September 23, 2013 - First Goal Met

 

I am very excited that I have met my first goal of having @ 1,000 people view my donation page, my blog, my story and my journey via email and facebook.  This is so awesome.  I am very grateful to all the supporters I have already.   I am still looking to meet my financial goal, click here to help me make this happen:
http://www.active.com/donate/IMchattanoogaCCFA14/IRONMANVBate

This weekend I participated in the SkipJack International Distance event in Cambridge, MD.  I am still nursing my shoulder injury and I so have a love/hate realtionship with the Choptank River.  With a lot of nervous anxiety I did manage to slowly swim the 1.2 miles and survived with jelly fish stings and all.  But the most important is that I got in the water and I got out! Yeah.   I was lucky to have the support of my friend Tamara to help get my wetsuit on and off my injured shoulder.  I was so excited to finish a race in a fairly healthy state in 2013.  I even placed first in my age group. That was a bonus.

I completed this event with my friend and great supporter, Judy, who completed the 2.4 mile open water swim.  Judy is an awesome swimmer.  Judy has set a challenge for herself to complete her first century ride (100 miles) in October raising funds and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer.  Judy not only swims with me but also runs with me and knows first hand some of the struggles I experience while training.  It always makes things easier when you have understanding friends that can assist you along the way.   

 



Check out this link on other's stories about their crohn's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLLatxj612o

 

The beginning of IM TN Journey - Sept. 10, 2013

http://www.active.com/donate/IMchattanoogaCCFA14/IRONMANVBate

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

Well, here I am again embarking on another Ironman Journey.  Ironman Tennessee, Chattanooga, Choo, Choo, which is holding this event to support and raise awareness for people with Crohn's and Colitis.  Doing another ironman was a difficult decision for me as 2013 was a year in which I struggled with my health in many ways and had a difficult time completing many of the races and events I had hoped to do.  This happens, however, I did stay active and train throughout the year as this always helps me feel sane.  I apparently have what "they" refer to as serious auto immune diseases which consists of Crohn's and Celiacs which impacts many of our internal bodily systems and controls.  I don't absorb nutrition like "normal" bodies do in addition to the other issues associated with Crohn's and Celiacs.  This is in addition to having a bike accident on July 4th in which I fractured my shoulder with 3 tears.  My decision to go forward with this Ironman was the connection and awareness this will have for people with Crohns, Colitis and many "gut" issues.  Providing awareness for these debilitating and chronic diseases is important to me as well as encouraging those with any chronic conditions to stay active and healthy!

My goal is to raise at least $5,000 for research and patient services as there is currently no cure for these diseases and to have at least 1,000 people learn something more about Crohns, Colitis and Celiac diseases.  My goal is to help others at least maintain a healthy quality of life no matter what condition they may suffer from.  Many of these conditions lead into Colon cancer which is scary as I have a few family members who have passed on in this life from colon cancer. 

I will blog about my journey here, the good and the not so good.  My next and final attempt at racing in 2013 will be on September 21st at the Bugeye event on the eastern shore.  This is an international distance event. 

Click on the link above to help me achieve this