I did it!!!

Thank you to all of you who supported me. I am very appreciative! It was a great cause and a great time. I'll post the finish line picture and more information soon.

PS- My time was 3:22:24

You're Invited

In one week from today the triathlon will be over, and I will be exhausted. If you're interested in coming out to cheer me on next Saturday I would greatly appreciate it. I could use all of the moral support I can get! Let me know if you need directions/information.

Two Weeks

Two more weeks until the big day. I'm starting to feel very nervous! Two main questions are running through my mind: When do the roads re-open (I need to finish before the roads re-open) and will it really be humiliating to be the very last person to finish?

We had a mini-tri today. It was my first time swimming with my wetsuit. I discovered the wetsuit takes about 20 minutes to put on and 10 seconds to get off! I also discovered that the wetsuit creates the sensation that I am slowly suffocating to death. The wetsuit comes up around my neck and puts just enough pressure on my trachea to cause me to feel as though I may die at any moment. Apparently this sensation is completely normal and I just need to 'get used to it'. Windpipe crushing aside I did finish my mini-tri and felt pretty good. Slow, but good. Very very slow, but good.

Yes, I'm still training

I know I've been absent from the blog for quite sometime. There is a variety of reasons/excuses for my hiatus -- but don't worry not one of them is that I stopped training. My triathlon is still on track for September 29. I am getting very, very, very nervous. I hope I can do this!!!

Thanks to all of you-- I have raised $50 over my $2400 minimum. Although, if you haven't given you still can. It's impossible to raise too much money for cancer research! Thank you!

Your Money

First off, thank you to all of you who have contributed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society! I am almost to the minimum requirement of $2400! I thought you may like to know how your donation will be used or if you're still considering donating then see how your donation can make a big difference in the life of a patient.


How is money spent by the Society?

A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.

A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.

A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.

A donation of $500 provides one patient in the local area financial aid for treatment related costs.

Impossible!

"But when a thing has to be attempted, one must never think about possibility or impossibility. People quite often do what seemed impossible before they did it. It is wonderful what you can do when you have to." CS Lewis

This Saturday's brick session caused me to think about this CS Lewis quote. After biking for well over 20 miles, I had to immediately run for 15 minutes. (or at my pace just over a mile) About 7 minutes into my run, my calf just completely cramped. My legs had had enough of this nonsense! I reminded myself of the CS Lewis quote, briefly stopped to stretch out my calf and continued running. I finished and lived-- which at 7 minutes in seemed an impossibility. I'm now hoping that while the triathlon seems an impossibility-- I will be impressed with what I did when I had to.

Needless to say, today my legs are very very sore!

Bricks

Today at our team workout we did our first brick. A brick is the bike/run combination. So for instance, today we biked about 80 minutes and then immediately ran for about 15. There are many theories as to why this is called a brick. One is that 'brick' is a combination of the words bike and run, another is that it is a block workout like a brick. The most popular theory is that when running after biking one's legs feel like a brick. I'm inclined to think this is the most accurate experience. My legs did feel like bricks! They didn't however seize up, which I'm told can happen. They went a bit numb, which was actually in my favor--at least they didn't hurt! Either way I did it! I biked and ran and didn't keel over!

The TNT folks are really great. Not only do they provide the great snacks Cathy mentioned after every team workout. They also cheer for us through out the workout. I have to say it is really encouraging to have someone cheering me on. As I was finishing my brick today it was just nice to hear 'Great Job!' 'Keep Going! You're doing Great!' Especially because my brain was thinking 'maybe we shouldn't keep going' and my legs certainly agreed with my brain. Not only is TNT a great way to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and honor those with blood cancers, it is also an excellent training program. I would recommend it to any of you considering an endurance event.

Mark Pascu

As you may have gathered from earlier postings, we have 'honored teammates'. Honored teammates are people who have had blood cancers, and who interact regularly with our team. It has been encouraging and heart wrenching to hear their stories.

I have two honored teammates, and one very special honored teammate that I am racing in memory of. I would like to introduce you to each of these teammates. This is Mark. Mark was originally diagnosed in November 2001 with Stage III Hodgkin's lymphoma. He immediately underwent chemo. A year later relapsed, and underwent further chemotherapy. During this time he was being prepared for a bone marrow transplant.

