Getting Closer

So another snow day for us in New York. A big push on the computer and it looks like my races are set. I am still searching for some flights but here is the run down:

• Texas
• Florida
• Indiana
• Georgia
• Alaska
• North Dakota
• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Lousiana
• Oregon
• Montana (maybe)
• Rhode Island

12 states in all, thousands of miles in travel, Mastercard run riot. One potential life saved... PRICELESS!

The Best Laid Plans

Meet my "mallet finger". I woke up with it like this on Thursday morning. No trauma, no injury, no good story, just a painful, crooked finger with no explanation. A trip to the orthopedic on Saturday am confirmed a ruptured tendon. What the heck???? Tomorrow I will be fit for a splint that has to be worn 24/7 for 8 (count 'em, 8) weeks. UGH. With only 6 weeks until my first race of the season, my concern is swimming. The trick to this kind of injury is not to let the digit bend at all. If it bends and the tendon moves again, the clock starts again and it is back to another 8 weeks. If this doesn't work, surgery is the answer or a crooked finger that eventually effects the lower joints and moves into the hand.
I asked the doctor how this could happen. He said perhaps moving the sheet in bed at night or putting on your coat. REALLY? I am pretty hard core. How could THAT be possible? He assured me that my hard core-ness was not in question and that this is a common injury. I repeat, REALLY? I don't know anyone who has ever had this.
So patient I must be. Swimming will be tricky. The first race will be interesting. But hey, look on the bright side. It is my right hand; I am a lefty. It is my little finger; any other digit would be worse. It is winter and should only affect one of my races, she said with the other 9 fingers crossed. Craziness!

Pumping Iron

I have never been able to get into a real weight training rhythm. With the best of intentions, I am sporadic at best. Well that is up until now. I joined Blink. It is across the street (literally) from where I work and costs $20/month. It is a smaller version of Equinox and in fact, is owned by the same. There is no kick back for me blogging about them. I am just really excited that I can fit this into an already jammed schedule. Lunchtime is a perfect time to hop over, lift some weights for 30 minutes and be back to work before I am missed. Seems like such a simple thing but if I can do that three times a week, I am ahead of last year's training. As the years roll on, it takes a little more effort to maintain the current level of fitness. Blink is a step towards that.

Reservations for One Please

Today was a snow day in New York. Truth to tell, it wasn't such a big deal but I took advantage of it and worked on my race calendar and logistics for the day. People ask me what is the hardest part of this campaign. Well, believe it or not, it is not the racing. It isn't even the training.... it's the logistics. Flights, car rentals, race entries, hotels, bike transportation, my work schedule (oh yeah, there's work to juggle), nutrition, maps, directions.... you get the idea. The racing is actually easy. This is my "busy" time of year.

Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining. Call it the calm before the storm but soon there will be emails sent to everyone I know, asking for more support, another donation and anything else I can think to ask... all in an effort to raise money for ovarian cancer and find a method of early detection.

So while it may be icy and snowy outside and my training may be a little lighter than summertime, trust me when I say the wheels are moving, the credit card is red hot and the details are coming together nicely.

Website Under Construction

A big shout out to my friend Mel, who is helping to tweek my website. A banner year deserves a banner website and she has the willingness and know-how to help. Please be patient while it is under construction and of course, feel free to comment or give feedback along the way. The ultimate goal is to have a virtual press kit within the blog so we can attract some media attention. The more people that learn about ovarian cancer and early detection, the better the success of the campaign and the more lives that are saved. That's the point. Period!

A Visit To New Jersey

2011 has started with a bang. I've been invited to speak to the Mullica Hill Women's Tri Club in March. They have chosen ovarian cancer as one of their causes this year and sought me out as a resource, not only as a triathlete but as a survivor. I am so excited to be able to spread the message of early detection to a group of women. This is what saves lives. In fact, I was contacted recently by a woman who found my blog. As a result of what she learned about signs and symptoms, she went to her doctor. Lo and behold, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer but in Stage I when it is treatable and curable. When I get emails like that, I know what I am doing is working. I know the 50x50x100 campaign is saving lives.
In the meantime, I will prepare for my visit to the ladies of Mullica Hills. All good things...
Wishing you all the happiest and healthiest of new years.