A Year In Review

11 states this season with a total of 42 completed to date.  If you do the math, that means 8 left for next season and the campaign is over.  Truth to tell, I would like to slow this whole machine down.  States 15-35 are a bit of a blur; I was trying to tick off numbers and somehow missed them.  I know I was present at the time but the details elude me.  Now that I see the light at the end, I want to really "experience" each moment.  Goal for next season... slow down and maybe even stay an extra day in each state so I get to take in the local culture. 
But first, a recap.

• Tennessee - took 1st in age, nice way to start.  Amazing hospitality from some new friends I've met along the way (in Bermuda last season).
• New Mexico - backwards event.  Run, bike, swim.  Memorable moment.  A 10 year old comes up to me during the run and says, "So like...is this your first?"
• South Carolina - cousin John was my driver and all around assistant.  Very nice indeed.
• Oklahoma - met friends Kari and John from Texas. Always more fun with friends.
• New Hampshire - took 1st again and nice to be so close to my old home, Boston.  Thanks to Facebook, friends saw I was there and drove up that morning to surprise me.  The power of social media!
• Missouri - HOT... had to walk part of the run.  Firefighter John from Texas decides at last minute and joins me.  Borrowed a slick sled from the RD.  Specialized.  Hmmm?  Worth considering for my next bike.
• Colorado - the week before the movie theatre shooting.  I was in that exact theatre the week before.  Still kinda freaked out about that.  Homemade bike from my buddy Willie.  It wasn't pretty but she flew.  Averaged over 19.5 mph.
• Minnesota -  Friends Ralph and Carrie hosted me.  A soaker.  The only race of the season in the pouring rain.  I guess that's not too bad.
• Idaho - C d'A, the most beautiful place on earth.  Thanks Ann for joining me.
• Wisconsin - the smallest race and the locals with the biggest hearts. 
• Arkansas - joined by crazy Texas friends again.  So fun.  In the zone...race of my lifetime.  Took 1st in age again and capped off the season feeling strong.

Other things to note.  I still LOVE this sport.  I am relatively uninjured.  Well... not injured enough to really complain about.  I met hundreds of people and got a chance to spread the message of early detection.  The press was cooperative and the campaign got radio time, in newspapers and on tv.  I crested over the $81,000 mark and am on track to reach my $100K goal.   But first a month off from impact activities.  No running and no biking.  Only yoga, weights and swimming.  And probably not a lot of blog time.  I will ramp up again in about a month and start planning 2013. 
Thanks to all for the support and love along the way.  I couldn't do this without you.  Stay tuned.


TEAL to PINK

This Saturday, September 22, I will be speaking at the Teal to Pink Women's Awareness Day in Montclair, NJ.  I am especially excited to be participating in this day long event in an effort to promote awareness of breast and ovarian cancers.  Since Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month are back to back (September and October), I was approached about joining forces.  It seemed like a natural fit and a great idea.  Proceeds from the event will go to benefit research for both of these cancers.  The day will be jam packed with speakers, a comedian, a zumba class and meditation.  I am looking forward to participating as much as presenting.  So if you find yourself anywhere near Montclair NJ this Saturday, please consider attending.  If you can't attend, consider creating awareness in other ways.

• Paint your toe nails TEAL
• Wear a TEAL ribbon
• Wear some TEAL clothing
• Call five of your friends and ask if they know the signs of early detection
• Be the messenger!!!

A Great Ending and a Dinosaur

This season could not have ended any better.  Toad Suck, Arkansas representing state #42 and the end of my 2012 season.  My faithful friends, Kari (aka KK) and John (aka Google) from Texas drove and met me.  John surprised us with new tri kits...don't we look terrific?  It's always so much nicer to race with friends.  Beautiful venue, cool temps (believe it or not) and some killer hills.  Longer distance and I felt very strong, except for the bike but more on that in a minute.  Took 1st in age which is a great note to end the season on. 

The bike... well, let's just saw it was an older version, as in dinasour.  Because I have been renting this season instead of incurring the expense of shipping, I never quite know what I am going to get.  This one was a gem.  Beggars can't be choosers but I should have known something was amiss when the owner didn't have the right tool to put my pedals on.  Luckily I always bring my own set of tools.  TSA loves that by the way.  Designed to have many gears, this bike wasn't going to cooperate and gave me TWO gears to choose from.  Gear #1 and gear #2.  Did I mention it was a hilly course?  Well it made for some interesting conversation (with myself) on the bike course and a photo op of me throwing it in the trash post-race.  The upside is that I was so happy to get off the bike, I actually looked forward to the run.  That's a first.

Now I give myself six weeks to rest, sleep a little later, heal, recover ....and then back at it for 2013.  With eight states left, the end of the 50x50x100 campaign is in sight.  Truth to tell, I want to hit the brakes and slow it down.  In an attempt to charge through states, I missed some moments along the way.  I always try to "keep it in the day" but it's almost impossible.  Next year I want to really take it all in, slow it down and relish every state.  But first, a celebration of this year.  That means ICE CREAM tonight.

The Grand Finale

 

 

It's been a long 2012 season but the last race of it is this weekend in Toad Suck, Arkansas.  If you've followed my blog, you know that Toad Suck was named "Most Unfortunate" town name a few weeks back and that only serves to increase my interest in this town and in this event.  Having never heard the name before, it is exciting it is top news only a few short weeks before my arrival.

So far the race director, locals and press have been very supportive.  I am equally excited to see some of my buddies from Texas, who have committed to join me in any event that borders their home state.  What a great end to the season.

The remainder of September and October will be spent healing, resting and recharging for 2013.  I have eight (8) more states to complete my goal and while I have had wiggle room in determining my schedule in year's past, there is none for 2013.  But I will work out those logistics later this autumn.  First things first...Toad Suck, Arkansas awaits.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and did you know the color for ovarian cancer is TEAL?  In an effort to promote awareness, I am excited to be participating in several events this month.  The first series of events will be Community Yoga at Breathe N Flow Yoga Studio in my hometown of Freeport, NY.  Every Friday's 4 pm Vinyasa class during the month of September will benefit my campaign and OCRF from donations made by attendees.  There is no official charge for the class and instead is "donations only", with all proceeds going directly to the cause.  I hope to attend most of them to be on hand to answer questions and add a "face" to this deadly disease.  As you know, there are few survivors of ovarian cancer so it is one of my goals to offer hope and be a representative.

Join me and the gang at BNF Yoga Studio for Community Yoga on Fridays at 4 pm during the month of September and help raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research.