I'm SO excited to blog tonight, because my "ROCKSTAR" tributes/thank-yous are my very favorite blogs to write - and I've got 11 new ones to add that have pushed me over the $1500 mark!... So, just like Round 1 and Round 2, the rules are the same: For each donor mentioned, I'm including the state they sent me their donation from, and how long I've known them. These are listed in alphabetical order by first name - based on the newest donations posted to my TNT website as of today:
David B (California): I've known David since 1996 - he was actually my boss at my first "post-college" job. Though I only worked for him and with him for less than 2 years, we became very close friends in the years that followed. We traveled together via train all over Europe for 16 days, took our first trips to Australia together, and have countless other amazing vacation escapades to remember! Even though I moved far away, and our lives are crazy-busy most of the time, he is still my dearest friend and someone who I know will always be there for me. :-)
Debra C (North Carolina): Debbie and I met in 1983, when we were both 4th graders (!) in Orange, California. We were in the same class at school and in Girl Scouts together. Debbie's family moved to Michigan when we were in the 7th grade, but we stayed in touch through the years. Post-college, she moved to North Carolina, and when I ended up in Georgia in 2000, we found ourselves a mere 5-hour drive apart! Although not nearly often enough, we do manage to get in some long weekend visits to catch up and hang out.
Diane L (California): Diane is a dear friend of my family who I have known my whole life. She is still one of my Mom's closest friends, and was like family to me when I was growing up.
Emelda C (California): Emelda is a neighbor of my parents. In all honesty, I have not personally met her, but during a conversation where my Mom was talking about my triathlon and my raising money for LLS, Emelda gave her a donation to pass along to me! How cool is that!
Heather W (Idaho): Heather was a classmate and neighbor of mine who I met in junior high circa 1987-88. We played high school softball and rode the bus or walked to/from school together. Heather now lives in Idaho and has five (yes, 5!) little kiddos! She lost a good friend to lymphoma a couple of years ago, and is keenly aware of what this devastating disease can do.
Jody, Lori, and Will Hamilton (Georgia): Jody and Lori are neighbors and friends of ours who we met when we moved into our house in 2002. Their son Will came along a few years later... Jody lost his father to brain cancer two years ago, and he and his family are big supporters of cancer research programs such as SBTF. We actually participated in a fundraising 5K with his family last year to help raise money for another great cause!
Joyce B (Ohio): Joyce is the mother of David B (mentioned above)! Joyce is the sweetest lady - she sends me a birthday card and Christmas card every year with a lovely handwritten letter. Believe it or not, we have never actually met in person.
Lindsay D (South Carolina): Lindsay is an ex-co worker of mine who I met in 2000 when I moved to Georgia. She moved to "South Cackalacky" ;-) in 2002, but we have remained good friends with her and her husband Sean. They are our super fun friends with the house on the lake (when the lake has water!), and we look forward to summer fun - boats, boat drinks, and sunshine!
Marilyn T (California): Marilyn lives across the street from my parents. I "think" she is an original homeowner in their neighborhood, from when we moved there in 1987. Marilyn's donation also came as a result of a conversation with my Mom. (Thanks, Mom for all the PR and bragging!)
Rebecca A (Georgia): Becky and Doug are also neighbors and good friends of ours who we met in 2003. They have an uber-cool little boy who we've enjoyed watching grow up so fast! Even though they live a mere 10 houses away from us, we don't get to hang our nearly enough, especially in the winter. Becky is also deeply connected to this cause, as she lost her grandmother to leukemia.
Verna F (California): Verna is the mother of my friend Melody M, who I thanked in Round 1 of ROCKSTARS a couple of weeks ago. I suppose I met Verna circa 1988 as well and saw her last at Melody's wedding in 1993. Her father (Melody's grandfather) passed away from lymphoma in 2001.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! You are truly my heroes - you are keeping me motivated because you believe in me, and I am humbled by your generous outpouring of support.
