I wanted to ensure everyone reading that I will update the blog to fill everyone in on the exciting weekend I just had in Philadelphia. I had intended to update the blog day-to-day while there, but no internet connection combined with the bike issues (some of you know...others will read about later) caused a shortage of time to do so.
I'm trying to get caught up with work and life, but rest assured I'll get a nice long blog put together describing the weekend events. Please check back to read about it.
For now, just know that I finished "in style" as Mr. Zainali likes to say, and that Philadelphia Triathlon participants who raced for TNT raised over $475,000 for cancer research.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fundraising goal...check!
A HUGE thank you to my fantastic family and superb friends. It is a little over 7 days from the Philadelphia Triathlon, and I've met (and slightly exceeded) my goal!!! Unbelievable. I can remember when I initially contacted LLS/TNT before Jen was diagnosed, just to see what the fundraising amounts were. When the upwards of $3000 were mentioned...I was like "yeah right", I thought "no way", I said "that's unpossible!!!". It's clear that I underestimated the generosity of others in the face of a great cause.
The intent of this blog was to, in some small way, connect donors with exactly what this charity is all about. The people it touches (both patients and participants), the advances in treatment directly attributable to its researchers, and what the future of the organization means to those stricken by cancer. My hopes were that donations weren't thought of as for my campaign, but more for the cause. I understand personalization is a big reason why these programs are successful, but I didn't want everyone to lose sight of the overall reason I decided to do this.
On my blog, directly after I met my goal, I wanted to put together a post that could put things in perspective. Runner's World (although I have not paid them in 2 years) continues to send me issues periodically. I rarely read the articles, because...well I'd rather post to my blog than read, and you know how good I am at that. Regardless, I had a trip for work on Tuesday and the June issue came in the mail on Monday night. Without looking at the cover, I threw it in my bag. When I got on the plane, I noticed that it was an issue dedicated to "outrunning cancer". There were several articles on survivor stories, and the impact running has on cancer patients, and survivors. I found myself getting a little choked up on the plane to Chicago while reading through the issue - while trying to maintain my composure (it felt like the guy next to me was wondering...although I was probably just being paranoid). One article in particular rung home because it directly addresses programs like LLS's TNT. The article is very well put together, and instead of foolishly trying to regurgitate the content, I'm going to cut my blog short and ask that you read it...it will give you a very good idea of what your donations mean to so many people. It's a bit lengthy, but well worth the time.
I'll close by just humbly saying Thank You again...Enjoy!
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-588--13982-0,00.html
The intent of this blog was to, in some small way, connect donors with exactly what this charity is all about. The people it touches (both patients and participants), the advances in treatment directly attributable to its researchers, and what the future of the organization means to those stricken by cancer. My hopes were that donations weren't thought of as for my campaign, but more for the cause. I understand personalization is a big reason why these programs are successful, but I didn't want everyone to lose sight of the overall reason I decided to do this.
On my blog, directly after I met my goal, I wanted to put together a post that could put things in perspective. Runner's World (although I have not paid them in 2 years) continues to send me issues periodically. I rarely read the articles, because...well I'd rather post to my blog than read, and you know how good I am at that. Regardless, I had a trip for work on Tuesday and the June issue came in the mail on Monday night. Without looking at the cover, I threw it in my bag. When I got on the plane, I noticed that it was an issue dedicated to "outrunning cancer". There were several articles on survivor stories, and the impact running has on cancer patients, and survivors. I found myself getting a little choked up on the plane to Chicago while reading through the issue - while trying to maintain my composure (it felt like the guy next to me was wondering...although I was probably just being paranoid). One article in particular rung home because it directly addresses programs like LLS's TNT. The article is very well put together, and instead of foolishly trying to regurgitate the content, I'm going to cut my blog short and ask that you read it...it will give you a very good idea of what your donations mean to so many people. It's a bit lengthy, but well worth the time.
I'll close by just humbly saying Thank You again...Enjoy!
