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Saint Valentine’s Day is just around the corner…and it is one I love.  It’s another opportunity to share warm feelings of love and gratitude for friendship and to fan the flames of faith….faith that we will be there for one another, faith in a God that loves us, faith in scientific discovery, faith in community. [...]

Saint Valentine's Day is just around the corner...and it is one I love.  It's another opportunity to share warm feelings of love and gratitude for friendship and to fan the flames of faith....faith that we will be there for one another, faith in a God that loves us, faith in scientific discovery, faith in community. I've just had a reminder that our health can change in a heartbeat....having injured my back (during exercise) and trying to make a comeback.  It was humbling but informative....I realize that my world (and yours) could change tomorrow.  We could be the ones searching for a cure. Blood cancers...leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins, and myeloma know no age boundaries.  Every 15 minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.  And every 15 minutes, someone's world is turned upside down. Your best Valentine EVER is your heartfelt contribution to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Be my Valentine today and make a generous gift to support LLS!  I want to be showered with Valentines this year!

It’s been a quiet week in my home town, Blacksburg, Virginia!!!  But there is exciting news to share! (APPLAUSE!!!!!)  Virginia Bethune and I have collaborated on a new harp CD, and it is ready to launch!!!  It is a gorgeous CD featuring harp, cello, and flute…23 “classical tunes and loveabyes” to soothe your soul.  It [...]

It's been a quiet week in my home town, Blacksburg, Virginia!!!  But there is exciting news to share! (APPLAUSE!!!!!)  Virginia Bethune and I have collaborated on a new harp CD, and it is ready to launch!!!  It is a gorgeous CD featuring harp, cello, and flute...23 "classical tunes and loveabyes" to soothe your soul.  It sells for just $10 and not only is this good for you - but it makes a perfect holiday gift! I'm especially excited about this project, since the music is wonderful and the net proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  If you're interested in a CD you can purchase by clicking the "Buy Now" button below.  If you're interested in selling them, please contact me!  Add $2.50 for S&H.

Who knew I would ever do a world triathlon competition?  Who knew that a small-town girl with no opportunity for organized sports or swimming, would be swimming in the Danube River, biking the streets of the city, and running over the magnificent Chain Bridge?  Who knew? Nine years ago, I began training and raising funds [...]

Who knew I would ever do a world triathlon competition?  Who knew that a small-town girl with no opportunity for organized sports or swimming, would be swimming in the Danube River, biking the streets of the city, and running over the magnificent Chain Bridge?  Who knew?

Nine years ago, I began training and raising funds with Team in Training for the Leukemia Society.   In April, 2010,  I did St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, FL - my 20th Team in Training event.  I've raised $80,000+ for this organization that has been so close to my heart for the past nine years.  This summer, my long-time friend and inspiration, J.D. Stahl, lost his life to CLL.  On some days, I feel I've come full circle, training for events while raising funds, being present to friends and family dealing with blood cancers, expecting much of myself simply because I have the luxury of good health and people skills.  No one has been more blessed than I.  Because of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I walked, then ran my first marathons, changed it up to do triathlon, and have adored doing century rides.

So I surprised myself by signing up to do the Quad Cities Triathlon to qualify for a world competition in Budapest.  I needed to adjust my brain to think "competition, not just completion."  Even more out of character (or was it?), I agreed to be on the USA Team to for the World Sprint Triathlon Competition in Budapest.   I've just returned from this new and challenging experience, and while others are gearing up for the upcoming qualifying events for 2011, I'm still processing this one trip of a lifetime.

