I haven't posted in a while. Since my last post, I finished up my residency at the hospital and became a full-time student again at Candler. This is my final year at Candler!!! As such, I've been pretty busy with homework and the like and, of course, training/preparing for this race. The other huge accomplishment I'm completed is meeting my fundraising goal. With your help, I've raised $2626.00!!!! Thank you, for making this happen!I can't believe this race is tomorrow. I've been very excited all week. Today, though, I am also very nervous. I'm ready. I know I can do this. I'm so much stronger than I was when I started this and I think I have the endurance. The mental part of this competition is maybe the hardest. In class this morning, while my professor was detailing the stages of development for Piaget, Kohlberg, and Erikson, I could only think about whether or not I had packed everything I need. While he explained the stage of development that causes us to have nightmares that we show up to school in only our underwear, I was freaking out that perhaps I would be caught unprepared mid-race.
But I've trained for this. I'm ready. I'm packed. Tomorrow night I will have the new title "Triathlete!" I'll have photos to prove it. :D
I'm also conscious of the long race Mary Crist has been running. She completed her six rounds of chemo and her cancer has taken a beating. It is greatly reduced, but not gone. Her PET scan showed that it is still wrapped around a kidney that went defunct several years ago. She is in England this week having a good time and learning about new theories in her field and when she returns she re-starts chemotherapy. This time she will have two 21 day rounds of chemo that are much more intense than her first 6 rounds. She and her doctor hope to blast the heck out of this cancer and hang a "No Trespassing" sign in her body. My aunt, too, is now fighting cancer (breast cancer that metastasized to a lymph node) and started her first round of chemo yesterday. These wonderful and important women will be on my mind all day tomorrow. I'm writing their names on my arms and will carry them with me over the finish line.
Coming to see me at the race:
Some people mentioned wanting to come cheer me on at the race. If you live in Atlanta, it's somewhat feasible that you could come. Here's the deal, though. This race is at Lake Hartwell, on the border of Georgia and South Carolina. The race starts at 8am and my personal start won't be until closer to 8:15 (maybe even 8:30). I don't expect to cross the finish line until maybe 1pm or 2pm. If you come for the entire event, it's a lot of sitting and waiting, all day, to see me cross the finish line. You could see me in the transition area twice (between water and bike, then between bike and run), but you can't touch me or pass me anything (I'd be disqualified). If you do come, I recommend planning to be there around noon so you can find the finish line. I also recommend bringing something with you to keep yourself hydrated and entertained. If you simply congratulate me after I return from the race, awesome!
The directions to Tugaloo State Park follow, or you can find them on their website: http://gamultisports.com/tugaloo.html
Directions to Tugaloo Triathlon
From Atlanta
Take I-85 North to Exit 173, Tocca-Lavonia - GA HWY 17 - Tugaloo State Park/ Hart State Park
Turn Left on GA HWY 17
From Greenville
I-85 South to Exit 173, Tocca-Lavonia - GA HWY 17 - Tugaloo State Park/ Hart State Park
Turn Right on GA HWY 17
Once on GA HWY 17
Proceed approx. 1/4 mile
Turn Right on Smith Rd. - near Hardees.
Cross RR Tracks
Turn Right at STOP SIGN on Gerrard Rd.
Proceed approx. 1.5 miles until it dead ends.
Turn Left on HWY 328, and proceed approx. 3 miles
Turn Right on Tugaloo Park Road (BP Gas Station), pass through gate.
Bear Right at fork, proceed to Start Area.
You will directed where to park by Park Rangers.
If arriving late, be prepared to park .25 to .5 miles from start area.
