I did it! I signed up for IRONMAN Louisville! I will be supporting Tatum's Bags of Fun, helping children with cancer along my journey. Please support my cause and click on the link on my blog. It is my goal to raise enough funds to purchase 10 Bags of Fun for pediatric cancer patients! Please check out Tatum's website also listed on my blog to read her amazing story and what she is doing with pediatric cancer! She is a true warrior!
Here is a little bit about me...
I have always enjoyed a challenge and physical activity. I grew up a river rat, swimming in the Ohio River. My love for running began back in high school. I ran my 1st half marathon in the spring of 2002, the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon with basically no training. I enjoyed it but life just kind of got in the way of my love for competing. In 2010 I decided it was time to get back to what I love and I ran the Kentucky Derby Mini-Marathon. I was not happy with my time, so I bought an entry into the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon the following Saturday! For me, two mini-marathons in 7 days was a little crazy, but I succeeded! In 2011 I set a goal to become an IRONMAN....it didn't happen, but I didn't give up. In 2012 I was able to run a marathon and completed two sprint triathlons and I am hooked! I will become an IRONMAN this year!
Now, the reason I've partnered with such a great organization to help inspire me along this journey is both of my children, Evan and Anniston.
Evan is almost 3 years old and is 110% all boy!! A few short weeks after his birth he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and would need to see a neuro surgeon at Riley Children's Hospital. We walked in to the hospital and reality hit seeing every parents worst nightmare, sick children. What any parent wouldn't do to trade places with their child. After a year of monitoring we were released with news that Evan is healthy and happy!
Anniston was born this past September. As we are packing our things to leave the hospital and head home as a family of four we learned that she has three ventricular septal defects. She is currently seeing a cardiologist at Riley. Reports are looking and showing these holes are healing on their own. With 2 Riley babies in our house and positive outcomes unfolding before us, we are truly counting our blessings.
What Tatum's Bags of Fun provides to children with cancer is hope and tangible items to help get them through the long, tough, mental and physicall chemo and radiation treatments. I will push myself mentally and physically to becoming an IRONMAN while swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running 26.2 miles in their honor by raising funds to provide them with "Bags of Fun" so they can Be Strong and Stay Strong as they win the fight against cancer!
With the support of my wife Nickole, my two children Evan & Anniston, family and friends, I WILL BECOME AN IRONMAN! Please encourage me along my journey...with a donation and a few words of encouragement, it will help me become an IRONMAN in 2013 while helping kids with cancer!
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
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