Much needed update..

It's been a while! I almost don't even know where to start... I guess, 1st..let's talk fundraising. So I've made it to 70% of my goal...which is awesome... but I must say, I had my goals set high and I'm a bit bummed that I'm not just a wee bit closer to my minimun by now. Well, let me rewind a bit... I'm 100% greatful to all of my friends and family who have already donated and lent their support to both my fundraising goals and my training...it means so much to me and I thank you all so much! I have also seen a lot of great things that companies in the community have been willing to do to help support the cause as well, which is very cool. For example, if you've never been to Chick Fil-A (which I never had before this..), they. are. amazing. First, they have awesome customer service in their restaurants (what other fast food joint has people walking around the dining room asking if you need any more napkins, sauces or a refill??)..which it seems lots of people already knew about that. But they were also SO supportive of my fundraising efforts and they donated a BUNCH of chicken nuggets for my Gymboree event last weekend...all with really no questions asked...just 'when do you need them?'... I just think that's awesome... They have a fan for life in me, for sure! So with all of this fundraising, it's definitely been a learning experience... I've learned that there is a lot of good out there and a lot of willingness to support a great cause. I've also learned that sometimes, even with the best laid plans...an event can be a bit of a flop. Again, I've had a lot of amazing supporters, but it's hard to not be a tad disappointed when you spend an entire afternoon at an event that you organized...only to have ONE person show up. Ah... Live and learn, I suppose.. (in fairness...I had the Gymboree event on both friday and saturday, and friday was pretty darn successful.. And I should also add that Gymboree has been amazing in that they offered their facilities and supplies and such ALL for the event and ALL for nothing in return...so that was awesome, too!) So anyway, that's how fundraising is going. I don't have any other events planned at the moment... But I'm still happily collecting any and all donataions at the website/link at the top of this blog! Again...I cannot thank all of you enough for donating and supporting me, my goals for training and fundraising, and the cause. I guess my husband, Matt, helps to keep things in perspective and reminds me that I have raised over $3,000 for LLS in just a couple short months, which is GREAT! ...but when I'm training along side the moms of our teams 2 honored heroes and hearing them talk about their 1st time hearing that their child has cancer...about the long years and struggles and ups and downs of treatments... about how they started in with Team in Training not quite knowing what event they could do...but just that they needed to be a part of something to do whatever they could to try to cure their babies... I just want to do more. I want to do my very best to get them and their families the treatment and care and CURE that they so need and deserve...
My training is still in full swing, too, of coarse. My race season officially kicks off this saturday with the IU half marathon...so...let's get this thing started! I'm trying to taper a bit this week to have my legs nice and fresh for the run...but training still goes on. Last weekend, on saturday, our team met up for a lovely brick workout at Eagle Creek. I was only able to stick around for part of it because we had Mason's 1st egg hunt to get to! But I did get in about 10k run, 15k bike, and then a few minutes of hill repeat runs (just for good measure) before I hit the road and raced over to the church for some good family fun!...which was great, by the way... Mason got 3 whole eggs in his robot basket (he picked it out...nice one, Dad!)... He was a bit unsure of the whole things and kept putting the eggs that I was encouraging him to pick up...back into the grass, like "what do I want with that thing??". But then...he opened one to find a mini candy bar...and THEN they were worth holding on to! He did get to take a bite of his 'treat' and he was more than pleased with the mornings events! So that was my saturday morning..then off to my Gymboree event... And that's a day in the life of a fundraising triathlete!! It really is fun, though... I promise!!

I'm FREE!!!

Woo Hoo!! We got outside on our bikes today for the 1st time this season...and though it was only about 30 degrees when we started, it felt GREAT! It's been a long, cold winter of indoor cycling, and there's just not much (that I can think of at the moment) better than getting back on the road. Our trusty tri team met up at 8am today and the group I rode with made it 9 miles on the bike in about 30 minutes (not super fast, but OK for our 1st time out in a while), and then my teammate, Ashley, and I ran a lovely, leisurely 9 miles after! I must say... I love tri training! I do. I really do. And having a team to get out there with (and to help justify riding your bike in 30 degree weather!) helps so much. So that's been my day here so far.

We got back after our long weekend in Playa Del Carmen, MX late on monday, so I kind of crammed a lot of training in to those shorter weeks. I did train while I was away (I know...most call that crazy, but it really was enjoyable), but not quite the same as I do when I'm home. I did get some great runs in on the beach, which is always a welcome change of pace. In fact, here's a little snapshot of what my morning runs looked like last week!

Pretty nice, huh... See, now I don't seem so crazy for wanting to get out to enjoy this scenery, right?? Anyway, it was a great time, but I did miss my little guy, Mason, whom we left at home with his Grandma Bucher. Aside from all the great training I got in this week, I must add that Mason had quite the accomplishment, too!... he's now a proud, official member of the 'no cavity club'! He made it, quite successfully, through his 1st dentist appointment

So that's been our week! All in all, I think it's going well. Fundraising is still going; it's stalled a little bit, but there's still time to donate, so never fear! The link is still at the top of the blog (aptly titled 'my fundraising page') if you want to add your donation. I still have my Tastefully Simple fundraiser going on...feel free to order on-line and add me as your host and your purchase will go towards the fundraiser. Also, if you're in the Indianapolis area and have little ones that like to run and climb and have lots of fun, we're having a Gymboree Playgym for LLS coming up on friday, 3/26 from 4-7:30pm and saturday, 3/27 from 2:30-6pm where donations will be collected, there will be items up for silent auction, food, games, fun, come join! So that's what's coming up with fundraising. I thank all of you so much for the support you have offered. I continue to think of my honored heroes and all of those suffering through treatments and rough times as I head out for my trainings, and it keeps me focused... My eyes are on the prize and every little bit that we all can do to raise money to help these folks helps so much, so thank you for joining me in this great cause!