Several days before his transplant a routine EKG showed an irregular heart beat. Two days later he had surgery to correct his heart condition, and then went immediately to the transplant ward to receive his bone marrow transplant. Two months later he relapsed again. Mark is now cancer free-- although the there have been complications from the transplant including brain lesions. Additionally, the steroids he was given attacked his hip bones and he has had both hips replaced.

This is a race?

Triathlons are funny things, because apparently they are races. I always knew that and I frequently say things like 'I'll be racing in a triathlon.' However, it has never occured to me that it is actually a race. People will be racing to finish first. In fact, it may be many of the competitors goals to finish first, or at the very least, within a specific time.

As I've mentioned many times I too have a goal for the race -- finish. As I am now inspired by this race talk, Ive decided to set my sights higher. My new goal is to finish within the time limit, which I believe is something like 6 hours. I hope to finish just before the person driving the truck who lifts up the barricades and reopens the roads to traffic. I don't even mind if I'm running 2 feet in front of them.

I do find my training sessions hysterical when the coaches point out ways to shave a minute off of 'transition time.' Seriously!?!? A Minute!?!? I doubt picking up a minute will help me much, is there a way to shave off 2 hours? That would be helpful.

Last night, I purchased my bike for the triathlon. The bike salesman was giving suggestions too...for instance don't buy lace-up bike shoes. Seems reasonable, so I bought velcro. He even showed me triathlon specific shoes, which only have one velcro strap (mine have two-- will probably cost me another 10 seconds right there!!! Seriously, who are these people that the extra strap will slow them down too much?) and are meant to be worn without socks, so one doesn't have to waste all of that time putting socks on after the swim!

I doubt I'll even see any of these super fast, sockless, one-velcroed people during my 'race.' I imagine that as I'm just getting my socks, and second velcro strap strapped down they will be changing into their running shoes already have completed the 25 mile ride.

Suddenly

Suddenly a triathlon seems so easy. I just got this email from one of our team captains:

Team,

A number of weeks ago, Arlene (my wife and one of your Honored
Teammates) had CAT, MRI and PET scans done. The results were not
exactly what we hoped for. The scans and recent results of some blood
work indicated that she is no longer in remission.

A laparoscopic procedure will be performed this Friday at the
Washington Hospital Center, and the suspicious node will be biopsied.
There is a remote chance that the tissue is not malignant, but
unfortunately in all likelihood it is.

Please keep Arlene in your prayers.

Everything Hurts!

Week two of 5:30 a.m. swim practice and I'm still alive. I'm just over one week into training and I am in pain! Everything hurts, my arms, my stomach--it hurts to laugh, and my legs! Oh my legs! The agony! I can tell that I am getting better though. Sunday I managed to swim 1000 meters, I didn't pass out, throw up or drown! I've come along way even in this week...I was just barely at the minimum requirements when I started. Although, I remain skeptical that these coaches will get me across the finish line.

Go Team!

Saturday was the official Team in Training kick off. Cathy and I both attended (don't we look pumped!). For those of you who know Cathy, she is doing the marathon in October. TNT provided us with a continental breakfast (read: bran muffins and fresh fruit) which almost made it worth the early morning. It was actually a pretty fun time, there were several speakers. They had the honored teammates attend and the most moving speaker was an 11 year old who is in remission from leukemia. I learned that leukemia is the number one disease cause of death for people under 20. Very tragic! The coaches also spoke and were very encouraging. They reassured us with statements like ' you can do it' and 'even if you're not in great shape, we'll get you there.' This being said, I still feared that come my first coached practice on Tuesday a coach would take one look at me laugh hysterically and say 'Umm..maybe you should just donate money and go home. We're not miracle workers you know.'