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-588--13982-0,00.html
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Almost There
18 days to go, and I'm at 93% of my goal...Thanks so much to the last few donors. You've really helped me get to the home stretch. I just need to cash in on a few promised donations, and I should be at my goal before the race! Again, I can't say thank you enough to everyone's generosity.
Almost a month has passed since my last post, and I'm sure everyone has given up on the blog. Have no fear just because I've been slacking on my blogging duties, I have not been slacking on training. Through the stress of my crazy work schedule lately, vacation, the KC Corporate Challenge, and the duties of keeping my (and Jen's) life the way we've grown accustomed - I'm still kicking my butt getting myself ready for this triathlon.
A quick update on Jen...she had her 3 month scans, still CLEAR!!! Still in remission!!! Only 9 more months to go and the odds of recurrance goes WAY down. She has still been having a little trouble with her lungs, a side effect of the radiation. Luckily she's not the first, and a pulmonologist had the answer...ROIDS. That's right people, my wife's juicing like Arnold in his hay-day. I'm talking before Maria, and "the maid". I'm just kidding...she's just taking a relatively mild (in comparison to Arnold) dose (albeit more powerful than what was originally prescribed) to aid in repairing the damaged tissue. The great news is we went to Shawnee Mission Park for a bike ride (anyone who has been there can attest to the challenging hills), and she did FANTASTIC. 2-laps, and a run without that old "I can't breathe" feeling she's been struggling with lately. We're hopeful that this means she's on her way back to her old fitness levels.
On a quick training note - I had the KC Triathlon a few weeks ago, and although we swam 250m less than previous years...I shaved 7 mninutes off my personal best. I also had a fun run on the beach when on vacation. 4 miles, on my toes, resulted in blisters and THROBBING calves for 2 days. I feel good, and am looking forward to 1 more brutal week before I taper down to get ready for the race!
As much as I want to write a nice long blog post to catch everyone up...I need to get to my soccer game. It's been a busy day, 10 hour work day, KCCC soccer practice, SMP swim/bike, and soccer game...I'll sleep well tonight.
Cheers everyone!
Almost a month has passed since my last post, and I'm sure everyone has given up on the blog. Have no fear just because I've been slacking on my blogging duties, I have not been slacking on training. Through the stress of my crazy work schedule lately, vacation, the KC Corporate Challenge, and the duties of keeping my (and Jen's) life the way we've grown accustomed - I'm still kicking my butt getting myself ready for this triathlon.
A quick update on Jen...she had her 3 month scans, still CLEAR!!! Still in remission!!! Only 9 more months to go and the odds of recurrance goes WAY down. She has still been having a little trouble with her lungs, a side effect of the radiation. Luckily she's not the first, and a pulmonologist had the answer...ROIDS. That's right people, my wife's juicing like Arnold in his hay-day. I'm talking before Maria, and "the maid". I'm just kidding...she's just taking a relatively mild (in comparison to Arnold) dose (albeit more powerful than what was originally prescribed) to aid in repairing the damaged tissue. The great news is we went to Shawnee Mission Park for a bike ride (anyone who has been there can attest to the challenging hills), and she did FANTASTIC. 2-laps, and a run without that old "I can't breathe" feeling she's been struggling with lately. We're hopeful that this means she's on her way back to her old fitness levels.
On a quick training note - I had the KC Triathlon a few weeks ago, and although we swam 250m less than previous years...I shaved 7 mninutes off my personal best. I also had a fun run on the beach when on vacation. 4 miles, on my toes, resulted in blisters and THROBBING calves for 2 days. I feel good, and am looking forward to 1 more brutal week before I taper down to get ready for the race!
As much as I want to write a nice long blog post to catch everyone up...I need to get to my soccer game. It's been a busy day, 10 hour work day, KCCC soccer practice, SMP swim/bike, and soccer game...I'll sleep well tonight.
Cheers everyone!
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