Just For Fun

As if 11 races aren't enough for one season, I had to do my local club race in Oyster Bay this weekend.  My "New York race" was completed long ago but this event is so much fun, I couldn't help myself.  To make the event more exciting, my buddy KK from Texas flew up and raced with me.  She was supposed to join me last year but the hurricane had other plans for us.  The weather cooperated this weekend and we had a blast.  We took NY by storm with theatre, biking, visiting, walking, ice cream, sightseeing, a team party... and of course, the triathlon.  I am exhausted today and would do it all again in a heartbeat.   Thanks KK for making the effort.  And the best part is I will see her again in two weeks when she joins me in Arkansas.  Woo hoo....can't wait.

Little Is The New Big

This little town of Portage, Wisconsin has a big heart.  What a terrific day and what a great event.  I met some incredible people and the outpouring of support actually produced tears.  For starters, a big thanks to the race directors, Mike and Heather Frank, for a quality race, an introduction to a killer bike store and the local press, announcing my campaign over the PA more times than I can count, putting a donation jar at registration and then MATCHING those donations with a fat check to come home with.  Wildside Adventure hooked me up with a sweet sled.  Thanks to Peter and Joel for taking such good care of me. Thanks to Jen McCoy who did a good story on the campaign in the Portage Daily Register.  Click here to see it.  And a special thanks to all the folks of the community who made me feel so welcome.  Of special note are the survivors I met this weekend.  At today's race I met FOUR ovarian cancer survivors.  In a race of about 400, that's a pretty staggering number.  It felt so good to share this with my fellow "survivor sisters".  So state #41 is complete; I am officially in single digits.  Next stop, Arkansas.

Wisconsin and Then....

Off to Wisconsin this weekend to race state #41 in Portage.  The Silver Lake Triathlon should be spectacular in pristine waters and on rolling country roads.  I have already been made to feel like family with the outreach of support from the race director and the press.  In fact, I am hopeful for an article in today's Portage Daily Register.  I will add the link once it is up.
But as a coincidence, the following town and state where I am racing was in this week's news.  Toad Suck, Arkansas where I will race the Toad Suck Triathlon was voted "Most Unfortunate Town Name".  Read the article here.  I remember when I registered wondering why on earth something would be called Toad Suck.  Apparently the history is rich and dates way back.  I actually like the name and think Toad Suck should be very proud of their history AND their name.  It makes for a good blog post.  So bring it on... but first things first.  Wisconsin this weekend. 



My Real Life

Often I am asked if I work.  Or if I am retired.  Or if I am independently wealthy.  HAH!  The answers in short.... yes, no and gosh, no.  In fact in addition to the training, racing and traversing the country, I have a very full life that has nothing to do with ovarian cancer and triathlon.  The entire campaign is 100% funded on my own dime and luckily, I am self employed so in command of my own schedule.  But other than that, I am like most folks with a "real life" which includes work, family, friends and many obligations.  But this isn't meant to be a complaint post.  I love my over-flowing life very much.
I also love my husband!  This week he had the honor of being inducted into the Massapequa Hall of Fame.  This is a photo of him delivering his acceptance speech.  Don was chosen for his work with the environment and for his participation in a group called Operation SPLASH.  It is indeed an honor to be recognized by the town he grew up in and the evening was quite special.  I am so proud.  

What Was I Thinking?

My schedule got a little mixed up this week.  I'm battling a hip/leg injury that has my running on hold but after a week of rest, I wanted to test the waters.  So I had a short 4 mile run planned for today.  I was supposed to go out at 6 am before the heat kicked in but justified sleep over the wake up call.  Family plans had me busy until 2 pm and a major thunderstorm was scheduled for 4 pm so my running window was very small.  With 90+ degrees and almost as much humidity, I attempted my run.  Have you ever had the experience that you feel as if you just might boil to death?  I mean your insides, your blood and all other bodily fluids coming to a full boil?  Well, that's how it felt.  I wound up running for about 3 1/2 miles and walked the last 1/2.  It took a full hour to bring my core temperature down.  And unfortunately, I am only a smidge better with the rest.  This too shall pass.  But really, what was I thinking?