Racing to Save Lives

The DETERMINATORS - Rosemary and Martha

Welcome to the web page of Martha Cole.

To complete an Ironman at age 70 has been my goal for the past four years...and now that time is here. My attempt to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a full marathon (26.2 miles) will take place at the Beach2Battleship event in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, NC, on November 13, 2010.

Midway through the seven-month training program, the goal frankly seems unattainable...but if I continue to put in the effort, I have faith that I will be able to do it - hopefully within the allotted 17 hours. At first it felt very self-centered to be spending so much time on my own training...BUT NOT NOW. And here's the reason why: Rosemary Bellinger Fagan, my strong, brave and dear friend of over 54 years, is fighting Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) as I write this. While I am out running or swimming or biking, she is in PT or OT fighting her way back from a life-threatening bout with a host of blood-related problems. We have named ourselves the DETERMINATORS and we are just that...DETERMINED...to fight this and other blood disorders by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

At this very moment, LLS is funding a clinical trial of a promising new drug, Estybon, specifically to combat MDS. So we ask you to support us in our efforts. A gift in any amount would be most appreciated...obviously the more we can raise, the better; but even the smallest gift will tell us you are with us in spirit. The people who are battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, myeloma, MDS and all blood-borne diseases are the real heroes, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Many of you have been incredibly generous to me in the past and I am truly thankful. I completed a Half Ironman last year and didn’t solicit funds -- because I wanted to give all of you a break! But that ends now, because this is the culmination of all my fundraising races…I will be retiring from long distance racing after this. (I can hardly wait to become a couch potato!)

So please make a donation to support the DETERMINATORS and help advance LLS's mission. You can donate with your credit card by using the box on the right, or write a check made out to: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and send it to me at: 8203 Wilshire Lakes Blvd, Naples, FL 34109. I am covering all my expenses, so 100% of your donation will go to LLS.

Please feel free to revisit this page occasionally...I'll try to keep it updated so you can follow our progress. Thanks for your support!

Martha Cole (and Rosemary Fagan)

The DETERMINATORS!

UPDATE: August 14th

Just got in from a 60-mile bike ride followed by a 25-minute run (for the purpose of trying to accustom my legs to making the switch from biking to running). Started at 5:30 AM and finished at 10:00...acceptable for these old bones. If this were race day, I would still have 52 miles to ride and another 24 miles to run. I can't bear to think of it! I don't look ahead; each day I do the assigned workout and since it's an Ironman training program, I just have to have faith that if I complete it, I'll be able to complete the race. So far, so good.

UPDATE:Sept 12th

Yesterday I biked 75 miles, followed immediately by a 40-minute run (actually more of a "shamble"). It was really hot, and to say I was beat is an understatement. I staggered in the door, went straight through the house, out to the pool and jumped in fully dressed. A few days earlier, I had gotten up at 3:45 AM to run 13 miles while it was still relatively cool. Somehow I made it until 10 PM last night, and then I crashed...slept for 12.5 hours! I guess I needed it! Well, at least I completed the assignment. If I do that each day, hopefully I'll be able to complete The Assignment on November 13th. Thank you for hanging in there with Rosemary and me!

UPDATE: Oct 2nd

Well, I have to say I am hugely encouraged right now. Just got in from an 85-mile bike ride followed immediately by a 50-minute run. Last night I set the alarm for 3:30am and went to bed at 8:30pm. Hit the road this morning at 4am...it was delightfully cool. I stayed on a well-lit, practically deserted six-lane road near home until it got light...by the time the sun came up, I already had 45 miles in and was feeling great. The remaining 40 miles seemed to fly by, and I had no trouble completing the 50-minute run...although it was my same old pitifully slow pace. The good news is that I still have energy left...this augurs well and I am delighted! Six weeks to go till Race Day...the suspense is building. Will I make it? Too close to call right now...stay tuned!

UPDATE: Oct 24th

They say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. If that is the case, I must be pretty doggoned strong after this weekend's training! I ran 20 miles yesterday without incident, but my legs felt pretty dead this morning when I got up at 4am. Hit the road anyway for a 100-mile bike ride and was surprised how warm it was. By the time the sun came up, it was hot and humid with a horrendous wind. The whole 100 mile ride was a struggle, but in the end I prevailed. Took me 6:15, but I made it. Next I had to change shoes and go back out to run for an hour. I had nothing left in the tank and had to settle for running for two songs on my iPod and walking for one; then repeat; until the hour was over. I am utterly exhausted, but all I have to do is look at the list of names of good-hearted friends on my web page and see that enormous total of donations, and I feel rejuvenated! Race Day is three weeks from yesterday. I think I am about as ready as I can be. Still don't know if I can do it in 17 hours, but I do think I can finish...which I plan to do if it takes me all night!

UPDATE: Nov 4th

You may recall that when I first developed my web page, I promised that for anyone who donated $50 or more on my behalf, I would be happy to wear the name of a loved one who is a victim or a survivor of cancer. Many of you responded, and I will be wearing the following names on my race jersey,and racing in honor or in memory of these people: (names followed by an asterisk are survivors): First and foremost, my Determinator partner, Rosemary Bellinger Fagan*; Jeannette Ashby; Marcy Sutherland*; Richard Morones; Pat Murphy*; Rick Reeves*; Tanha Luvaas*; Pat Grubb*; Mary Wolfe; Jack Eaton; Curtis Cole*; Bob Biggar; Jeff Hiestand*: Suann; Ginger Schuetz; Eleanor Mann; Michael Davis; Scott Garnett; Pat Emmet; Sandy Savin*; Polly Baker*; Bill Culligan; Austin MacMullan*; Manly Brunt; Joanne Jacobsen; Marie Trost; Cuong Nguyen; Pat Sykes; Doug Sykes; Molly Newman*; Joey Swinehart*; Katie Thompson; Ranald Hobbs; Carolyn Schoonmaker*; Jeanne Marshall; Spencer Meyer*; Connie Malenick*; Jan Schoenherr*; Inga Schoenherr*; Lee Javitch*; Sue Erion; Robert Wynn; Carl LaFleur*; Anne Nagan*; Sally Davis; Speed McClay; Judy McDonald*, Sally Rosenblatt*; Robbie Smith, Jr; Sue Teresco; Rita MacDonald*; and Klaus Fuerst*. God bless them all!

Rest in Peace

Rosemary Bellinger Fagan

May 27, 1940 - November 19, 2010

Courageous friend and fierce Determinator

I miss you already

We've each finished our race now

LLS set my fundraising minimum at $2200. Thanks to you, our generous friends, we have crushed that number! We are going into the final weeks of our effort, and thought it would make a great statement if we were to to multiply the minimum by ten...so we are upping our goal to $22,000. Go Team...let's meet this final goal!