4.08.2009
4.06.2009
Stepping It Up In April
April looks to be a VERY BUSY month for Team in Training! Actually, it will all be very busy from now until event weekend. Our workouts are becoming more intense and our schedule is really crammed with group swims, bike rides, bricks (ride and run combos), "practice competitions" (more on that later), track clinics, transition clinics, tire changing clinics, etc., etc., etc... Our end of month goals are close to double what they were last month in terms of endurance. Let me catch you up on the past 9 days of training:
Sunday: made it to the gym in the late afternoon for a "gym brick": stationary bike ride for 30 minutes followed by a 1 mile run on the treadmill
Monday: 5:15 am boot camp
Tuesday: was in Charlotte for business, so had to settle for a 2 mile run on the hotel gym treadmill
Wednesday: TEAM swim; focusing more on continuous swim, with less breaks in between laps (after all, there will be no pool wall to hang onto during the race day swim in open water!)
Thursday: 5:15 am boot camp
Friday: 5:15 am boot camp; mile run in 8:57
Saturday: 32-mile bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail. Mostly flat trail, with one decent hill and a few small inclines along the way
Sunday: TEAM brick at Stone Mountain (at 7:30am, no less). That 5 mile loop around the mountain was HILLY! After the 32 miles on Saturday, my legs were shot, so I did 10 miles and then ran for 10 minutes. The only silver lining of a 7:30am Sunday morning workout was that I was back home, showered, and taking a nap by 11:00am :-)
Today: Workout #1 - 5:15 am boot camp. Workout #2 - TEAM swim (moved to Monday night for this week). We swam with the Spring Tri team (their event is in less than 3 weeks!) The pool was open for 50m lanes, rather than the 25m lanes we are used to. This required more endurance, but was actually a lot of fun!
(You'll notice that I haven't had a rest day in 13 days, but I also only had one day last week with a double workout, so I don't think I'm overdoing it). I will take my rest day this Thursday, and get back on the type of schedule I was doing last month, only with more intense workouts each time.
Speaking of rest....zzzzzzzzz!
Sunday: made it to the gym in the late afternoon for a "gym brick": stationary bike ride for 30 minutes followed by a 1 mile run on the treadmill
Monday: 5:15 am boot camp
Tuesday: was in Charlotte for business, so had to settle for a 2 mile run on the hotel gym treadmill
Wednesday: TEAM swim; focusing more on continuous swim, with less breaks in between laps (after all, there will be no pool wall to hang onto during the race day swim in open water!)
Thursday: 5:15 am boot camp
Friday: 5:15 am boot camp; mile run in 8:57
Saturday: 32-mile bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail. Mostly flat trail, with one decent hill and a few small inclines along the way
Sunday: TEAM brick at Stone Mountain (at 7:30am, no less). That 5 mile loop around the mountain was HILLY! After the 32 miles on Saturday, my legs were shot, so I did 10 miles and then ran for 10 minutes. The only silver lining of a 7:30am Sunday morning workout was that I was back home, showered, and taking a nap by 11:00am :-)
Today: Workout #1 - 5:15 am boot camp. Workout #2 - TEAM swim (moved to Monday night for this week). We swam with the Spring Tri team (their event is in less than 3 weeks!) The pool was open for 50m lanes, rather than the 25m lanes we are used to. This required more endurance, but was actually a lot of fun!
(You'll notice that I haven't had a rest day in 13 days, but I also only had one day last week with a double workout, so I don't think I'm overdoing it). I will take my rest day this Thursday, and get back on the type of schedule I was doing last month, only with more intense workouts each time.
Speaking of rest....zzzzzzzzz!
4.02.2009
Fundraising in Full Swing!
I'm getting very close to my "Recommitment Date" for Iron Girl! Remember when I originally sent out my emails and letters and said that I had committed to raise $3400 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by some date in April??? It seemed like a long way away at the time - but APRIL IS HERE!
Now, don't get me wrong...I CAN (and gladly WILL) still take donations all the way up until my event date... you did not miss your window! But, by signing my recommitment paperwork (on April 15th), I am committing to raise my minimum event amount - even if that means I donate the remainder myself. That's how much I care about and believe in what I am doing!
