Nearly There

In less than five days I'll be in the water, trying to stay calm, trying to swim fast, trying not to get my face kicked by the competitors in front of me. It's closing in.

Since the start of things in late November I've biked, swam and ran the miles through fatigue, injury and mental challenges. I've raised over $5700.00 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I've met my goals and I'm proud of that, really, but it was easy. As coach says: "Triathlons aren't hard. Chemotherapy is hard."

I'm lucky. I can do this triathlon. I can get out of bed in the wee hours of the morning on the beautiful island of Hawaii and I can push myself to the limit for over two and a half hours (and hopefully under three). I get to experience the scenery, the weather, the wind on my face and the freedom of being able to take my body places most people never get to. I can do these things because I am healthy and I will do them in honor of those who can not, because they struggle with cancer.

I've been fortunate to not have cancer affect very many people close to me. Our honored teammates who are survivors and the stories we have heard about those who were not so fortunate are reminders to be thankful that I'm alive and well. Did I have a tough week this week? Sure, but I had a week and I'm glad for every minute of it. Really, I've got nothing to complain about.

I've had the emotional support of many of you and you're reached out and supported Team In Training's mission to fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma society and helped me reach my goal. I'm proud to call all of you my friends. I will be thinking of you and trying not to let you down during my race.

I've decided I don't care about how many people I pass or what my final time is so much as I care about this one thing: that I give it my all. I want to cross the finish line with no regrets and nothing left and for that, I'm going to need some extra strength. So I'd like to tell you about Brenden Foster.

This remarkable eleven-year-old from Washington fought bravely for three years against leukemia. Towards the end of his struggle, he made a wish and it wasn't to go to Disneyland or to get a new toy. It wasn't anything for himself. Seeing some homeless on the street, Brenden wished to help them.

On November 21st, 2008, Brenden lost his battle to leukemia, but not before winning a victory much larger. His selflessness inspired others across the country to take action in their communities and make a difference. From Seattle to Los Angeles, Florida to Ohio, people organized food drives, passed out sandwiches and donated to food banks.

Can you imagine? If I faced what this child, twenty-two years younger than me, had to come to terms with, I would have withered into a puddle of self-pity, but Brenden faced up to the hand he was dealt and made a difference. I have requested permission from his family to compete in the lavaman triathlon in his honor and to wear his name on my jersey. If I can do this race with the barest sliver of the courage that Brenden had, then I know I'll finish without anything left behind.

Some people tell me that I'm doing a good thing, volunteering, raising money for LLS. Some friends have even called me inspiring. I'm doing this race because I can. It's that rare breed like Brenden who is truly inspiring. All I'm doing is chasing after them to catch a little of their glow.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far.

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Final training week:

Day 66 of training: (Saturday - Practice Triathlon)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 9
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 10
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 16
Ocean Swims: 12
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1

Day 67 of training: (Sunday - 1.5 mile Ocean Swim)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 9
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 10
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 16
Ocean Swims: 13
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1

Day 68 of training: (Monday - 15 mile bike ride)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 10
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 10
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 16
Ocean Swims: 13
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1

Day 69 of training: (Thursday - 7 mile run)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 10
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 10
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 17
Ocean Swims: 13
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1

Day 70 of training: (Friday - spin class)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 10
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 11
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 17
Ocean Swims: 13
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1

Day 71 of training: (Saturday - 2 mile ocean swim)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 10
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 11
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 17
Ocean Swims: 14
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1

Day 72 of training: (Sunday - 3 mile run)
Group rides: 4
Solo rides: 10
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 11
Pool Swims: 12
Maintenance Runs: 18
Ocean Swims: 14
Track/speed run workouts: 5
Bike/Run Bricks: 3
Practice Triathlons: 1