Racing to Save Lives with TNT -- Again!

After much internal debate, I decided to go for it, folks! I enjoyed the physical and philanthropic challenge of training for last year's Wildflower Olympic Triathlon so much that I had to repeat the experience! I had hoped to sign up for the Escape from Alcatraz, even though it scares the bejeezus out of me, but I didn't get a spot in the race via the lottery. So... I'm back for another year as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training, and my goal is to improve my time on the Wildflower Olympic distance triathlon. Heck, given my schedule I'll be happy to complete it again!

The scenic Wildflower triathlons are held on May 2 at Lake San Antonio in Monterey County, California. The Olympic distance consists of a 1500 meter (.9 mile) swim, a 40 km (25 mile) bike race and a 10 km (6.2 mile) run. Last year I believe my time was around two and a half hours. I guess I ought to go back and look.

More important than my time is my purpose, however. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of my grandmother, who died of leukemia as a young mother. Through Team in Training I have met many other cancer survivors, young and old, who inspire me to live as fully as I can.

That's why I humbly ask you to please help advance LLS's mission by making a donation. Last year, with your help I raised over $3000. This year, I'm aiming for a similar amount, though in actuality I have a little wiggle room as there have been adjustments made to accommodate the shrinking economy. This is a quality charity that uses 80% of all donations to directly fund cancer researchers, clinicians and patients. In this economy, LLS has made sure that it runs as efficiently as possible so that your generosity can have the profoundest effect on the lives of cancer patients.

Finally, you may be wondering how I have time to do this. I myself wonder sometimes. However, I find that when I push myself physically, I perform better in all areas of my life. I think accomplishing a goal such as this, that is outside your professional and artistic sphere, is useful because it shows you that so much more is possible than you ever thought. Two years ago being a triathlete seemed like a superhuman feat that I could only barely imagine. Now I have learned that with consistency, discipline and a lot of support, I can achieve something grand. The success last year rippled into other areas of my life and helped me see what's important. If you can go from zero to triathlete in four months, what else can you achieve?

Please lend a hand! Thank you!

P.S. Here's a video from last year's training swim in the SF Bay: