Help sponsor my Triathlon"-a-thon" for Leukemia & Lymphoma! - Triathlon Week

12-02-2004, 08:25 AM

I'm sure many of you know about Team in Training. It's a triathlon training
and fundraising project raising money for research to end leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkins lymphoma and myeloma.

It's kind of like a "walk-a-thon", only I'll be swimming 0.9 mile, *then*
biking 25 miles, *then* running 6.2 miles. Two years ago, I was too out of
shape to climb a flight of stairs. A year ago I was still having a cigarette
for breakfast every morning. It's gonna be an adventure...

This is a very personal issue for me- my grandmother died of lymphoma in
1997 and my father is a survivor of cancer of the palate. The chemo left him
in such a weakened state that he can no longer work (he was a manual
laborer). He also has difficulty eating solid foods... But this is a battle
we *can* win- last night at the kickoff we heard from a number of survivors
who are alive and healthy today thanks to techniques that weren't available
only a few years ago.

I'm excited to begin training for my first triathlon (St. Anthony's), and
honored to have found a way to help others in the process... but I need your
help. I'm committed to raising at least $4200- Ideally, I'd like to double
that.

Folks who contribute anything (even a penny) will gain access to my online
training diary including fitness tracking, musings on my newfound
athleticism, and probably some general observations on life. I've been told
I'm a fairly articulate and engaging writer, you can gauge that for
yourself.

Please visit the link below to support my effort, and please pass it on to
your friends.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Thanks very much for your consideration,

-BEN

12-02-2004, 05:28 PM

jesus christ, you have to raise $4200 bucks just for an international
distance triathlon?? Not to knock team in training, but man what a fund
raising scheme they've latched on to!

FYI, a foot and ankle doctor I went to a few years ago LOVES TeamNTraining;
he gets lots of business from TNT convincing all those out of shape people
they can walk/run a marathon.....

"BEN" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1uGrd.1216$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthli nk.net...
> I'm sure many of you know about Team in Training. It's a triathlon
> training
> and fundraising project raising money for research to end leukemia,
> lymphoma, Hodgkins lymphoma and myeloma.
>
> It's kind of like a "walk-a-thon", only I'll be swimming 0.9 mile, *then*
> biking 25 miles, *then* running 6.2 miles. Two years ago, I was too out of
> shape to climb a flight of stairs. A year ago I was still having a
> cigarette
> for breakfast every morning. It's gonna be an adventure...
>
> This is a very personal issue for me- my grandmother died of lymphoma in
> 1997 and my father is a survivor of cancer of the palate. The chemo left
> him
> in such a weakened state that he can no longer work (he was a manual
> laborer). He also has difficulty eating solid foods... But this is a
> battle
> we *can* win- last night at the kickoff we heard from a number of
> survivors
> who are alive and healthy today thanks to techniques that weren't
> available
> only a few years ago.
>
> I'm excited to begin training for my first triathlon (St. Anthony's), and
> honored to have found a way to help others in the process... but I need
> your
> help. I'm committed to raising at least $4200- Ideally, I'd like to double
> that.
>
> Folks who contribute anything (even a penny) will gain access to my online
> training diary including fitness tracking, musings on my newfound
> athleticism, and probably some general observations on life. I've been
> told
> I'm a fairly articulate and engaging writer, you can gauge that for
> yourself.
>
> Please visit the link below to support my effort, and please pass it on to
> your friends.
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Thanks very much for your consideration,
>
> -BEN
>
>

12-02-2004, 07:07 PM

In article <FqOrd.26013$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com>,
"George Ball" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> jesus christ, you have to raise $4200 bucks just for an international
> distance triathlon?? Not to knock team in training, but man what a fund
> raising scheme they've latched on to!

Well, IIRC, you do get a free trip to someplace nice out of the deal. If
it were $4200 do do the downtown Detroit triathlon or something, I don't
think people would be willing to raise that much.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

12-03-2004, 08:27 AM

> > jesus christ, you have to raise $4200 bucks just for an international
> > distance triathlon??

You are offered the opportunity to raise $4200 for cancer research. That's
why you do it. The triathlon is a symbolic action- I will be racing with
cancer survivors and in honor of those athletes & friends who were unable to
participate due to these diseases. That's why I framed it as a
"walk-a-thon." Walking a couple of miles is very different than walking a
couple of miles to fight cancer.

> > Not to knock team in training, but man what a fund
> > raising scheme they've latched on to!

It's not like they're selling sneakers, dude. The Leukemia & Lymphoma funds
medical research & provides money to cancer victims who need it. They need
my help. And yours. And all the rest they can get.

If you'd like to make a donation but don't want to support my personal
drive, feel free to visit [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

Harold wrote:

> If
> it were $4200 do do the downtown Detroit triathlon or something, I don't
> think people would be willing to raise that much.

Depends on the person. I've been training on my own for two months, and
have another four to go. Either way, I'll be a triathlete by April, I'm
just glad to have found a way to help others while doing it... if it were
just about the trip, there are far easier ways to get to Florida.

-BEN

12-03-2004, 08:41 AM

In article <3C%rd.2524$Va5.116@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.n et>,
"BEN" <noreply@please.thanks.cx> wrote:

> Harold wrote:
>
> > If
> > it were $4200 do do the downtown Detroit triathlon or something, I don't
> > think people would be willing to raise that much.
>
> Depends on the person. I've been training on my own for two months, and
> have another four to go. Either way, I'll be a triathlete by April, I'm
> just glad to have found a way to help others while doing it... if it were
> just about the trip, there are far easier ways to get to Florida.

Well, I'm just saying if you want to do a triathlon and you want to do
it as part of a nice trip, then it's a nice payoff for doing the legwork
to raise $4200. For some people, they'd do a triathlon anyway but do it
close to home. Others would raise money without getting anything in
return. I'm sure the thought of a free trip motivates a lot of people to
do the fundraising work that wouldn't other wise do it.

Face it: EVERYONE who gives money to charity or who raises money for
charity gets something out of it for themselves. For some, the feeling
of doing something good is enough. For others, they need the trip. I'm
not saying you fall into one category or the other.

I've done a lot of charity events, and I've raised maybe up to $600 at a
time, for which I've gotten some award gifts like towels and duffle
bags. Me, I wouldn't raise $4200 unless I was getting something out of
it for myself. It's too much work.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

12-03-2004, 11:54 AM

"BEN" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>You are offered the opportunity to raise $4200 for cancer research.

No, you're raising $4200, some of which will go to research. The rest
pays for your trip (airfare/hotel,) at least one extravagant party at
the site, the costs of the many "administrative" types at the race
(including their travel/hotel) who organize the party and other
events, etc, etc.

You'd be wise to ask just how much of your funds actually trickle down
to research. Maybe it's substantial, maybe not. Personally, I only
give to local charities.

Then on race day you will suffer the wary looks of triathletes who
will view you as an obstacle to avoid on the course. Few TnT'ers
(maybe you'll be different) ever bother to learn silly little things
like rules on drafting, position fouls, etc. They see no reason why
they can't ride together, 3 or 4 abreast across the road, at 12 mph
and walk/run the same way. After all, THEY'RE doing it for a REAL
reason, not just for themselves.

And then there are the TnT spectators who only cheer those with a TnT
shirt on, ignoring everyone else who passes. That engenders lots of
love.

Sorry to sound so negative, but frankly, TnT ain't my favorite
organization.

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

12-05-2004, 03:14 PM

God in heaven, where is Brian Wagner when we really need him?

JJB
"BEN" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:3C%rd.2524$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthli nk.net...
> > > jesus christ, you have to raise $4200 bucks just for an international
> > > distance triathlon??
>
> You are offered the opportunity to raise $4200 for cancer research.
That's
> why you do it. The triathlon is a symbolic action- I will be racing with
> cancer survivors and in honor of those athletes & friends who were unable
to
> participate due to these diseases. That's why I framed it as a
> "walk-a-thon." Walking a couple of miles is very different than walking a
> couple of miles to fight cancer.
>
> > > Not to knock team in training, but man what a fund
> > > raising scheme they've latched on to!
>
> It's not like they're selling sneakers, dude. The Leukemia & Lymphoma
funds
> medical research & provides money to cancer victims who need it. They
need
> my help. And yours. And all the rest they can get.
>
> If you'd like to make a donation but don't want to support my personal
> drive, feel free to visit [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
>
>
> Harold wrote:
>
> > If
> > it were $4200 do do the downtown Detroit triathlon or something, I don't
> > think people would be willing to raise that much.
>
> Depends on the person. I've been training on my own for two months, and
> have another four to go. Either way, I'll be a triathlete by April, I'm
> just glad to have found a way to help others while doing it... if it were
> just about the trip, there are far easier ways to get to Florida.
>
> -BEN
>
>
>

12-06-2004, 05:13 AM

"Dr Joe" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
news:3LLsd.124719$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].co m:

