Happy Holidays!

Happy New Years All! I have upped my training over the last few months with Albany Crossfit. In the short 2+ months at ACF, I have seen some major improvements in my strength and endurance and have even PRed on a few 5Ks! I am excited to continue my cross training with ACF and to get started with the new cycling season...

Tahoe (100 miles on that tiny seat) here I come! I have officially signed up for my 3rd even with Team In Training, supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check back often to see updates to training and fundraising. We have a few exciting fundraising ideas still being kicked around, but it will be sure to get you thinking more about your health in the New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and SAFE start to the New Years!!!

Crossfit in December! LOTS OF FUN, as usual!

Inspiration

"Some people say its too early. Some people say its too cold. Some people say its too far. Some people say it takes too long. Some people say I could get hurt. But they don't know I learned a few secrets a long time ago that drive me to pursue my goals. If it hurts, it will only make you stronger. If it requires sacrifice, victory will be THAT much sweeter. And finally, nothing, and I mean NOTHING compares to reaching goals that others said were out of your reach..." ~Hopeful Ironman (woman) Finisher

For many of us, we hope to achieve something extraordinary. For me, I'm hoping just to cross that finish line...

Professional Photos from the Mooseman

Sorry it's taken so long to get these up here! Click HERE to view the professional photos from the Mooseman 70.3 Ironman 2010.

Weather conditions on the day of the event were horrible (wet & cold) so I (Beth) wasn't able to take many good pictures. Thankfully, we could rely on the professionals to do their job!

Mooseman 70.3 Triathlon.... check!

Hello All! This is Beth writing in for Tara. What a crazy and long weekend it's been but I couldn't be any prouder of my sister than I am today! Tara finished the Mooseman 70.3 Triathlon this afternoon sometime around 3:30pm, which brought her to complete the endurance event in under 8 hours. The fact that she was able to complete it at all, especially given the conditions of the course today (extremely cold and wet) is nothing short of amazing to me. Tara was in great spirits as she crossed the finish line and she looked terrific. I especially want to thank ALL of the members of Team In Training for their hard work and effort.

More photos and stories to come ....

Finally That Time!!! Off to the Mooseman 1/2 Ironman!!!

So training, whether I like it or not, has come to an end. And what an amazing journey!!! I have met so many wonderful people along the way and can't get over the generosity of the human heart. All of your support, love and encouragement has been HUGE!!! So Sunday will come, and I hope to have crossed the finish line w/out the need for IV fluids, haha, and before dinner! Please send some lucky vibes my way as I and so many others with Team & Training will TRI for a wonderful cause, to find a cure...


Thank you again! And come back for posts on the triathlon and upcoming news of future events I know I'm going to dive my feet into. Stay inspired and do great things!

~Tara :O)

Training in full swing... 1 week to go!

Hello Everyone! This is Beth, Tara's sister, writing in for Tara today. I just wanted to post a quick comment to let everyone that's following Tara know that she's doing a great job and I'm so proud of all of her hard work and training. I rarely get to see Tara these days as she's been training pretty hard core. The Mooseman Half Ironman is 1 week away and I think Tara is both excited and nervous. This weekend will mark her last full weekend of training before her triathlon event. My husband, Tim and I will be joining my parents on their trek next Saturday to NH so that we can be there to cheer Tara on during her journey and as she crosses the finish line. To my knowledge, Tara has raised nearly $3200 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Next weekend will, no doubt, be a memorable weekend for her and so many that will race with her. Look for pictures posted here and on her facebook fan page in the coming weeks!

First Sprint Tri Completed!!!

Had a lot of fun at the CD Y Tri today (minus the nerves)! This was a first for me and it was exciting to get one under my belt! Congrats to all the other athletes today. We all did a great job!

THANK YOU!

I just want to put out a HUGE THANK YOU to EVERYONE that has helped in the fundraising efforts this far!

I'm deeply touched by the outpouring of support and generosity of our family, friends, vendors, sponsors/businesses & the community. Together, we raised over $1600 toward my goal to help fight blood cancers! I consider the Spring Shopping Social & Plant sale a great success and it would not have been possible without all of the generosity of everyone involved. A special thanks goes to the volunteers that gave their time to help run the event.

For anyone that is interested, there was also a story published in Saturday's edition of the Troy Record: http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2010/04/24/news/doc4bd27e0be0a88721308689.txt

Check back soon for more updates on my fundraising, training & for pictures from this past Saturday's event!

Are you coming?

Okay... so now that I have your attention, here's a re-cap of all the fantastic activities we have planned for this Saturday!

Spring Shopping Social

Saturday, 4/24

Brunswick Community Center (12-4pm)

We have a lot of things planned to keep you busy (including FREE STUFF)! Proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

FREE Coffee(by Mocha Blend)/Refreshments

FREE Popcorn

FREE Balloons

FREE Face Painting

50/50 & Sponsor Raffle

Massage Opportunities

Everyone that attends has a chance to win a prize from vendors

(a new winner every 15-30 minutes!)

OLD FASHIONED "SODA JERK": Root Beer Floats & Ice Cream Sundaes for Sale!

