Cowtown results, 50th percentile YEAH!

Check it.

599 out of 2031 total finishers.

443 out of 1068 male runners.

Age Grade = 50.6%

I am a perfectly average half-marathoner.

And that my friends, I am perfectly ok with...

Onward to the Lone Star Triathlon on March 28.

P.S. TNT was well represented. I wore my TEAM training jersey and had lots of "Go Team" shouts from spectators along the way. One marathoner was running in honor of his 2-year old daughter recently diagnosed with leukemia. The mission goes on. You can extend your offer of financial support with a donation here. Fundraising for this season closes March 15.

Looking ahead to the Cowtown

The Iron Man distance triathlon ends with a full marathon.

The Half Iron Man distance (for which I'm training) ends with a half marathon.

I've never run a full or half marathon distance either in a race or a training run.

That's about to change!

For mostly psychological reasons, I decided to opt out of our team's weekend brick workout and instead to run the Cowtown Half Marathon this Saturday, February 23, 2008.

Bricks are great training - they combine cycling and running elements in race like conditions. They're great at conditioning your legs and heart.

What I need is a specific kind of mental conditioning. I need to know what it feels like to run 13.1 miles.

Plus, the Cowtown promises to be a fun event - bigger this year than ever before.

You've probably noticed the pervasive and deep links between amateur endurance sports events and charitable and social causes. The Cowtown is affiliated with the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center and serves to promote health awareness in the community. Pretty cool.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's wishing you and yours a love filled day!

Paying it forward, most of us are one slip away

A few thoughts on health care...

Expenses due to catastrophic health care costs are among the tops three causes of personal bankruptcy filings (the other two are loss of a job and divorce) - Source, BBC News.

The employer based health care system in the US struggles to keep pace with unrelenting increases in health care costs. The answer: shift more of the burden back to the employee. It's a trend to which we can all relate.

Among the most pressing issues in our current presidential race is who has the best plan to address the problems of health care in America.

Very few of us have enough in the savings account to deal with a true health care catastrophe. Insurance seems to be less and less of a safety net every year. Perhaps our government will play a bigger role to everyone's benefit. One thing is clear, America's non-profit organizations carry a huge load in meeting the needs of those among us stuck hardest by disease and which require prolonged and costly health care. It's a strength of our country we should be proud of. Financial Support is a big part of the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Help in this mission. Donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Pay it forward and hope you never have to cash in that good karma (yes I know that's a very bad mixed metaphor).

Yes We Can

Whatever your political inclinations and whether or not Barack Obama is your candidate, I believe"Yes, we can!" is a timely, if not a critical message for our country/world. With all we're up against in solving our problems, there is no other response. And while not directly related to supporting the fight against blood cancers or triathlon training, the message still applies... (watch and try not get goose bumps, I dare you!)

The most generous way to spend a Saturday night...

...and still get to drink beer!

Come to the Fort Worth TNT Team Fundraiser at the legendary Rahr & Sons Brewery.

The evening will include:

• The ambiance of the working Rahr & Sons brewery
• Local beer, on-tap, no limit, all night!
• Raffle prizes
• Live music
  
• A silent auction with lots of donated goodies from local business, sport tickets, gift baskets, and on and on...

Cost: $20/person at the door, or buy tickets from me in advance (write "Jonathan Goodman" on the back of the ticket and I'll get credit toward my fundraising goal).

Saturday, Feb. 9th
7-10pm
Rahr & Sons Brewery Company
701 Galveston Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104

In memory of Mr. Gerhold, my high school math teacher

I recently learned about the death of my freshman year high school math teacher, James Gerhold, of cancer.

My two years at Clay High School in South Bend, Indiana seem like a lifetime ago. I remember that I really liked Mr. Gerhold, that he was an excellent teacher and a decent man and I learned a lot from him. I'm very sorry to hear of his death. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. Reading his guest book, it's plain to see he touched many lives as all great teachers do.

James H. Gerhold, 61, of South Bend, IN passed away at 12:40PM Monday, January 21, 2008 in his home. Jim taught math for the South Bend Community School Corporation at Clay High School for 33 years and retired in 2002. He also taught at Raffi Naftali Riff Yeshiva. Jim was born on November 5, 1946 in South Bend, IN to Robert H. and Dorothy L. (Enfield) Gerhold. On May 31, 1969 in South Bend, IN he married Suzanne (Carroll) Gerhold, who survives.

Along with his wife, Suzanne Gerhold; his mother, Dorothy Gerhold; and his sister, Janice S. Gerhold both of Mishawaka, survive.

Jim was a 1965 graduate of South Bend Central High School and graduated from De Pauw University in 1969 where he was a member of Sigma Nu. He earned his master's degree in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame. He was a member of the Activities Board at Southfield Village and a member of TCU Advisory Board. In his later years, he joined the South Bend Bridge Club, which he really enjoyed. Jim played varsity basketball for South Bend Central and DePauw University under two legendary coaches, Jim Powers and Elmer McCall. He was an accomplished woodworker and left behind many beautiful pieces for friends and family to enjoy. Jim also loved traveling, but he was equally content to sit at home and read a good mystery.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00PM Thursday, January 24, 2008 at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue. The family will receive friends from 3:00PM until time of services in the funeral home on Thursday.

Contributions in memory of James H. Gerhold may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Fund; Miles for Myeloma, IU Simon Cancer Center, P.O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245

Fundraising Update: Half Way There!

Thanks to a combination of generous donations from friends and family and a bit of volunteer work, we're half way toward reaching our Season Two fundraising goal of $3,000.

