Golf Anyone?

While racing in Indiana, a woman named Jenny approached me. She had several personal connections with ovarian cancer is in the health field. So although I wasn't able to "educate" her about signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, she was very interested in my campaign. We spent some time chatting, she took my blog information and wished me success on my endeavor.
Later that week, I received an email from Jenny. Her golf group, Harbour Trees Ladies 9 Hole Golf League, had agreed to do a fundraiser on my behalf. They were hosting a tournament the following week and proceeds would go to my campaign. Especially timely and tremendously sad is that one of their members is battling ovarian cancer at this time. Thoughts and prayers go out to her.
Well thanks so much to these ladies. The checks arrived yesterday! This is the kind of effort that will make my campaign a success. Grass roots and growing, I am reaching more and more people. Donations are coming in and women are learning the vital information that could save a life. Many thanks to the ladies of Noblesville, Indiana for their support of my 50x50x100 campaign.

Queen of the Hill

Yesterday was the Mullica Hill, Queen of the Hill, triathlon in NJ. I didn't need to race NJ again but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do this race. It was their 1st annual race and it was quite special. Complete with a fly over to start, a pristine course, farm fresh blueberries and champagne at the finish and a tiara for the ultimate "queen", this race will clearly become a local favorite. What made the event even more special is that my sister, Kristin, joined me for the first time and it was her first triathlon ever. I am so proud of her, as only about 1% of the population will ever complete an endurance event like a triathlon. We had so much fun and she exceeded her expectations by 15 minutes. Not too shabby for a newbie. Her friend, Jen, came along for the ride and completed her first tri as well. In fact, about 65% of the participants were first timers. It was an all woman's race too. So as you can read, the sport is growing by leaps and bounds.
I feel so blessed to be healthy and able to participate in this sport. Thanks to all the gals in Mullica Hill for the support of OCRF and ovarian cancer detection. You are making a difference. And congratulations to all the first timers for being a triathlete.

Wind Will Always Remind Me of North Dakota

Whew! Olympic race and really tough. Wind, wind and more wind. They are pretty used to it here but I am NOT... at least not like this. Pristine, clear water at the McDowell Dam. Not too cold once you got going but brisk to start. Out and back on the bike for 40K. Saw an average of 25 mph on the way out. False sense of security because barely could keep it at 13 mph on the way back. There is no place for the wind to stop so it just gains momentum and literally almost knocked me over. I couldn't even drink as much as usual for fear of taking my hands off the handlebars. And then the run.... well, the run is never my favorite part. Two loops, solid sunshine, grin and bare it.

Looks like I took 3rd. The interesting this to note is how small the event was. There were two races happening, a sprint and an olympic and the total number of participants was 50. Yep, that's not a typo. So the olympic race only had about 20 participants total. There was supposed to be 100 but with the flooding, a race was not foremost in some folks minds. The devestation here really is something.

A great shout out to Dennis and Brian and Epic Sports but putting on a good race. Regardless of size, a race is logistically a challenge to put on. These guys did a great job and with a venue change at the eleventh hour, really pulled it off nicely. Super people too. North Dakotans (is that what they're called?) are very friendly.

Home tomorrow, lots of work at all my jobs to catch up on and New Jersey next weekend. Yes, if you know my map, I don't "need" New Jersey again but that's for another post. Stay tuned.

Water Water Everywhere

Just found out my race in Alaska got some more press. The Redout Reporter, named after one of the big volcanoes in the area, did a spot on Tri the Kenai and captured some information on my campaign. Thanks to Jenny for a great story.
Now I am in North Dakota where things haved turned more serious. The Missouri River has gone way over its limits and has flooded many miles in this area. One of the dams has been opened to minimize damage but it is quite a serious tragedy here. With a good portion of the snow still not melted in the mountains, there is more runoff to be had. This means the situation won't improve for several months. I went to a historic museum today and was able to climb a tower. The overview of the area was staggering, as you could see for miles. Houses under water, fields flooded, roads gone...
I am so blessed to be loved, safe, warm, dry and healthy. I must remember these things everyday.

A Really Big Check

How awesome is this?! I feel like I won Publisher's Clearinghouse. Tri The Kenai presented me with a $1000 check after the race. Tony, the race director, had the check enlarged for the presentation. How fun. The race is only in its second year and it is a small local venue so the check is really quite substantial. Tony also put a link on the registration page for people to make additional donations. I want to thank everyone who donated. There were lots of $5 donations and that's the point...it all adds up. I am still in awe of the weekend. Alaska has topped my list for favorite races. And results are in. Looks like I took 3rd in age and 13th overall. I'm pretty happy considering all the "firsts", like the tri bike and the cross country run. Thanks again Tri the Kenai for a great event. Next stop, North Dakota this weekend.

Mission Accomplished

What a wonderful day on the Kenai Peninsula. The weather cooperated in a big way. With an overcast sky and a 39 degree start to the day, I was concerned about warmth. But the sun came out strong, the skies were blue, the course was great and state #25 is complete.

It was a big learning day for me too. Lots of firsts! As you know, I was on a tri bike for the first time, thanks to Beemuns. Slick sled and fun to ride. There was no bike rack and each racer had to bring a stand. I heard it's an "Alaska thing" but it worked out well. I like the designated amount of space I had. Guess what? I saw a moose on the bike leg. Yep... a moose!

And lastly, the run was a cross-country trail run. Whew! Pretty tough but really pretty. Thanks to all the Alaskans for the hospitality and warmth. Thanks to the race directors for putting on a great event and providing a platform for press. Click on the Clarion link and read today's article. And a special thanks to my hosts Bob and Lanie for feeding me and giving me a warm bed. Next stop North Dakota next weekend.

My Sweet Ride for Tomorrow

Well as you know by now, I am in Alaska. My 25th state triathlon is tomorrow and for the first time, I did not travel with my own bicycle. The race director was kind enough to enlist the

support of the local bike store, Beemuns, for my race day wheels. A BIG shout out to Beemuns, because they exceeded my wildest dreams. I am riding a Trek Speed Concept tomorrow and the best part is that it is TEAL, to match the color for ovarian cancer and to match my tri suit. They could not have been more generous and more supoortive of my campaign. Thanks guys!!! So although I left my teal Trek Madone road bike at home (actually, she is on the way to North Dakota), I am riding a silver and teal Trek tri bike.

There are so many firsts for this event. For the first time, I won't be on my own bike and I will be on a tri bike. The fit is different and I am sure I won't do it justice, as I just won't have the time to learn how to best handle it. For the first time, there are no racks in transition and I will be using a homemade stand. And for the first time, the run portion is a trail run. It all should make for an interesting event.

Again, thanks to Beemuns and the guys for making my life easier and a little sweeter.

As Far North As I Can Go

I leave this week for state #25, Alaska. It is the furthest I will travel north and I am extremely honored and excited to be racing the Tri the Kenai triathlon, on the Kenai peninsula. Alaska represents the halfway point on this journey and 50x50x100 campaign. Everyone is asking if it is going by quickly and the answer is "yes" and "no". It feels like ages ago when I proclaimed this campaign but it also feels like yesterday when I was racking up states #8 and #9. But slowly and one state at a time, I am traveling the country and talking to women about signs and symptoms and early detection of ovarian cancer. I am truly blessed to be alive to do this. While 21,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, 15,000 will die. For all intents and purposes, I should have been one of those. But for some reason, I was spared. I am filled with gratitude as I embark on this long, cross country journey and reminded on a daily basis, that I have an opportunity (and perhaps even an obligation) to make a difference. This is living life!