> God in heaven, where is Brian Wagner when we really need him?
>
> JJB
> "BEN" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:3C%rd.2524$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthli nk.net...
>> > > jesus christ, you have to raise $4200 bucks just for an
>> > > international distance triathlon??
>>
>> You are offered the opportunity to raise $4200 for cancer research.
> That's
>> why you do it. The triathlon is a symbolic action- I will be racing
>> with cancer survivors and in honor of those athletes & friends who
>> were unable
> to
>> participate due to these diseases. That's why I framed it as a
>> "walk-a-thon." Walking a couple of miles is very different than
>> walking a couple of miles to fight cancer.
>>
>> > > Not to knock team in training, but man what a fund
>> > > raising scheme they've latched on to!
>>
>> It's not like they're selling sneakers, dude. The Leukemia &
>> Lymphoma
> funds
>> medical research & provides money to cancer victims who need it.
>> They
> need
>> my help. And yours. And all the rest they can get.
>>
>> If you'd like to make a donation but don't want to support my
>> personal drive, feel free to visit [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
>>
>>
>> Harold wrote:
>>
>> > If
>> > it were $4200 do do the downtown Detroit triathlon or something, I
>> > don't think people would be willing to raise that much.
>>
>> Depends on the person. I've been training on my own for two months,
>> and have another four to go. Either way, I'll be a triathlete by
>> April, I'm just glad to have found a way to help others while doing
>> it... if it were just about the trip, there are far easier ways to
>> get to Florida.
>>
>> -BEN
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

I heard he was too busy with is new job as a product tester for Oakley to
post anymore.

12-06-2004, 06:35 AM

In article <Xns95B73F94D80FTomH4thBellSouthnet@216.77.188.18> ,
Tom Henderson <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> "Dr Joe" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
> news:3LLsd.124719$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].co m:
>
> > God in heaven, where is Brian Wagner when we really need him?
> >
> > JJB
> > "BEN" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> > news:3C%rd.2524$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthli nk.net...
> >> > > jesus christ, you have to raise $4200 bucks just for an
> >> > > international distance triathlon??
> >>
> >> You are offered the opportunity to raise $4200 for cancer research.
> > That's
> >> why you do it. The triathlon is a symbolic action- I will be racing
> >> with cancer survivors and in honor of those athletes & friends who
> >> were unable
> > to
> >> participate due to these diseases. That's why I framed it as a
> >> "walk-a-thon." Walking a couple of miles is very different than
> >> walking a couple of miles to fight cancer.
> >>
> >> > > Not to knock team in training, but man what a fund
> >> > > raising scheme they've latched on to!
> >>
> >> It's not like they're selling sneakers, dude. The Leukemia &
> >> Lymphoma
> > funds
> >> medical research & provides money to cancer victims who need it.
> >> They
> > need
> >> my help. And yours. And all the rest they can get.
> >>
> >> If you'd like to make a donation but don't want to support my
> >> personal drive, feel free to visit [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
> >>
> >>
> >> Harold wrote:
> >>
> >> > If
> >> > it were $4200 do do the downtown Detroit triathlon or something, I
> >> > don't think people would be willing to raise that much.
> >>
> >> Depends on the person. I've been training on my own for two months,
> >> and have another four to go. Either way, I'll be a triathlete by
> >> April, I'm just glad to have found a way to help others while doing
> >> it... if it were just about the trip, there are far easier ways to
> >> get to Florida.
> >>
> >> -BEN
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> I heard he was too busy with is new job as a product tester for Oakley to
> post anymore.

He's also lobbying the WTC and USAT to allow drafting in age-group
events.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

12-06-2004, 06:56 AM

Harold Buck wrote:
> In article <Xns95B73F94D80FTomH4thBellSouthnet@216.77.188.18> ,
> Tom Henderson <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>
>>"Dr Joe" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
>>news:3LLsd.124719$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. com:
>>
>>
>>>God in heaven, where is Brian Wagner when we really need him?

>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>I heard he was too busy with is new job as a product tester for Oakley to
>>post anymore.
>
>
>
> He's also lobbying the WTC and USAT to allow drafting in age-group
> events.
>

I thought he was a professional blue book reader, famous for his
attention to minutae and his unfailing judgement. I don't mean the
judgement didn't fail; I mean he didn't fail to make the judgement. Ah,
but with his departure, the whole rst empire quite collapsed.
Outrageousness is seriously welcome on news groups, I think. If you're
out there lurking, BW, by all means Come Back!

rtk

12-06-2004, 07:27 AM

I think BW is counseling stray dogs that have been misunderstood by
runners and cyclists. It's a self esteem thing.

rsquared

12-07-2004, 05:25 PM

I miss his postings fiercely. He always had an opinion - very well
researched, well reasoned, insightful,entertaining, amusing - and frequently
wrong. I figure if the chance to inveigh against the TnTers doesn't bring
him out of retirement, he is lost to us for good. Alas, the group is worse
off for his absence.....
JJB

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1102343256.655807.289270@c13g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> I think BW is counseling stray dogs that have been misunderstood by
> runners and cyclists. It's a self esteem thing.
>
> rsquared
>
>