Between now and event day, my TEAM and I are busy working on various fundraisers to supplement the awesome donations we receive from our family, friends, and colleagues. We are approaching businesses for items to donate for a raffle and/or silent auction. We are approaching restaurants/bars to ask them to host happy hours or other events and donate a portion of their proceeds. We are approaching "home party" types of businesses to ask about having a portion of sales donated to LLS. Here are two "fundraisers" that I have going on right now:
Now, don't get me wrong...I CAN (and gladly WILL) still take donations all the way up until my event date... you did not miss your window! But, by signing my recommitment paperwork (on April 15th), I am committing to raise my minimum event amount - even if that means I donate the remainder myself. That's how much I care about and believe in what I am doing!
Between now and event day, my TEAM and I are busy working on various fundraisers to supplement the awesome donations we receive from our family, friends, and colleagues. We are approaching businesses for items to donate for a raffle and/or silent auction. We are approaching restaurants/bars to ask them to host happy hours or other events and donate a portion of their proceeds. We are approaching "home party" types of businesses to ask about having a portion of sales donated to LLS. Here are two "fundraisers" that I have going on right now:
- Have you heard of Cookie Lee jewelry? The have really fun, stylish, affordable jewelry that is fun to wear and makes a great gift (Mother's Day is coming up!) Think beads, crystals, shells, etc... really great stuff for Spring/Summer outfits! I often get asked about the pieces I wear, so I approached the local consultant, and she agreed to let me host an internet/catalog "party" and she is going to donate 20% of all sales to my fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)! How great is that??!!
You can look at the catalog online HERE . You can flip pages, zoom, etc.... If you are interested in getting your hands on an actual catalog, let me know and I can get one to you! I also have some sample pieces of their jewelry line, so if you're interested in seeing those (and you are local to me), just let me know!
How the "party" works:
If you (or someone you know) would like to place and order, please email me the following:
-Name
-Address (for jewelry delivery)
-Phone Number
-Email address
-Page Number / Item # / Description / Price of each item desired
I will write up your order, add 6% sales tax and $1.50 flat rate shipping for the total order (regardless of # of pieces ordered). I will email you back an order form for your records. We can then arrange payment (cash, check, or credit card), and I will turn in your order. The jewelry will be shipped directly to you. I will take orders up until Friday, April 17th, but will turn in the orders weekly as I get them so that you will get your items quicker! I'm going to turn in the first set of orders this Sunday.
Please feel free to pass this along and share with your friends, family, and co-workers who might be interested in purchasing Cookie Lee jewelry.
- The Summer Tri Team is hosting a Happy Hour at Park Tavern (in Atlanta) on Tuesday, April 21st from 7 - 9 pm. For the purchase of a $20 wristband at the door, you will get access to an unlimited beer and wine bar. Please mention my name when you purchase your wristband, and $10 from each purchase will go directly to my fundraising campaign for LLS - and will REALLY help me meet my goal! Besides, $20 for unlimited happy hour and a good time on a Tuesday night? Can't go wrong!
I'm "TRI"-ing to save lives! Want to help?
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/IronGirl09/alisejackson
3.29.2009
Training Update
I realized that I haven't updated my training log in over a week! I had to do quite a bit of rearranging and such this week, due to my schedule and the weather (rain, rain go away..). But, I managed to get it done. Not to mention, switching it up a bit is good for your body...keeps it guessing! So, going back to last Friday (the 20th):
Friday: 5:15am boot camp at the park. Mile run in 9:12. Timed push up and sit up test (can't remember my exact #s now). Circuit training and ab work.
Saturday: 20 mile bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail. This was our first time riding here, and definitely will not be our last! So beautiful - and on such a beautiful spring day! This trail actually meets up with another and is a total of over 100 miles one way - going all the way to Anniston, Alabama. This time, we started at the trailhead in Smyrna....did the 10 miles out to Powder Springs and back. The great part about this trail is that there are places to park and pick it up at several points along the way. Next time, we'll start at a different point for new scenery.
