TweetThis week, I recorded a video with an enthusiastic fifth grader from Auburn Elementary School in Riner, VA.  We were preparing the school to participate in a program called “Pennies for Patients.”  Students take home a collection box and gather spare change for three weeks, bring it all to school and dump it into a [...]

[caption id="attachment_576" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Go Team Tahoe!"][/caption] This week, I recorded a video with an enthusiastic fifth grader from Auburn Elementary School in Riner, VA.  We were preparing the school to participate in a program called "Pennies for Patients."  Students take home a collection box and gather spare change for three weeks, bring it all to school and dump it into a bigger box, to be put together with other boxes all over VA, to be put together with collection boxes all over the country.  Last year, Virgina schools collected $265,000 in spare change.  Last year, $21 million was collected nationally to add to our fundraising efforts for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  That is impressive!  And on a bigger scale, that is what we do in Team in Training.  My goal of $5000 is put together with Bob Dapper's $5000, which is put together with Nancy Valet's $5000....and so on throughout Virginia and the nation.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is one of the top charities in the country for effective fundraising and use of funds for research, education, and family services. I am within $1000 of my goal of $5000.  Help me to reach my goal so my funds can be added to those of my team mates here in Virginia and all over the country.  The donate button on this site will take you to my Team in Training fundraising page.  Once I reach my goal of $5K, I'm starting my own "spare change" campaign between now and the Lake Tahoe ride.  Won't you join me?

TweetWe’ve had some powerful, gusting winds lately, a sign of spring in our mountains of Virginia.  We hope for calm riding conditions…but if it’s windy, we know it makes us stronger.  It’s time to bundle up, saddle up, and ride hard.  Paul Zamecnik, our Team Honoree and an avid cyclist, is doing just that.  He [...]

[caption id="attachment_576" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Go Team Tahoe!"][/caption] We've had some powerful, gusting winds lately, a sign of spring in our mountains of Virginia.  We hope for calm riding conditions...but if it's windy, we know it makes us stronger.  It's time to bundle up, saddle up, and ride hard.  Paul Zamecnik, our Team Honoree and an avid cyclist, is doing just that.  He has CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia...and he is half way through six treatments.  Paul is signed up to do a century ride in June, and he is pushing against the winds of illness to be well enough to ride.  I have never ridden a century ride for Team in Training that Paul was not there.  I am hoping for no less this year!  My goal of raising $5000 seems easy when I consider Paul's journey toward wellness.  Let us all have the wind beneath our wings as we head toward the goal.  Push the donate button and it will take you to my Team in Training fundraising page.  Your tax-deductible contributions are growing!

TweetIt’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.

TweetWho 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

 

 

 

TweetCome 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.