A Weekend Away

Sometimes the best training is cross training and has nothing to do with the activity that you will compete in. Meaning, that training doesn't always have to be about swimming, biking and running. I was away this weekend for the Martin Luther King Jr holiday and traveled to the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. If you know anything about where I currently live, you will know it is FLAT and can be quite boring. In fact, I often have to travel to get in any hill training. So it was a welcome treat to be in surroundings that involved ups and downs. I didn't work out per se but did three very solid walks that involved up and down hills. I know it was a solid workout because upon return, I can feel my shins and my gluts (aka: my butt) muscles. And all I thought I was doing was walking. I actually was feeling guilty for not officially working out this weekend. But when you feel new muscles that you otherwise ignore, you know that something good is happening. Lesson learned. Exercise comes in many forms and doesn't always have to be about the activity you plan to compete in. On my 5 am run tomorrow, I am sure my body will appreciate the time off and will be better for the cross training.

Good News Indeed!

In the January 6, 2010 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers determined that three cancer biomarkers show up in blood tests long before symptoms occur. What that means in layman's terms is that a method of early detection is on the horizon. There is still much work to be done (and much fundraising necessary) but the discovery of these three important biomarkers is a huge step towards the ultimate goal. I am over-the-moon excited. THIS IS WHY I RACE. This year will be an important year. I am racing in 11 new states, aiming to bring in another $20,000 to put towards the research necessary to make this goal come to fruition. Please give if you can and pass this link along to everyone you know. Lots of $10 donations this year will make the difference. Feel free to follow the research on the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund website at www.ocrf. org and keep your fingers crossed that SOON, no one will have to die from this disease.

Set In Stone

Take a look at this 2010 schedule!!!! Totally kick ass if I do say so myself. It took weeks to solidify, logistics, scheduling, mapping it out and making it fit. But it's done and I like it. Now I need to get my butt in gear and train. The holidays are over, sweets are gone, work schedule is back intact and I can get to the task at hand.... train, sleep, book airline tickets, lodging, bike shipping arrangements, oh... and find some people to join me. Anyone interested in some road trips?

In case you are wondering where the money comes from (some folks have asked) to race around the country... the answer is simple. ME! This is my contribution. This is my way of giving back to a sport that saved my life. This is what I do to combat this awful disease that is claiming other women everyday. I pay to compete, I raise money to find a method of early detection, I want ovarian cancer to be diagnosed in early stages so no one needs to die. Please join me. Contribute if you can... even $5. Meet me in some town and cheer me on. Offer to house me for one of the races. Tell all your friends. Share this link with everyone you know. There are many ways to help. But it takes many hands to make this happen. I need all of you. The schedule is set... that's the easy part. Now the work begins.

New and Improved

Check out the map... I am going to color in the states that I have completed. Truth to tell, it's getting harder to keep track. Looks like I am adding another TEN states plus Wash DC this season for a total of 11 races. I will be posting dates soon.
Can someone say sponsorship? Much needed as all of the registration expenses and travel come out of my pocket. But I know what I signed up for; time is of the essence. I lost 3 people this past season to this disease. We have to find a method of early detection! and fast!!
I am in the process of getting all my registrations in order. Several will happen on Jan 1 as that is when many races go "on sale". Should be a busy on line day for me.
Check back soon to see if I may be coming to your area.
And start spreading the word. OCRF needs your help so no one has to die from ovarian cancer.

Pardon the Appearance

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!!! I took several months off to regain momentum and allow my body to heal and now I am loaded for bear and up and, literally, running again. I am in the process of designing my race schedule for 2010 and hope to add TEN new states. That will keep me on track for the 50 x 50 campaign, racing in all 50 states by the time I am 50 years old. And by the way, I had a birthday last week so I can hear that triathlon clock ticking. Logistically it is quite challenging to plan so many out of state races; stay tuned for updates along the way. While this process is being finalized, please pardon the appearance of this blog site. It will be updated and edited as I add races but it may look a bit incomplete at times. I do know that the first stop will be Las Vegas in March. After last week's NY blizzard, it sounds might good, doesn't it? Thank you for your continued support and please check back frequently to keep track of where I will be and when.