While not a "workout," it is Team in Training-related, so I will mention it. On Saturday night, we attended a fundraiser put on by the Georgia Chapter's Spring Tri Team at Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead. My friend (and boot camp coach) Maria is on the Spring team, competing in the St. Anthony's Tri in just 4 weeks! There was a great turnout on a gorgeous night! Hors d'oeuvres, drinks, silent auction, raffles, and good fun. I think the team raised over $8000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that night!
Sunday: Another beautiful weather day - and with rain in the forecast, I wanted to take advantage of it while I could...(despite the fact that I had chores and errands galore to take care of!) Did a 2.5 mile run at Sims Lake Park in 26:31.
Monday: Workout #1 - 5:15am boot camp! Workout #2 - 1 hour swim after work. I'm no longer doing drills at all, and am working on perfecting my form and building my endurance for continuous swim.
Tuesday: my rest day for the week.
Wednesday: TEAM swim after work. This week marked our first "benchmark swim." We all (40+ of us) started in one lane of the pool, and swam (up one lane, down the next) continuously for a timed 10 minutes. We will do this again every couple of weeks to measure our endurance progress. My first benchmark? 325 yards in 10 minutes. After that, we tackled the "pyramid drill" (see below for explanation.)
Thursday: 5:15am boot camp.
Friday: 5:15am boot camp.
Saturday: Plans changed several times for Saturday's workout. TEAM workout was supposed to be a brick (ride, then run) at Stone Mountain. But, I had already committed to run a 5K for the Fallen Heroes of Georgia. Then, the weather forecast was looking even nastier, so TEAM rescheduled the Stone Mountain brick and changed the workout to an indoor spin class (which I was happy about, because I really didn't want to miss the ride at Stone Mountain). Woke up Saturday morning to really bad weather, and decided to donate the money to Fallen Heroes of Georgia charity, and swim at the gym instead! Swam for over an hour, and did the "pyramid drill," where you swim laps, increasing the yards each time up to the "top" of the pyramid, and then back down. You take a 30-60 second break in between each set. So, I did: 50-100-150-200-150-100-50. Felt great afterwards - hungry and ready for nap ;-)
That brings us to today... was hoping for a run outside, but it looks pretty cold and windy. Since I haven't been on my bike in over a week, I'm thinking maybe a bike and run at the gym this afternoon...we'll see if it warms up, because I'd MUCH rather be outside!
I'm "TRI"-ing to save lives...want to help?
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/IronGirl09/alisejackson
Friday: 5:15am boot camp at the park. Mile run in 9:12. Timed push up and sit up test (can't remember my exact #s now). Circuit training and ab work.
Saturday: 20 mile bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail. This was our first time riding here, and definitely will not be our last! So beautiful - and on such a beautiful spring day! This trail actually meets up with another and is a total of over 100 miles one way - going all the way to Anniston, Alabama. This time, we started at the trailhead in Smyrna....did the 10 miles out to Powder Springs and back. The great part about this trail is that there are places to park and pick it up at several points along the way. Next time, we'll start at a different point for new scenery.
While not a "workout," it is Team in Training-related, so I will mention it. On Saturday night, we attended a fundraiser put on by the Georgia Chapter's Spring Tri Team at Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead. My friend (and boot camp coach) Maria is on the Spring team, competing in the St. Anthony's Tri in just 4 weeks! There was a great turnout on a gorgeous night! Hors d'oeuvres, drinks, silent auction, raffles, and good fun. I think the team raised over $8000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that night!
Sunday: Another beautiful weather day - and with rain in the forecast, I wanted to take advantage of it while I could...(despite the fact that I had chores and errands galore to take care of!) Did a 2.5 mile run at Sims Lake Park in 26:31.
Monday: Workout #1 - 5:15am boot camp! Workout #2 - 1 hour swim after work. I'm no longer doing drills at all, and am working on perfecting my form and building my endurance for continuous swim.
Tuesday: my rest day for the week.
