An Update From A Lifeline

This is Cammi. We were virtually introduced while we were battling ovarian cancer in 2006. She and I were both members of the international women's singing organization, Sweet Adelines International and were connected via a mutual friend. Cammi lives in Canada. For months we supported each other by email. I don't think we ever actually spoke. Time marched on, we both recovered splendidly and then had the opportunity to meet while competing at the international level with the group that had initiated our bond. With very, very short hair, soon after our treatments, we spotted each other across a crowded room. I remember that hug being very special.
Here is Cammi now, being honored by the group of medical professionals that saved her life. Go to www.ovcare.ca to read her story of medical triumph.
I'm so happy to be able to share this update with you and so happy my friend continues to thrive. With OC statistics being what they are, this is indeed good news.

Logistics Update

This is the time of year I am chained to my laptop.  If I told you that each race is approximately 10-15 hours in preparation, it might be an understatement.  Chosing the race and getting the calendar to line up right is a challenge on its own.  But then comes booking all the details...flight, hotel, race entry and race director emails, bike, car, press... It's fun and exciting and frustrating and time consuming, all rolled up into one.
Iowa is looking good.  The kindness of strangers amazes me and I think I have secured a borrowed bike from a nurse whose husband is a triathlete.  Hmmm?  Not sure what kind of ride I'll get but I am happy not to have to ship my bike.  Iowa's logistics are a little trickier because immediately after the race, I will drive to Kansas to walk with Dave Brown for a day on his cross-country adventure for ovarian cancer.  7 hour drive after a triathlon followed by a 14 mile walk the following day...can you say "Aleve?"
So it looks like Alabama and Kentucky are 100% booked, Iowa is well under way with planning...next up, Oregon.

Update to Schedule

Usually I just list triathlons in the Follow Me sidebar.  However, I decided to add some additional information in an effort to truly update you about my itinerary this year.  I am going to be guest speaking at a T.E.A.L. event in April.  T.E.A.L. stands for Teal Every Amazing Lady and if you've never heard of the organization, I encourage you to Google it.  A powerhouse of a group, this amazing non-profit is a force to be reckoned with in the ovarian cancer world and doing some great things for the cause. 

I am also joining Dave Brown for a day on his Walk Across America for Ovarian Cancer, in memory of his wife Joan who lost her battle last year.  Please check out his site as he walks from Atlantic City, New Jersey to San Francisco, California over 252 days.  His map and itinerary are on his site and if you can see him, host him, join him and/or cheer him on at any point during his adventure, I am sure he would appreciate it. 

So you see...it's not all about triathlons.  The effort to spread the message about early detection takes many shapes and forms.



Hopeful for a Bike

One of the most challenging aspects of the campaign is figuring out the bike.  Unlike a pair of goggles or running shoes, a bike can't fit into my suitcase.  For the first few years, I shipped my bicycle from city to city.  Breaking it down, putting it together, general abuse en route, not to mention the expense made that impossible to sustain.  Although my preference is my own bike, I had to make the sacrifice and put myself at the mercy of others. 
If you've followed me at all, you know some of my "sleds" have been less than perfect where others have exceeded my wildest dreams.  Enter Iowa.  The race director put me in touch with a local bike store and I had a nice conversation with the manager.  The only thing he could offer me was a mountain bike but he is hopeful for a loaner from a local triathlete's wife.  And so it goes... keeping fingers crossed and remaining optimistic!

Like Minds

Had an opportunity to meet with Dave Brown who is walking across the country in memory of his wife, Joan, who lost the battle with OC. We swapped stories; it warmed my heart. So happy to have met him before his kickoff date of Feb 28. Hoping to meet him somewhere across the big country and log a few miles.

Road Trip

 

Pretty excited for my weekend...going to visit my college roommate in Pennsylvania. She's organized a girl's slumber party for her birthday. So not only will I see her but I will get to meet some of her friends. 25 years ago we met in the skills center; I was her math tutor and we instantly connected. Our lives have taken us in different directions but the bond is there. We pick up like we never missed a beat. Isn't that the best part of a long term friendship? Can't wait!