Thursday, August 18, 2011
Another Discovery In The News
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=524171051335401771
P.S. In my early morning 'fog' I tried to post this in my "In The News" section, unsuccessfully. So, for now, everyone gets to read this short article here. But if you come by and can't find it later, look at "In The News".
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
140.6 Miles for Mitzie
Ironman Texas 2012 Plan:
I've registered for the race, signed on with OCRF (that's blog-talk for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund), and they have hooked my amateur butt up with some great OCRF goodies and an awesome link (http://ocrf.kintera.org/mazeikas). Want to know why?? Besides the fact that they think I look great in teal, it is also because of this...
On May 19, 2012 I am going to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles for Mitzie (aka Mom). That's 140.6 miles, in under 17 hours!! And I want to have every mile sponsored by one of you, my amazing supporters, my cheer squad, my (and my mom's and grandmother's) champions in this fight against ovarian cancer.
Each mile costs $100....BUT do not fret my survivors in these tough economic times, for you can STILL help me!! Maybe you don't have $100 lying around - I get that. Some of you are like me and spent that last $100 you had lying around on race entries and hotel rooms for crazy endurance events (no, that's not you?...hmmmm). Or, maybe you're completely normal and you got bills and life and a hot water tank that just bonked and is going to cost an arm and a leg to fix. But you still want to help??? (Yayyyyyy- I love you!)
Don't let the $100 get you down, if you can only give $10 then you still get 1/10th of 1/140.6 miles. Not a math a person? (Neither am I - I had to get my husband to read this to make sure I wrote all the fractions correctly...a-hem) Let's say you can spare $10 for the campaign, and I'm up to getting mile 41 sponsored, then you will get 1/10th of mile 41!! Yayyy! Maybe you can give more and you've got $25 to spare, then that's 1/4 of mile 41....OR maybe you have $25, and three more of your awesome friends/family want to help me out too with another $25 donation each...then I will give you and your friends and family the entire mile 41!!!
Maybe you have a particular mile in mind...like say you love the number 7, or you plan on watching me race and want to hang out at mile 18 - then guess what - if YOU give to my campaign then I'll give you part or all of that mile that you request (based on availability, of course). Or, do you have a really cool name you'd like to have your mile called (or your portion of a mile) Just let me know - I want it to be fun and inspiring...and funny, comedic, or curious, and crazy!! Make me laugh people - I've got a long time to think about what the heck YOU were thinking when you decided to name mile 11 the "Milky Way Mile of Mayhem"
Perhaps you would like to sponsor more than one mile, or even an entire portion of the race (like, the 2.4 miles swim would be a $240 donation) and maybe your name is Sally Jesse. I would give you the "Sally Jesse's Super Swim Event" of Ironman Texas 2012! (Any relation to real, or fictional talk show hosts is completely coincidental)
Awesome, right!!??? Right!!!
This means that if I get all 140.6 miles sponsored at $100 each, then, all of us together have the opportunity to donate $14,060 (Yes, I used a calculator to figure that out) to OCRF in my mom's name!!!!
That's 140.6 miles for you mom....
And $14,060 to raise awareness, find a means of early detection, and help end the grim statistics that surround ovarian cancer....basically, to change the future for these little girls:
So ready, set, donate:
http://ocrf.kintera.org/
You can also click on the purple and gold link at the top - in case you missed it :-)
You can also click on the purple and gold link at the top - in case you missed it :-)
Love Yins!!
Monday, August 8, 2011
River Cities Triathlon Race Report - The Race to Ironman Begins
This weekend was so much fun! A friend of mine has spoken so highly of the River Cities Triathlon since she first completed it a few years ago that I knew this one would be on my 'must do' list. I'm so glad I got to do it this year!
We got to Shreveport around 4pm and checked in with the race at Sportspectrum - a really cool fitness apparel store. While waiting in line for my race packet I walked straight past a table set up for a raffle drawing with triathlete Jenn Sommermann, an ovarian cancer survivor who is racing around the country to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).
I had read Jenn's story a few months back and written her an email telling her about losing my mother and grandmother to this horrible disease. I also let her know how grateful I was for her efforts and that whenever I got to meet her I wanted to give her two hugs, one for my mom and one for my grandmother. So needless to say, I was thrilled to see her. After I grabbed my packet I walked over to the table and introduced myself. Jenn was so gracious and immediately gave me the biggest hug I've had in a long time. Let's just say I lost it...cried my eyes out. I felt so embarrassed, but the first thing that popped into my head when she hugged me was "I'm hugging a survivor!" She was so sweet and encouraging in MY efforts to raise money. I could barely even get out the words to thank her in person - but I did manage to give her the TWO hugs I promised her I would. Here's a picture of us (once I wiped the mascara off my face - Ha!):
Please check out her blog and help her if you can: http://www.jennsommermann.blogspot.com/
Now I had to focus on race day. That means a mandatory pasta dinner, setting up all of my gear so it's ready to go in the morning, and attempting to get a good night's sleep.
The next morning we were up at 5:00am. Time to get dressed, load up all of the gear and the bike and get to transition. I love getting to transition early...thankfully so do most of the other triathletes I know! It's nice to get there with plenty of time to set up, go to the bathroom 7 or 8 times!, and people watch before the nerves set in.