Wednesday: TEAM swim after work. This week marked our first "benchmark swim." We all (40+ of us) started in one lane of the pool, and swam (up one lane, down the next) continuously for a timed 10 minutes. We will do this again every couple of weeks to measure our endurance progress. My first benchmark? 325 yards in 10 minutes. After that, we tackled the "pyramid drill" (see below for explanation.)
Thursday: 5:15am boot camp.
Friday: 5:15am boot camp.
Saturday: Plans changed several times for Saturday's workout. TEAM workout was supposed to be a brick (ride, then run) at Stone Mountain. But, I had already committed to run a 5K for the Fallen Heroes of Georgia. Then, the weather forecast was looking even nastier, so TEAM rescheduled the Stone Mountain brick and changed the workout to an indoor spin class (which I was happy about, because I really didn't want to miss the ride at Stone Mountain). Woke up Saturday morning to really bad weather, and decided to donate the money to Fallen Heroes of Georgia charity, and swim at the gym instead! Swam for over an hour, and did the "pyramid drill," where you swim laps, increasing the yards each time up to the "top" of the pyramid, and then back down. You take a 30-60 second break in between each set. So, I did: 50-100-150-200-150-100-50. Felt great afterwards - hungry and ready for nap ;-)
That brings us to today... was hoping for a run outside, but it looks pretty cold and windy. Since I haven't been on my bike in over a week, I'm thinking maybe a bike and run at the gym this afternoon...we'll see if it warms up, because I'd MUCH rather be outside!
I'm "TRI"-ing to save lives...want to help?
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/IronGirl09/alisejackson
3.27.2009
FAQ's, Part 2
Yesterday, I was reminded that I forgot to answer one of the most important FAQ's that I've received...
"I really wish I could donate more - what else can I do to help support your cause?" First, let me just say that any/all support I have received is appreciated so much! I couldn't ask for a better group of family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances! But, since you asked... here are some ways that you can continue to contribute in a non-cash way:
"I really wish I could donate more - what else can I do to help support your cause?" First, let me just say that any/all support I have received is appreciated so much! I couldn't ask for a better group of family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances! But, since you asked... here are some ways that you can continue to contribute in a non-cash way:
- Word of mouth always makes the biggest impact... tell at least 1 person a day about what I'm doing for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I could never have imagined how many people I would encounter who have personal experience with blood cancers.
- Do you blog? Ideas dried up? Blog about what I'm doing and link up to my blog and/or fundraising site.
- Do you Facebook, MySpace, etc? Post a quick note and link to my site(s) on your page(s).
- Copy the newsletter I sent you and pass it on to someone you think might want to read it.
- Forward my "Alise is "TRI"-ing to Find A Cure!" email to anyone who you think might be interested.
- Do you work somewhere that can donate something (a gift card, service, etc.) that I can include in a raffle or a silent auction at an upcoming event?
- Have a special talent? Bake cupcakes to sell at work for a donation.
Thank you all for your support!
I'm "TRI"-ing to save lives...want to help?
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/IronGirl09/alisejackson
3.24.2009
FAQ's
Some of the questions I've fielded over the past week or so as the topic of my upcoming triathlon has come up in conversation:
"What exactly is a triathlon?" A triathlon is an athletic endurance event consisting of three disciplines: swimming, biking, and running. The three disciplines are completed back-to-back-to-back to comprise a single event. My event is considered a Sprint distance, which equals a 1/3 mile open water swim, an 18 mile bike ride, and a 3.1 mile run.
"Can you post some pictures of you training?" Maybe you don't really believe I am doing all of this? Above is a picture of me during my 20 mile ride on the Silver Comet Trail this past Saturday. I'll try to do better and remember to get more photo ops of my training. But I can't promise that they'll be pretty to look at! ;-)
"What's your favorite sport of the 3 so far?" Lucky for me, I really enjoy all 3 - just differently. Swimming has been exhilarating, because I've learned so much and improved so much in such a short time...it truly has opened up a "whole new world" of working out for me. And, as an added benefit, I sleep like a rock after I swim! Biking, well - I've always loved riding my bike, whether it be mountain biking and now road biking. I just love the distance you can travel on a bike, and all the scenery you can take in during a ride. Finally, running... I do really enjoy running once I get going. The first 1/2 mile or so is always tough for me, but once I get past that point, I relax. I either get into my music, or a conversation with my running mates, or sometimes just my own thoughts. I always feel amazing after a good run.
