Who's Awesome?

Taking a page out of Time Magazine's Person of the Year, I'll have to say the answer to that is YOU! You guys are awesome. I have been pleasantly surprised at the way many of you have opened your hearts (and your wallets) to express your support for me and the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. I just started my fundraising for the triathlon this week and already am close to being a third of the way towards my personal goal. So all I can say is thank you all very much. Both to the people who have donated and to the others who have expressed their support for me in other ways. I am working hard and won't let you down. It looks like I won't have to auction off personal services or offer to get a tattoo for a donation. :)

The training is going well this week. We had a five mile run on Tuesday night and swim practice tonight. While I still feel like I am working way too hard and sinking too much, swimming is feeling a little better. I am thinking about joining in on the NYRR Scotland run 10km on Sunday. It will be the first 10km race I have run in a while, but I am feeling good. While there will be bagpipes and drums, I don't think they will have any haggis on hand. As for the kilts, I'm not planning on wearing one, well maybe if I get a large enough donation. But we are talking really big. ;)

Spring is here!!! - Yea Spring

As much as I enjoyed the stimulation of a nice run in the park at 8am and 22 degrees, it's good to have some warmer weather finally. Thankfully my under armour cold gear did a great job of keeping me warm on those runs. It worked great for my ice broomball games at the rink in prospect park. Especially since those were outdoor games in January and February. If any one's looking for some winter fun ( as well as summer/spring/fall), check out the New York City Social Sports Club.

The weather has finally been warming up this week and with temperatures in the 40s and 50s has been feeling almost balmy. While it would be nice to live in a place like Southern California where the weather is sunny and nice pretty much year round, the change in seasons does have its benefits as well. On a side note, what are the requirements for being a weatherman in California, other figuring out fifty ways to say, today will be warm and sunny, or today will be warm and sunny with some morning haze. Doesn't seem like a tough job, probably a good tan and teeth are higher up on the job requirements than a meteorology degree.


Back to the weather here in NYC, committing oneself to showing up for the group training sessions and personal workouts is tough, but when the temperature is in the twenties, it makes it that much tougher. But hearing some of the stories from the honored teammates as well as some of the the mission moments, you realize that there are worse things in life than a four or five mile run in the bitter cold. Of course I know some people who would say that a run in any temperature is bad enough.

The honored teammates are cancer survivors who are part of team in training and are may be currently training or have completed events in the past. The struggles they have endured with chemotherapy and battling what can be a fatal disease that may return even after successful treatment gives one an appreciation and thanks for how insignificant some of our major problems really are. Going out for a run in the cold doesn't seem so bad any more.

Plus, having that last ice storm really makes the spring and the warm weather that much more special. Even the chill in the air of fall feels so much more refreshing after a summer of travels in the subway.

NYC Triathlon Course

So the other day we had an orientation over at Riverside park where the triathlon will begin as well as the transition areas for swim to bike and bike to run. Here is a map of the full course.

The swim starts about 100th St. in Riverside park and ends at 81st Street. Apparently its a fast current so that will help out with the swim leg. The the swim to bike transition goes along the hudson river up and back to Riverside park for the second transition area for bike t run. The run leaves the park at 72nd street and goes to Central Park about a mile away and then the final 5 mile or so loop in the park.

I'm getting tired just writing this.

The Deal with Matching Gifts

What are Matching Gifts?

Many corporations and businesses offer a matching gift program, in which they agree to match the financial gift of a contributor to a nonprofit organization. The amount of the match, payment schedule, employee eligibility, and requirements may vary from company to company.

How do I know if my company offers a matching gift program?

Please contact your employer to find out if your company offers a matching gift program and if The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is an eligible recipient. Then, obtain a copy of your companies matching gift form.

How do I submit the matching gift form?

If you are sending a donation by mail: Complete the matching gift form and mail both your donation and the form to the address below.

If you are submiting a donation online: Print a copy of your donation receipt to a completed matching gift form and mail it to the address below.

Matching Gift Coordinator
NYC Team in Training
475 Park Avenue South
8th Floor
New York, NY 10016

You MUST include "Herb Zoota" and "Wildflower Triathlon" on all matching gifts submitted.

What if my company does not have a matching gift program?

Many small companies do not have official matching gift programs. However, when approached, many companies are willing to match contributions to charities by their employees. Please check with your employer to see if they would be willing to match your contribution, even if they do not have an official program.