The last 12 months: Looking back, looking forward.
I'm pretty proud as look back and see all of the accomplishments I've made since making such a pivital lifestyle change with my health. Athletically in the last twelve months, I have competed in one 5K run, one 4-mile run, one 10K run, three sprint triathlons, two Olympic triathlons and one Half Ironman. I have Team in Training to thank for that -- it was that program that fueled my passion for triathlons. The sport of triathlons is increasing in popularity, but according to USA Traithlon (USAT), I am one of only 200,000 to 250,000 people that competed in a triathlon last year.
And then there is the philanthropic aspect. I've always had a passion for supporting a good cause, whether it's through volunteering my time or helping raise money. In the case with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I have to do both. Fortunately, I have a strong support network of friends, family, co-workers, teammates, and even strangers. It is because of all of these people that I can accomplish the goals I set for myself. In the last twelve months, with everyone's help, I have raised almost $10,000 through the Team in Training program. That may seem like a drop in the bucket, but with enough drops, any bucket can be filled to the top!
Last year didn't bring all good news, however. In this past year, I've known five people who have been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, and two people who have died. To me, this is a harsh reminder that despite the strides that have been made, there is still a lot of progress that needs to take place. It is because of this I decided to continue to support this very worthy cause.
In the last 30 days, I've had a poll up on this blog posing the question as to which next big event I should do through Team in Training. Choices included an Olympic distance triathlon (set in Washington DC), a century ride (a 100-mile bike ride set in Tuscon, Arizona), and a marathon (set in either Chicago, IL or Dublin, Ireland), and the decision would be completely up to the readers.
As you can see by the results, the choice is clear. A marathon is the next event on my list to check off. Once again, I'll be joining a new group of crazy athletes in this world as I accomplish this task. (According to Running USA, only one tenth of one percent of the world's population has ever completed a marathon.)This will be a big challenge for me for a few different reasons.
One is that I'm not a huge fan of running. Though as a child I was pretty athletic (having grown up in the pool and being a competitive downhill ski racer since the age of 5), I got cut from the tennis team in high school after not being able to run a mile.
Another is that I'm still dealing the after-effects of my hamstring injury from two months ago. Though the injury is 99% healed, my left leg still compensates and causes extra strain on my left hip flexor. This isn't a deal breaker in any way, but it is a nuiscance. I'm very thankful for Motrin, that's for sure.
Finally, 26.2 miles is a long way. Period. Yes, I had to complete 13.1 miles in the half Ironman race last month, but I didn't run that whole distance. Even if the heat hadn't been an unbearable 95 humid degrees, I'm not sure if I would have ben able to run it. Long distance running is definitely something that doesn't happen overnight, and I know I'll have a lot of training I must do in preparation.
Fortunately, I have all summer to train. I'm still going to partake in a few triathlons here and there, but the long-distance run training will definitely be my focus.
That's okay...my sights are now set on successfully completing this marathon on behalf of all of the people who have fought against blood cancers. I'm looking forward to new accomplishments, making new friends, and once again raising money for this good cause. I hope you'll join me as I begin my second year of this journey...who knows where this road will take me next.
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Want to check out my new Team In Training page? Here it is!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/mi/dublin08/aduncan
And then there is the philanthropic aspect. I've always had a passion for supporting a good cause, whether it's through volunteering my time or helping raise money. In the case with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I have to do both. Fortunately, I have a strong support network of friends, family, co-workers, teammates, and even strangers. It is because of all of these people that I can accomplish the goals I set for myself. In the last twelve months, with everyone's help, I have raised almost $10,000 through the Team in Training program. That may seem like a drop in the bucket, but with enough drops, any bucket can be filled to the top!
Last year didn't bring all good news, however. In this past year, I've known five people who have been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, and two people who have died. To me, this is a harsh reminder that despite the strides that have been made, there is still a lot of progress that needs to take place. It is because of this I decided to continue to support this very worthy cause.
In the last 30 days, I've had a poll up on this blog posing the question as to which next big event I should do through Team in Training. Choices included an Olympic distance triathlon (set in Washington DC), a century ride (a 100-mile bike ride set in Tuscon, Arizona), and a marathon (set in either Chicago, IL or Dublin, Ireland), and the decision would be completely up to the readers.
As you can see by the results, the choice is clear. A marathon is the next event on my list to check off. Once again, I'll be joining a new group of crazy athletes in this world as I accomplish this task. (According to Running USA, only one tenth of one percent of the world's population has ever completed a marathon.)This will be a big challenge for me for a few different reasons.
One is that I'm not a huge fan of running. Though as a child I was pretty athletic (having grown up in the pool and being a competitive downhill ski racer since the age of 5), I got cut from the tennis team in high school after not being able to run a mile.
Another is that I'm still dealing the after-effects of my hamstring injury from two months ago. Though the injury is 99% healed, my left leg still compensates and causes extra strain on my left hip flexor. This isn't a deal breaker in any way, but it is a nuiscance. I'm very thankful for Motrin, that's for sure.
Finally, 26.2 miles is a long way. Period. Yes, I had to complete 13.1 miles in the half Ironman race last month, but I didn't run that whole distance. Even if the heat hadn't been an unbearable 95 humid degrees, I'm not sure if I would have ben able to run it. Long distance running is definitely something that doesn't happen overnight, and I know I'll have a lot of training I must do in preparation.
Fortunately, I have all summer to train. I'm still going to partake in a few triathlons here and there, but the long-distance run training will definitely be my focus.
That's okay...my sights are now set on successfully completing this marathon on behalf of all of the people who have fought against blood cancers. I'm looking forward to new accomplishments, making new friends, and once again raising money for this good cause. I hope you'll join me as I begin my second year of this journey...who knows where this road will take me next.
-------
Want to check out my new Team In Training page? Here it is!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/mi/dublin08/aduncan
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