Tom in Training
Triathlon-ing to Whoop Cancer's Ass...
Update 5/10
It's official! I'm a triathlete!!! A Rookie to be sure, but a triathlete nonetheless!!
I finished with a time of 1:05:50, which I'm rather pleased with, especially as it was my first triathlon!
I'm resting up now, but my body is spent in the most wonderful way -- knowing I pushed myself to race hard, I'm drunk with exhaustion, gratitude, and elation. (and later on beer when I celebrate tonight!)
A year ago today I went to the ER with a fever. The days previous I had been transfused with platelets and blood. I had received chemo just a few days before that. And today I completed a triathlon. I never dreamed I'd come this far in a year, and it feels amazing. I'm so proud to have such great friends and family support me through both cancer and the after, and without their help, I wouldn't be a triathlete today.
Much love to all that helped me here, and know that I appreciate it so deeply. I have nothing but gratitude and thankfulness right now.
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Update 4/20
I want you to know that I'm still training hard to put the hurt on cancer!!!
This morning I went out for a lovely 24-mile ride out near the Veloway. It was great! Later today, I'll be off for some yoga (and then beers!).
Been taking it easy on the running lately, as I've had a wee stress injury in my right foot. I'm certainly glad I went to see a sports medicine doc -- he said that, had I continued on as I was, I probably would've got a stress fracture! No good!!! So I've been really working on the swim, and -- as the wetsuit shot will illustrate -- I'm feeling great about it! Friday night we had an open-water swim at Pure Austin North, and I did the whole 1,500m!
The planning of Tom in Training is well underway, and we're gathering some awesome stuff to give away! Save the date -- Friday, May 16th at Whisky Bar in downtown Austin. Be there! Rollicking good times guaranteed!!!
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Update 4/3
Hello! Plans are now underway for a fundraising party!
Friday, May 16th. Raucous and rowdy, TomInTraining will celebrate with a night of cancer crushing! Great music, good drinks, and lots of goodies to giveaway! More details soon...
Update 3/15
Had a little cold this week, but I think I'm over it, and ready to keep puttin' the hurt on.
This morning, I participated in the TNT 2 Miler. Having burned myself out in the first half of the run (I've got to work on my pacing), I was walking down the home stretch, catching my breath...
Well, lo and behold, I hear footsteps approaching from behind; not unusual, as there are quite a few people racing. However, when said participant passes me, I quickly realize that it is, in fact, a -- give-or-take -- 13-year-old girl. I dug deep, and you'll all be proud to know, that I beat a 13-year-old girl!!!
(I also want to point out that said 13-year-old girl went on to take 2nd place among the females, so she was obviously of super-human strength. Obviously.)
Weekly recap:
- Saturday (3/8): 20-mile ride, 2 1/4-mile run
- Sunday: 1-mile swim
- Monday: core class
- Tuesday: 1-mile+ swim
- Wednesday: 3-mile run (2-mile time trial -- 14:58!)
- Thursday: *REST*
- Friday: yoga
- Saturday (3/8): TNT 2-Miler race, 19-mile ride
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Update 3/8
I just got back from a 20-mile ride, 2 loops up around the Arboretum. It was 35 degrees when we started. Wow.
Weekly recap:
- Saturday (3/1): 4-mile run
- Sunday: 19-mile ride
- Monday: 1/2 mile swim, core class
- Tuesday: spin class
- Wednesday: 5-mile run
- Thursday: 1-mile swim, spin class
- Friday: yoga
- Saturday (3/8): 20-mile bike, 2 3/8 mile run
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Welcome to my Team In Training home page!
I am training to participate in an Olympic-length triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run!) as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma from taking more lives.
As most of you know, I was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma in December of 2006; after 5 months of chemo and a month of radiation, I was declared "in remission," and was told I had to complete a triathlon or they would remove me from that list.
I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, and especially those who have lost their battle; I'm one of the lucky ones, and I dedicate my performance to the honor of those who weren't.
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission -> puttin' the hurt on cancer!
I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress! Thanks for your support, and help me continue to make cancer my bitch!