PLANTS FOR SALE! (Duncan's Nursery & Vegetable Farm)

CASH FOR GOLD - Bring your gold to sell!

VENDORS: Arbonne, Cash for Gold, Chartreuse, Isagenix, Juice Plus, Just A Pair, Lia Sophia, Madison Handbags, Mary Kay, Miche Bags, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Troy Treasure Chest, Tupperware.

Plants for Sale: Price List

On 4/24 (12-4pm) at the Brunswick Community Center, there will be plants for sale provided by Duncan's Nursery & Vegetable Farm. Here is the info that I received from Kristi @ Duncan's last night:

"Here is a price list:
4" pots $2.49
10" pots or hanging baskets $19.99
12" pots or hanging baskets $24.99
1 gallon perennials $6.99

We'll have petunia, verbena, calibrachoa, osteoperium, coleus, phlox, viola . . . The list is too long and technical. We probably have 50-60 different types of flowers.
Our plants are unique.
I promise - they will be beautiful.... it will be worth coming to see our display on 4/24!!!"

So many activities planned ....

The Spring Shopping Social on Sat., 4/24 at the Brunswick Community Center (12-4pm) is less than 2 weeks away! We have a lot of things planned to keep you busy (including FREE STUFF)! Proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

FREE Coffee/Refreshments

FREE Popcorn

FREE Balloons

FREE Face Painting

50/50 & Sponsor Raffle

Massage Opportunities

Everyone that attends has a chance to win a prize from vendors

(a new winner every 15-30 minutes!)

OLD FASHIONED "SODA JERK": Root Beer Floats & Ice Cream Sundaes for Sale!

PLANTS FOR SALE! (Duncan's Nursery & Vegetable Farm)

CASH FOR GOLD - Bring your gold to sell!

VENDORS: Arbonne, Cash for Gold, Chartreuse, Isagenix, Juice Plus, Just A Pair, Lia Sophia, Madison Handbags, Mary Kay, Miche Bags, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Troy Treasure Chest, Tupperware.

SPRING SHOPPING SOCIAL @ Brunswick Community Center on 4/24/10 Raffle

Fundraiser event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (No admission cost)!

A donation of $5/ raffle ticket could win you:

- 50/50 CASH

- Overnight stay w/ breakfast at the Grille at the new Hilton Garden Inn of Troy

- Hoffman's Car Wash Certificates

- 3 month membership to Gold's Gym

- Gift Certificate for Massage

- 2 pack Certificates for Free Oil Change at Midas

- Wine Baskets courtesy of Wine Skill Deep Discount Wine & Spirits

- Spirits Baskets courtesy of Wine Skill Deep Discount Wine & Spirits

- Scrapbooking Basket courtesy of Close to My Heart

- 1 year AAA Membership courtesy of AAA of Hudson Valley

- $25 Papa John's Pizza gift card

- Certificate for free rental of Concessions (Snocone or Popcorn machine) from Giuliano's Premier Party Rentals & Supplies

Don't forget! Everyone that attends will have a FREE chance to win one of our vendor giveaways!

Plants for Sale @ Fundraiser Event!

READY FOR SPRING?!? Spring plants from Duncan's Nursery & Vegetable Farm will be for sale at the fundraising event at the Brunswick Community Center on April 24th, 12 - 4pm!

New Raffle Items!!!

Wine Skill Deep Discount Wine & Spirits of Wynantskill, NY has very generously donated several bottles of wine & spirits to include in our raffle! This sponsor raffle will have a little bit of something for everyone so please, buy a ticket!!!!

Fundraiser Raffle

We've been working hard at getting donations from corporate sponsors for the Spring Shopping Social on April 24th from 12-4pm at the Brunswick Community Center.

Mocha Blend Cafe & Stewarts Shops are generously providing coffee & creamer for all those that attend the event (while supplies last, of course!). We'll be giving away balloons to the kids and we're working on several other family friendly "freebies" (like face painting) as well! There will also be opportunities for chair massage!

The list of items to be raffled off so far includes:

- Overnight stay w/ breakfast at the Grille at the new Hilton Garden Inn of Troy

- Hoffman's exterior car wash certificates

- 3 month membership to Gold's Gym

- Gift Certificate for Massage

- 2 pack Certificates for Free Oil Change at Midas

Check back often as this list continues to grow!

A list of the participating vendors will be posted soon as well.

Good Ride!

Got out on the roads on this beautiful warm and sunny almost Spring day! Thanks Robert for your help and encouragement! I think it turned out to be a good amateur ride and hopefully more great rides to come...

Location & Date Announcement!!!

YEY!!! I am so excited to announce that I've secured a date and location for my fundraiser. Come do a little shopping and socializing at my Spring Shopping Social to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of the training for my half Triathlon in June 2010!

SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Brunswick Community Center

(Keyes Lane, Brunswick, NY)

My Blog is Established!

Welcome everyone! This is the first of, what I hope to be, a very successful blog which will highlight my trials and tribulations as I journey through my training process in preparation for my half triathlon in June 2010.

Check back often for updates!

Here's a photo from my last 5k to get you started! I'm the cutie on the left with the festive scarf!