Beth Davis's Team In Training Page
Swimming, Biking, Running, and Fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Or, Why I Decided to Dip a Toe in the Hudson)
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
So, I completed the New York City Triathlon! And I have the pictures to prove it! It was an amazing day, and it was especially amazing to see all the purple jerseys out there, and knowing that each of them had raised so much money for cancer research and patient care. My favorite part of the triathlon was the bike ride, cycling up the West Side Highway, across the Henry Hudson Bridge, and into the Bronx. My least favorite part was the swim, with the yucky water and slimy river bottom!! At one point, I did float on my back though, and it was a pretty amazing view of Manhattan. And of course, the run through Central Park was awesome, although I was slightly delerious at that point!! I finished the race in 3 hours 27 minutes, most of the 27 minutes being transition time. For example, my 14 minute transition from swim to bike, which consisted of a long barefoot run, and a visit to the porta-potty. Hardcore triathletes are crazy about their transition time, but I was more than happy to take my sweet time!
I highly recommend this experience to EVERYONE! It was an absolutely positive experience in every way. You should find out if there is a Team in Training chapter in your town (chances are, there IS!!). THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
T Minus 9 Hours
I've picked up my registration packet, dropped off my bike, seen the staging area for the swim, and stuffed myself with pasta. I think I'm ready. DON'T I LOOK READY?? Seriously though, during the pasta party, Murph, one of our honored teammates, gave a speech. He is a blood cancer survivor and a first time triathlete as of tomorrow morning. He did a great job, with humor and seriousness, of reminding us of why we are all doing this. He reminded us that cancer is a bad thing that happens to good people, and that as members of Team in Training, we are good people trying to DO BAD THINGS TO CANCER! So far, this year's Team in Training NYC Triathlon team has raised over three-quarters of a million dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!! And we're not quite done yet!!
***ANOTHER UPDATE*** As race day approaches, I am getting closer to my minimum fundraising goal ($2,400), but would love to exceed that goal, and raise $3000! This Saturday I did a BRick workout in the park, and rode 18 miles, and ran 5 miles. I'm also gearing up for the open water swim in the Hudson!!
***UPDATE*** Thank you so much for all the donations that have been made so far! I'm continuing with my training, and it's gettting better. On Wednesday night I ran 5.1 miles and it wasn't too bad. The swimming is much better, especially since I've finally mastered use of the pull buoy, and I've only fallen over ONCE on my bike - that was a little awkward, but luckily the biking shorts are padded! (Hopefully that won't happen on the day of the race.) Thanks again for your support!
During the next five months, I will be training for the Ford New York City Olympic Triathlon. That's right. I will be training to swim in the Hudson River!
Why have I decided to do this crazy thing? The personal challenge of completing an actual triathlon is an important reason. But this event is about a lot more than just swimming, biking, and running. It is about raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. Team in Training raises money for the Society, which provides funds for blood cancer research, and works to educate the public about these diseases and provide support to patient aid programs. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society meets the Better Business Standards for ethical conduct and charitable giving. This is truly an important organization, as leukemia is the #1 disease killer of children and the leading fatal malignant disease of men and women under the age of thirty-five. Recent advances in research (funded in part by the funds raised by Team in Training) have brought great improvements in treatment for leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma, but there is a lot more work that remains to be done. Over 110,960 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a blood cancer this year, and an estimated 55,100 will die. Funds provided by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will help drive research that can lead to new advances in treatment, and aid scientists as they work to find a cure for blood cancers.
So as I train for this triathlon, I will be doing more than learning to ride a bike with my feet clipped to the pedals (yikes!), and learning a swimming stroke besides the doggie paddle. I will be working to raise money that will be used to help find a cure for blood cancers. My fundraising goal is $3,000, and I am confident that with your help I can even exceed my goal! Approximately 75% of the money I raise will go straight to the important programs of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and 100% of the funds above my minimum fundraising goal (which is $2,400) will go straight to these programs. So as I train to swim .9 of a mile (in the Hudson River, no less), cycle for 25 miles, and run 6.2 miles, please consider making a donation of $25, $50, $100 or even more to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! And remember, your donation in 100% tax deductible! Give what you can. When the whole Team is working together, every penny really does count!
Thank you very much for your support. Please check my website for updates on my fundraising and training goals!