"Why are you doing this?" What began as somewhat of a personal challenge has become much bigger. I am doing this to challenge myself to make a difference in the lives of others. Everyone has the opportunity to give back to society in countless ways. Today, this is my way.
I'm "TRI"-ing to save lives... want to help? http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/IronGirl09/alisejackson
3.22.2009
ROCKSTARS...Round 2
OK, so just like last time around, I want to share with you who the amazing folks are who have now brought my donations up past the $1000 mark! I'm also including the state they sent me their donation from, and how long I've known them. These are listed in alphabetical order by first name - based on the newest donations posted to my TNT website as of today:
Denese A (California): Denese and Lars have been friends of my family since I'd guess 1985. Their daughter and my sister went to preschool together, and were eventual college roommates. I used to babysit for all 4 of their kids. And 2 of their sons now play in a band with my brother.
Heather S (Georgia): Another one of my fellow "boot campers" who's working out at the park with me at 5:15 am! I've known Heather for about a year, and she is the sweetest girl and so fun to hang out with. Can't wait for us all to go to Florida together in a few weeks!
James B (California): My Dad, whom I've known since my birth ;-). I have the best Dad in the world! I'm so proud of him for how much he's been working out these past several years; he could totally train for a tri (or at least a 5K run)...I AM going to get him to do some event with me, he just doesn't know it yet. I love you, Dad. (If you're wondering why I'm not giving credit to both my Mom & Dad for this donation, it's because my Mom has made it abundantly clear to me that this was my Dad's donation, and that she is going to make "her own." OK. 10-4, Mom.) ;-) Yeah, my parents rock!
Victoria B (California): My Aunt Vicki, whom I've also known since my birth. She is my Mom's sister, and the 3rd-born daughter of my grandmother Vera (my personal honored hero for this journey). Aunt Vicki also lost her husband (Uncle Bob) to cancer 9 years ago, so she has seen more than her fair share of devastation from the disease. She is so sweet and selfless, and life has blessed her with a family that she adores. I love watching her and my Mom together - they are the best of friends.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!! It means the world to me and I couldn't do any of this without you!
XOXO!
Denese A (California): Denese and Lars have been friends of my family since I'd guess 1985. Their daughter and my sister went to preschool together, and were eventual college roommates. I used to babysit for all 4 of their kids. And 2 of their sons now play in a band with my brother.
Heather S (Georgia): Another one of my fellow "boot campers" who's working out at the park with me at 5:15 am! I've known Heather for about a year, and she is the sweetest girl and so fun to hang out with. Can't wait for us all to go to Florida together in a few weeks!
James B (California): My Dad, whom I've known since my birth ;-). I have the best Dad in the world! I'm so proud of him for how much he's been working out these past several years; he could totally train for a tri (or at least a 5K run)...I AM going to get him to do some event with me, he just doesn't know it yet. I love you, Dad. (If you're wondering why I'm not giving credit to both my Mom & Dad for this donation, it's because my Mom has made it abundantly clear to me that this was my Dad's donation, and that she is going to make "her own." OK. 10-4, Mom.) ;-) Yeah, my parents rock!
Victoria B (California): My Aunt Vicki, whom I've also known since my birth. She is my Mom's sister, and the 3rd-born daughter of my grandmother Vera (my personal honored hero for this journey). Aunt Vicki also lost her husband (Uncle Bob) to cancer 9 years ago, so she has seen more than her fair share of devastation from the disease. She is so sweet and selfless, and life has blessed her with a family that she adores. I love watching her and my Mom together - they are the best of friends.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!! It means the world to me and I couldn't do any of this without you!
XOXO!
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