The trip included days in Edinburgh for the World Duathlon competition, tourist days in Vienna, then time for the World Sprint Tri Competition in Budapest.  There I encountered the challenge of getting my bike from Fed Ex International (near miracle), feeling lost, feeling WET from all the rain, and feeling exhilarated by the international venue complete with logistical nightmares.  Apparently there weren't any of those in Australia last year!  On Friday, we rode our bikes from hotel to race location in the rain, racked our bikes in the transition area, then spent two hours trying to find our hotel.  Oh well, we didn't melt...just got tired.  Race day dawned WET, but the weather gods took pity and made it stop for the duration of the race.  We swam 750 meters in the Danube River at a temperature of 57F, biked 12 miles on wet surfaces, and ran a 5K ending on the Chain Bridge that spanned the Danube.  I've never been so glad to see a finish line!  Medals around necks and blankets around shoulders, we boarded a boat to cross back over the river to transition to gather our bikes and gear.  THEN, it poured.  Two of us were lucky to run into someone whose hotel was just 2 miles away...so we organized our stuff to ride through puddles and people, to the beautiful Gellert Hotel where the staff didn't bat an eye at the drowned rats and dripping bikes entering the lobby.  They quickly called a cab, removed our bike wheels, loaded them up, and bid us farewell as we sped off to our own hotel some distance away.

I didn't set any records...17th in my age group, but I loved doing an international event.  Thanks to all who helped me get there...all who bought my baked goods (Budapest or Bust Buddy Bars), or bought ice cream at Maggie Moo's.  Great thanks to TriAdventure for their unfailing support and training sessions, most of which I make.   Thanks to Mike M who encouraged me to try this "new thing," to Betsy for providing one of the Buddy Bar recipes and much cheerleading along the way.  A new experience to travel with such committed and skilled athletes.  To Donna for rooming with me and sightseeing in Edinburgh.

Bella Bike took a circuitous route to return home, but she's in good shape and is glad to be riding in familiar territory.  I think she could tell the most interesting tales of the trip!  Cheers everyone.  Stay tuned for what's next!!!  Jan

 

 

 

Come on down to Maggie Moo’s at First & Main this Wednesday night, 6-9 PM for some serious ice cream scooping!!!  We’re celebrating (and fund raising) Jan’s trip to Budapest to compete in the World Sprint Triathlon competition!  Come see your favorite super scoopers!  6-7:  Jan McGilliard and Kristen DiCarlo, 7-8:  Anne Thompson and Lynne [...]

Come on down to Maggie Moo's at First & Main this Wednesday night, 6-9 PM for some serious ice cream scooping!!!  We're celebrating (and fund raising) Jan's trip to Budapest to compete in the World Sprint Triathlon competition!  Come see your favorite super scoopers!  6-7:  Jan McGilliard and Kristen DiCarlo, 7-8:  Anne Thompson and Lynne Krulich, 8-9:  Mike McGilliard and Dave Winston.

As I look out my office window, I see a squirrel perched on a limb of the old Dogwood tree, tail twitching, swish! swish! like a windshield wiper, looking like he’s ready to launch.  I feel just like that!  Ready to launch!  This year, I determined to SHOW UP for all workouts:  Rambo…swim…bike….run…REPEAT!!!  Often there [...]

As I look out my office window, I see a squirrel perched on a limb of the old Dogwood tree, tail twitching, swish! swish! like a windshield wiper, looking like he's ready to launch.  I feel just like that!  Ready to launch!  This year, I determined to SHOW UP for all workouts:  Rambo...swim...bike....run...REPEAT!!!  Often there were two workouts a day...but the results are in:  I'm in the best shape of my life, and I qualified to compete in the World Sprint Triathlon Competition in Budapest, Hungary on September 11.  Next week, a small group of athletes will depart Roanoke for two weeks of competition, sightseeing, and culture, beginning in Edinburgh and ending in Budapest.  It's hard to believe I'll be among them!  So many people have been part of this venture:  TriAdventure Sports in Blacksburg (my fortress and inspiration on a daily basis), Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (with whom I've trained & raised funds for 9 yrs), this year's TNT Tri Coach Mike Morris, and lots of cheering from family and friends everywhere.  You're the best!!!  To top things off, Maggie Moo's at First & Main in Blacksburg is inviting all of you to come have ice cream this Wednesday night between 6 and 9 PM.  Life is short - eat dessert first!!!