Welcome to my Team in Training Blog

"Try not to become a man of success but a man of value."
Albert Einstein

Thanks Al and welcome one and all to a blog I set up many, many years ago. It was left unused all this time while my head filled with delusions of scribbling my mightiest musing on the digital page. We see how that all worked out. So instead of being used for its original, mind-numbingly egotistical purposes it will now be converted to my Team in Training blog. I will be updating regularly about my campaign to raise money for the LLS. Now if you're somehow haven't been linked here by one of my emails, my fund raising page or a TNT-related (shorthand for Team in Training from now on) facebook post I'll tell you a little bit about how I got started and what this is all about.

Since about 2004 I've been training off and on for short endurance races like triathlons, duathlons, 5ks, and cycling races. I've even participated in a few. After racing in the National Duathlon Championship, a national event that was nonetheless open to all participants, here in Richmond I received a notice from TNT about their program. It really piqued my interest as a group where people came together to train and race and to do it all for a really good cause. So I filed that away in my mind knowing that I would come back to it. And that's what I did this winter, sitting on this contraption I use to hold my bike in place so I can ride it indoors, wondering when the snow and cold would go away so I could play outside again, I though about how in the world I could stay motivated in such dire conditions. In a few short hours I was on the phone with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Richmond, from there I was whisked into an email network of coaches, coordinators, and mentors who were all very excited to have me on board and to get me to start raising money ostensibly. And I have, with an initial donation of $100 from the folks (they promised me a bike race for Christmas) and some paperwork I am now officially a member of Team In Training (full name used for emphasis).

Here's basically how it works: I will be training everyday and meeting with the team regularly about twice a week while you, my friends and family, make donations to my website which go directly to the LLS. Everyday that I'm being inspired by the idea of helping cancer patients get well people can take inspiration from me, and then I in turn from them as they contribute to my website and we watch the goal tick away. TNT has placed on my shoulders a goal and a minimum of raising $1,500. Ideally, I'll be getting MANY MANY people to make just small donations (150 at $10 apiece and we've got that goal licked) to make sure I make all of the deadlines. All of this comes to a head in June when I race the I Love the Tavern Triathlon in Richmond.

After getting all the details over the phone I met with my coach, Kia yesterday in the early AM. Swim practice was at the Northside Y and I got there with just enough time to greet and introduce. She was bright-eyed, energetic, and impressively undaunted by the fact I was late for my first practice. After that and a short shift at work I stopped by the LLS headquarters to meet briefly with Cate, the event coordinator, and drop off the forms she had emailed me along with my registration fee. I'd never been to a non-profit before, but I guess they are all staffed by beautiful, smiling women who are excited to see me. That is, if LLS is any indication. Cate was just one of several working there with a great smile; she set me up with my starter kit (pics to follow) and loads of info (info to follow) to get me started and sent me on my way with lots of wishes of good luck.

Looks like I have homework

Dri-fit shirt to train in

So I'm in, on the ground running, and I'm ready and excited to raise a bunch of money for a great cause. I'll be updating here as much as possible so stay tuned and don't forget to visit my website and make a donation directly to LLS!