, vacations, and being outdoors, enjoying the warm summer sun. Unfortunately, for me, who lives in San Francisco, it’s time to put on jackets and long pants. Nevertheless, I am braving the cold and am going to do the unimaginable…swim in the ocean through kelp and then bike and run like madwoman. For some of you, you're like, "Yup, that sounds like an average day for Christina," for others, it's completely out of right field. (I know it's left field, but I played right so I'm partial to it.) Well, I’m going to participate in the Triathlon at Pacific Grove in September. I've elected to do the Olympic Distance, which translates to a .93 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run. I’m sure you think I’m insane and well, I have to agree with you.

I’m sure you’re also thinking, aren’t you busy enough already? Never too busy to help find a cure for cancer! Now’s the time to do it. I’m settled back at home, have an amazing job at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ballroom dance and most importantly, have always wanted to be part of the “Team”. Team in Training combines the two of my favorite things, charity and athletics. While training, I will help raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The money raised for LLS will go towards cancer research and support services at Stanford, UC Berkley, UCSF and other facilities around the world.

Hopefully, one day there will be a cure for all types of cancer but until then I will be changing lives one mile at a time. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $3,300 to help cancer patients and their families. I hope to raise this amount by August 8, 2008.

Donations are 100% tax deductible and more importantly, I'd love you forever! (Not that I don't now!) And guess what you get besides the knowledge that you're helping cure blood cancers? Well, I'm planning on keeping this page updated with fun training stories and pictures so you can stay amused by me. Thanks so much for your love and support!

Christina

“I’m an ordinary person trying to do something extraordinary for someone who just wants to be ordinary.”

9/14/08 - Done and done!

Woo hoo! I had an amazing time down at Pac Grove. The support down there was amazing! My family was there and the mentors and coaches kept me motived. I did get caught in kelp and kicked, but hey, it's for charity! =) I finished in a time of 3:27. Not too shabby....

9/12/08 - T minus 1 Day!

AHHHHHH! I'm heading down to Pac Grove today. Man, time flies doesn't it? =) Just wanted to thank you for your support! I'll be back with a full report! See you on the other side!

9/1/08 - T-minus TWO weeks!

Okay, crunch time! I can't believe it's about two weeks left to go till the tri! Crazy! We did a course preview at Pacific Grove yesterday and it was BEAUTIFUL down there! I did, however get caught in kelp. Not so fun.... I'm taking a rest day today and hopefully re-cooping before open water swim tomorrow! Whew...

Thanks again to everyone again for the support! It's been AMAZING!

8/15/08 - Less than a month to go!

Holy cow everyone! Thanks so much for your support! Wow! I appreciate it! I've completely surpassed my goal. Big hugs all around! Well, I have less than a month to go and within the past week, I've official fallen off my bike clipped in as well as done a practice tri. Let me tell you that both hurt equally. Almost there! Thanks again everyone for your support! I could'nt be doing this without you!

8/3/08 - Crazy currents...

Today was the HARDEST open water swim that I've done. It was crazy. The current was horrible and everyone was getting pushed in toward shore. I hit a buoy and swam into a person. Not so good.... After the swim we did a 4 mile run. Man. I was tired though. Anywho, it's been great. About a month till the race and I'm feeling pretty good. The fundraising is going amazing. Thanks to everyone who can to the salsa/sangria on Friday. It TONS of fun. TNT has a great group of people.

7/27/08 - Tri Suits and chafing...

I'm totally stoked! I had an amazing Computrain workout with our coach Jocelyn on Thursday night. It kicked my butt. We did intervals on our bikes then ran for 15 minutes and came back and did a time trial. Fun times! Today we did an open water swim and run. I've totally decided that I need to learn to get used to lightheadness of getting out of the water. It's such a weird feeling. I did invest in a tri suit though and now know the importance of Bodyglide...

7/14/08 - Open water swim madness!

Sorry this is so late! Argh! I've been a little crazy with training/life, but I had an amazing Sunday! I got my wetsuit and did my first open water swim! Woo hoo! It was awesome! I now know the importance of Bodyglide. We did a nice run after and met some inspiring honorees at the Honoree Picnic. What a great Sunday! Just wanted to thank everyone again. I'm more than half-way to my goal! Keep your eyes open for a salsa/bar fundraiser by me and my fellow Aggie alum, Allison!

6/28/08 - Big purchase...

I bought a bike! Woo hoo! I had an amazing ride last Sunday on my brand new road bike! Thanks to Stephen who helped me pick it out! It's amazing! I felt like I was flying. Training has been going awesome. We did a track workout on Wednesday and I've decided that sprints and I are not friends! (Jamila, I don't know how you did it chica!) Anywho, it's been great, meeting a lot of new people and trying to balance the whole work, life, ballroom, friends, etc. Let me just say that I haven't been this tired in awhile. It's all worth it though!

6/18/08 - ENTRY NUMERO UNO!

Okay, so this is my first actual entry! Woo hoo! Thanks everyone for your support! It's been overwhelming! You're all too generous! I love ya'll. Okay, enough mushy stuff.

Well, I was just in Las Vegas at dance camp last week, which was freakin' awesome, but now I'm back and ready to hit the ground running, swimming and biking! Swimming terrifies me, but I've been getting some good early morning swims at the gym. I'm excited about this weekend too. It's going to be my first bike/swim combo. Now only if I could find a bike....