My Fundraising Page

Racing to Save Lives

(most recent update at bottom of page)

Thanks for visiting my Team In Training home page. :O)

I'm so excited to have joined Team In Training to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!!! Can you believe I've signed up for a triathlon?!? I know it won't be easy, but I have faith that I can do it! Especially when I have four months to train with my new teammates and friends supporting me. I just need your help with the fundraising part.

My goal is to raise over $6000. (If I can raise enough, I'd also like to walk a marathon in May.) At least 75% of every dollar helps stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I encourage you to research these diseases and see how much they really effect our communities. I'm honored to participate in an organization that is efficient, moral, and doing such a great service to human kind.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. All donations are tax deductible, but even better... are for a great cause!

Thanks for your support! I'll keep you posted with how my training is going. :O) Here's a link with more info on the triathlon I'm signed up for: http://lavamantriathlon.com/ (and below is a link to my personal blog)

Amy Lynn's Blog

10/25/08

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I'm half way through my official first week of training with the Team. :O) Monday night we ran around a track near Green Lake. I wear a heart monitor around my wrist and was surprised how quickly my heart rate went up... after only 2.5 miles. Running is probably going to be my biggest challenge, but I've got 4 months to get ready. I CAN DO IT! :O) Wednesday night we had swim practice. There were so many people there! (6-7 in each lane). I learned some great tips on form and breathing. Looking forward to practicing those in a less crowded pool. Saturday we will be having our first bike practice and I'm really looking forward to that (even though it's supposed to be cold/wet). I have a lot to learn about riding in groups. For that practice we're meeting at Red Hook Brewery, oh darn ;)

I've already made some wonderful friends on the team and have a great feeling about this event. I'll try to keep this site updated at least once a week. Here's a few statistics for you to think about when deciding how much $ to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

$32 pays for an anti-nausea medication

$54 pays for one week of low grade chemotherapy

$75 pays for the screening of a bone marrow donor

$100 pays for a monthly blood analysis

$200 pays for a blood transfusion

$350 pays the daily salary of a medical researcher

$500 pays for a blood chromosome analysis

Thanks again for your support and encouragement!!!

Amy Lynn Burns :)

11/12/2008

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Two weeks done and all is well. :O) I'm feeling busy with all the training, but still enjoying it. Last Saturday was our Team bike ride. I got 19.6 miles in. It wasn't too hard but I have to admit I'm a little sore in some weird places. I'm getting the hang of the gears on my new bike. Plus I'm learning what nice people I have on my Team. I had to stop in the middle of the ride to blow my nose and at least 10 people riding past asked me if everything was ok. When I was struggling to make it up a hill one of my Team mates rode next to me and encouraged me along the way when he could have very easily passed me by without a word. Also it seems that there's always a group heading out for dinner or coffee after practice. I'm making friends with some wonderful people!

On Sunday I did a solo swim at the swim club... outdoors of course. :) It was a cold, but sunny and gorgeous day. I swam a mile in 45 minutes! There's room for improvement, but I'm happywith that time. That afternoon I talked my husband into playing some tennis with me. What a great day!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful this year! My health, my family, my good friends, and the opportunity to participate in Team In Training. :O)

Here's a fact about leukemia (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukemia): Nearly 44,000 people are diagnosed with leukemia every year in the United States, with an average of 22,000 deaths every year.

Amy Lynn Burns :)

11/24/08

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Training is going very well. It's getting quite cold here in Seattle!!! I find it odd to train in such cold weather for an event that will be held in 80+ degree weather. ;) We had to bring last night's running practice indoors. Our coach invited us to her training studio (a private gym in Bellevue) and put us through circuit training. It was a lot of fun, but I'm feeling a bit sore today. :P Each practice I learn more tips on proper form and technique and get encouraged by my wonderful Teammates. I'm getting stronger and even loosing some weight. Still struggling with the running though. Swimming is by far my favorite sport and I've already taken several minutes off of my mile time.