My wave started around 8:40. We all stepped into the water, the cannon went off and the race was on. The 800m swim was nice once I could get out of the crowds and find a line to the next buoys. There was a small current that made it a bit of a struggle to stay straight, but it was a quick swim and in a little less than 20 minutes I was done and on my way to the bike.
I headed out on the bike (my worst of the three disciplines) and just tried to find a rhythm and not count the number of times I was passed. The course was a big 18 mile loop of rolling hills around the lake and was pretty shaded from the extreme August heat. It was a really nice bike ride - challenging, but not killer, with some really great scenery.
I got off the bike in 1:05:52...which I'm pretty happy with. That's about 16.6mph average on rolling hills and 100 degree temperatures. I'll take it.
Next up, my favorite part, the run!! I love to run, especially in the heat. I felt good for the whole 3.1 miles and worked hard to keep cool. I really thought my pace was much faster than a 9:18/mile, but I'm still happy with the 28:49 run finish. My total race time was 2:00:09.
You really have to consider the heat in races like this. It's amazing how much faster race times are all around in cooler/drier conditions. Racing and exercising, in general, in extreme temperatures really takes a lot more out of you. I consider any work out in that kind of weather a success if I don't end up puking my brains out in the end. So this race is an absolute success in my book!
When we reached the car in the parking lot the temperature outside was 108 degrees!! That officially makes this the hottest race I've ever competed in!
River Cities was a great start to my fundraising efforts for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Even though I didn't raise any money for this race in particular, I consider it the beginning to the ramp up races for my Ironman on May 19, 2012. Soon I'll have some more information about my plans for the Ironman, but please keep following me and stay tuned for all Miles for Mitzie events so you can find a place that you can help too.
Stay tuned...
We got to Shreveport around 4pm and checked in with the race at Sportspectrum - a really cool fitness apparel store. While waiting in line for my race packet I walked straight past a table set up for a raffle drawing with triathlete Jenn Sommermann, an ovarian cancer survivor who is racing around the country to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).
I had read Jenn's story a few months back and written her an email telling her about losing my mother and grandmother to this horrible disease. I also let her know how grateful I was for her efforts and that whenever I got to meet her I wanted to give her two hugs, one for my mom and one for my grandmother. So needless to say, I was thrilled to see her. After I grabbed my packet I walked over to the table and introduced myself. Jenn was so gracious and immediately gave me the biggest hug I've had in a long time. Let's just say I lost it...cried my eyes out. I felt so embarrassed, but the first thing that popped into my head when she hugged me was "I'm hugging a survivor!" She was so sweet and encouraging in MY efforts to raise money. I could barely even get out the words to thank her in person - but I did manage to give her the TWO hugs I promised her I would. Here's a picture of us (once I wiped the mascara off my face - Ha!):
Now I had to focus on race day. That means a mandatory pasta dinner, setting up all of my gear so it's ready to go in the morning, and attempting to get a good night's sleep.
The next morning we were up at 5:00am. Time to get dressed, load up all of the gear and the bike and get to transition. I love getting to transition early...thankfully so do most of the other triathletes I know! It's nice to get there with plenty of time to set up, go to the bathroom 7 or 8 times!, and people watch before the nerves set in.
Ready to roll! Go Team Hope!
My wave started around 8:40. We all stepped into the water, the cannon went off and the race was on. The 800m swim was nice once I could get out of the crowds and find a line to the next buoys. There was a small current that made it a bit of a struggle to stay straight, but it was a quick swim and in a little less than 20 minutes I was done and on my way to the bike.
I headed out on the bike (my worst of the three disciplines) and just tried to find a rhythm and not count the number of times I was passed. The course was a big 18 mile loop of rolling hills around the lake and was pretty shaded from the extreme August heat. It was a really nice bike ride - challenging, but not killer, with some really great scenery.
Getting ready for the bike ride!
18 mile ride done! Now it's time to RUN!
I got off the bike in 1:05:52...which I'm pretty happy with. That's about 16.6mph average on rolling hills and 100 degree temperatures. I'll take it.
Next up, my favorite part, the run!! I love to run, especially in the heat. I felt good for the whole 3.1 miles and worked hard to keep cool. I really thought my pace was much faster than a 9:18/mile, but I'm still happy with the 28:49 run finish. My total race time was 2:00:09.
Crossing the finish line!
You really have to consider the heat in races like this. It's amazing how much faster race times are all around in cooler/drier conditions. Racing and exercising, in general, in extreme temperatures really takes a lot more out of you. I consider any work out in that kind of weather a success if I don't end up puking my brains out in the end. So this race is an absolute success in my book!
When we reached the car in the parking lot the temperature outside was 108 degrees!! That officially makes this the hottest race I've ever competed in!
River Cities was a great start to my fundraising efforts for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Even though I didn't raise any money for this race in particular, I consider it the beginning to the ramp up races for my Ironman on May 19, 2012. Soon I'll have some more information about my plans for the Ironman, but please keep following me and stay tuned for all Miles for Mitzie events so you can find a place that you can help too.
Stay tuned...
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