Tuesday morning was the first 5:30 a.m. swim. It wasn't nearly as horrific as I imagined. Getting up at 4:30 was just as painful as I imagined, but I made it to the pool almost on time. We self segregated ourselves by skill and ability level. The pool had 8 lanes; novices in lane 1 and experts in lane 8. I put on my cap and goggles and marched directly to lane 1. I was able to complete the entire workout and I didn't drown. That was my only goal finish without dying. Hmmm.. I suspect that will also be my goal for the actual triathlon.

Saturday is our first coached run session. Now I'm petrified about that session. I'm not a very fast runner or in fabulous shape. I run about 3 miles, but it takes me a long long time. I'm a little scared.

Tonight I have a bike ride. We're meant to also be doing yoga or pilates on off days or days where only one workout is scheduled. So if anyone has a good yoga or pilates dvd they want to lend me, please let me know. Thanks! :) Tomorrow a run and another swim-- BRING IT ON!

Minimum Requirements

Well, you'll all be relieved to know (I was relieved anyhow -- I doubt any of you were on the edge of your seat) that I meet the minimum swimming requirement easily. Swimming is, however, much harder than it used to be for me. I wonder if that is because its been a few years, because I'm out of shape, or because I'm lugging around a *ahem* few extra pounds. Regardless, I make all of the minimum requirements-whooohooooo! But as one potential donor said to me 'you better pick up the pace, I'm not going to pay for the minimum or even mediocre!'

Kickoff is Saturday at 8:00 a.m. I'll get my full training schedule then. I did get that horrible rumor confirmed. Swimming practice is at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. YUCK! Running/biking training is at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays. I never thought I would see the day when 8:00 a.m. seemed like a reasonable hour of the morning, but alas here that day has arrived.

7 Days to Kick-0ff

This is the course for the triathlon that I'll be doing. It's the 'Nation's Triathlon' and I chose it because I had to raise the least amount of money :). For the other triathlon the minimum amount to raise was $4,000. No, thank you! I'm frightened enough of raising $2,400. I suppose there is the added benefit of not swimming in the Potomac, but still. When I look at the course laid out on a map I have to admit that it does seem like a lot of work and it's really far! I'm certainly daunted.

The official training kick-off starts next Saturday at 8:00 a.m. At the kick-off we'll meet our coaches and get our training schedules. Although I've already heard a nasty vicious rumor that swim practice is at 5:30 a.m. every Tuesday!!! 5:30 a.m.!!! GASP--I hope practice isn't in the Potomac...I don't know if I can take that.

TNT will also be providing workshops on equipment. For instance, when I asked the cycling coach last week if I could use my 8 year old mountain bike he laughed hysterically and then said 'well, you could, but I wouldn't recommend it.' Apparently, the tires will cause too much friction, and he doubted that it would be in good enough shape. I guess riding the bike around the block is different than a 25 mile race on a bike. The workshops are meant to help us determine which equipment we need (apparently I now need a new bike) and we get discounts at local stores.

Bring on May 12 and the start of official triathlon training!

Pool...Check!

One of the three most important parts of a triathlon is the swimming! The TNT coaches coach us in swimming on Tuesday mornings, but for the rest of the week I'll need a pool to get up to snuff. Actually, I'll need to be up to snuff well before we start our coached sessions (May 15) because I said I can swim 4 laps of a 25 yard pool. They require that you be able to meet that minimum to train for the tri. I'm fairly confident I can...how hard can it be? Anyway, I researched pools in my area...and shockingly the YMCA was the most expensive! I won't be going there!!! Who knew--I thought it would be the cheapest option?!?!? Anyway, I found a reasonably priced pool nearby. I'm up to all of the pre-training requirements in running and biking just need to get my swim on.

I have to wonder whether the TNT coaches will ever be able to prepare me for swimming in the Potomac river!?!? Ewwwwwwwwwwwww...GROSS!

TRIATHALON BABY!!!

Yesterday, I signed up for the Team in Training triathlon. Now I feel nauseous! What was I thinking!!! With much fear and trepidation I'm going forward both toward the triathlon on September 29 and toward the goal of $2400 which I pledged to raise. 75% of the money I raise will go to leukemia and lymphoma research. Please visit my official team in training webpage.

I'll use this site to keep you all updated on my progress (which is hopefully great). Thank you for your support.