Here is another fact for you to consider. "Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer in the United States. It is the sixth most common cancer in adults and the third most common in children." This site has some great information about Lymphoma: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lymphoma/article_em.htm

Thanks to all of you who are supporting me in so many ways! I wish you good health and happiness. I hope you will spend some time reflecting on this last year and think about your goals for next year. Stop just wishing you could do something, and just do it. :O) Believe me, if feels great!!!!

Amy Lynn Burns :)

12/16/08

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It's been a while since I've updated this site. Between the holidays and the extreme weather in Seattle, things have been a little crazy in my life. I'm actually glad that the holidays are over and I can get back to some sort of routine. I've got less than 2.5 months left to get ready! The team practices have been great... but I need more discipline in my "on your own" work outs. Please hold me accountable! :O) Yesterday we did a "brick" work out. Some say it's called that because bike+run=ick. I think it's called that because your legs feel like bricks for the first mile or so of running after you've ridden the bike... different muscles are used, and the transition isn't very easy or pleasant. Luckily I have a great coach who knows what she is doing and will have us properly prepared.

As you can see I have quite a ways to go with the fund raising. Thanks a million to all my friends and co-workers who have supported me!!! Your generosity is sincerely appreciated and goes to an organization that does great things for human kind. Check out this link to see what LLS offers cancer patients in financial aid: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=4599 What a blessing to someone going through hard times, to know that there are people willing and ready to help them!

Well I hope you will continue to support the cause. I'm working very hard to get ready for the triathlon. Every week I get a little stronger. I'm also working on a few fund raising events. Next weekend I'll be co-hosting a Hawaiian Luau party which will be a blast! I'm also working on some "movie nights" and even a "Barn Dance" with live music. I'll keep all my friends posted and hope to see you there. Have a great week!

(:Amy Lynn:)

1/11/2009

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WOW, less than 5 weeks until race day! I am getting really excited. Training in the cold weather has been tough, but I hang in there because I know I am doing a good thing for my community. The more people I tell about my race, the more people I meet who's lives have been affected by cancer. A grandmother, father, best friend... the list goes on. We are all affected. By stepping up and supporting organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we can make a difference. I need your help to reach my fund-raising goal.

Coming up soon is a bowling fund-raiser at the Garage in Seattle on March 15th from 3pm to 6pm. A Saint Patties Day kick off party day on March 14th at 7pm. I also have some Hula dance (for exercise) dvd's on sale at $25 for a two-disc set. Still working on a country music dance night. If you are interested in any of these, or if you just want to chat, email me at: amylynnwho@gmail.com I hope all of you are are enjoying the early days of Spring and that you are happy and healthy. Thanks for your support!!!! I couldn't do this without you!

(:Amy Lynn:)

2/22/09

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Ok, I've been procrastinating a little too long. I've been back from the triathlon for a couple weeks now and life is barely getting back to normal. The first week I basically spend recovering. The trip was physically and emotionally exhausting. I had a wonderful time and can now officially can say I'm a triathlete, and I love it!!! Already looking forward to my next one! (an all women's sprint distance tri here in Seattle) I have the whole story of my triathlon experience on my blog (link below my signature). I won't say it wasn't hard, but I am so proud of myself and what I've accomplished these last few months. I feel stronger and wiser and ready for the next challenge. :O)

Another reason I've been so busy is because I've been working very hard to organize my last fund-raising event: a motorcycle poker run. For those who haven't heard of this: it's an organized bike ride where you have a bunch of motorcycle riders meet at one location, they get a map and their first card, at each stop along the route they get a card (5 total), and at the last stop whoever has the highest poker hand wins prizes. I've got a beautiful route mapped out, some fun stops, and great giveaways. You can see all the details on the second link below my signature.

I'd like to say another THANK YOU to all of you who have supported me in one way or another, whether it be financially, with encouraging words & advise, or little things like driving me to practice.... I appreciate every single thing and couldn't have done this event without the help of so many wonderful people. YOU kept me going out there during the race! You rock! :O)

-Amy Lynn

http://www.amylynndesign.com/Site/Blog/Entries/2009/3/29_Lavaman_Triathlon_2009!!!_%3AO).html

www.springfeverpokerrun.com