Thank you all!

To donate online, visit the Team Goodman fundraising Web site!

Update, eternal wisdom from Honored Hero Jordan

I've copied an except here below from Jordan's most recent online Journal entry:

As I continue my recovery, I’m learning the difference between ‘well’ and ‘healthy’. Patients can leave the clinic healthy and cured, but may not be well....Right now, I am definitely recovering well and quickly, and am well...

Thank goodness! He continues:

There is no rhyme or reason to who gets it. It doesn’t care if you’re in shape or not, it doesn’t care if you have a family or not, it doesn’t care if you’ve got the insurance coverage or the money to handle the medical bills—it just takes and takes and takes from whomever crosses its path...

But we can take back. We can’t take back our normal kidney function and we can’t take back the health we had before we had to do the things we have to do to survive cancer, but we can take lessons—we can learn. WE CAN BE WELL. We can learn to be happy with what we have...

...in time and with training I’ve been able to take back my body and compete in strenuous athletic events that even most normal people cannot do. I’m referring specifically to the triathlons I did...Cancer took my strength and athleticism, and I took it back...

Read the full entry on Jordan's CaringBridge Journal. I'm sure you'll be struck and I am by the fighting spirit of Jordan and his family and by the elements of eternal wisdom Jordan has earned through his multiple bouts with cancer.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

CaringBridge. Free Websites That Support And Connect Loved Ones During Critical Illness.

A short history of Team In Training's 20 years

It's been too long since I've shared a heart-thumping video. Here's a good one, produced as part of the 20th anniversary of TNT. Enjoy!

Check your Inbox

My first email message and fundraising appeal launched today. Check your Inbox. Since I'm using a professional email service (VerticalResponse) you may need to check your junk mail folder as well. Such is the nature of email...

If you did not get the email and would like to be added to my list, add a comment to this post, send me an email, or use the sign-up form to the right.

Thanks for your support!

P.S. Making a charitable donation was among the top 5 tips for reducing your 2007 tax burden according to the NBC Today show this morning, December 11, 2008.

The Rev James Grace runs for autism, son

[this letter is reprinted with permission by my friend Jimmy Grace - please consider extending your support]

Dear friends and family,

I am running in the RUN FOR AUTISM on January 13, 2008 in conjunction with the Chevron Houston Marathon.   Aside from training over the past few months and the next two months to come, I have decided to turn my sweat and blisters into something really meaningful.  I am contacting you to help me raise money for autism research.  To learn more, please visit my Web page http://www.firstgiving.com/jamesgrace .  My fundraising goal is $3,000.00.

I am dedicating this run to my oldest son, James, who was diagnosed with a form of Autism earlier this year.  I am running in the hopes to raise money for the Organization for Autism Research, a national non-profit organization that funds research and resources for individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.  Your pledge of support will help individuals whose struggles often exist outside the spotlight of society. 

Please consider sponsoring me in the RUN FOR AUTISM.  Every donation really does make a difference.  To find out more about the Organization for Autism Research, please visit their Web site  www.researchautism.org

Please forward this message to friends and family who might be interested in helping.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Peace,

Jimmy

The Rev. James M.L. Grace
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
9600 South Gessner
Houston, Texas 77071

Still my favorite holiday

No presents.
Just family, food, and football. (Parades... I can take 'em or leave 'em).
Thanksgiving is the best.
I'm especially lucky that my wife does wonders with a turkey (brining was the secret this year), my in-laws specialize in sumptuous sides, and my mom adds old family favorites (Jello salad just like our Grandma used to make).

I hope you all had a great day. And thanks to all of you.

Who makes swim goggles for those with big noses?

I had a lot trouble finding a pair of swim goggles that fit my head. That was my predicament a year ago at the beginning of Season One (Winter 2006/07). I have a prominent nose. Swim goggle manufacturers seem not to take my kind into account when designing their products.

Alas, I did find a solution in a particular pair which looked not at all like those performance eye goggles that the Olympic swimmers wear but looked rather much more like a kid's scuba mask appropriate for the back-yard kiddie pool pretend dives. But they stayed on my face, kept the water out, and did not attempt to crush my nose as many others seemed designed to do. I came to like these goggles (made by TYR and named Hydrovision). It all ended when they quit working this past week. Two workouts, viciously cut short due to unexpected equipment failure. The seals leaked and my eyes were repeatedly splashed by chlorinated H2O. From Coach Tarp, expert on all triathlon, I learned of a local sage of goggle fitting arts. Located at the local run shop, a masters swimmer can be found, working the odd mix of retail hours, who provides for the local endurance athletes in training. Perhaps she has the answers I seek.

In my haste to return to the pool I took another course and visited the local chain sports warehouse. On a narrow aisle, I see the left overs which survived into the off-season. I read descriptions looking for a marketing term that is code for "big nose" and I think I actually found it. It's called the "Technoflex," another TYR goggle. So who makes goggles for those with big noses. TYR does. Thanks TYR! As I have a prominent nose.

Though I still think I'll visit the goggle sage... I'll let you know what I find.

Season Two: The Fundraising Plan

I just learned that our Winter team has already raised $29,588. Sadly, Team Goodman has not contributed to the team total... yet!

Here's my plan for hitting my goal of $3,000. The total will actually be a mix of real money and "credits" I get for volunteering. I figure the smart folks at TNT/LLS know what they're doing and the credits support the cause nearly almost as much as cold hard cash.

The plan for your review:

Fundraising Goal	$3,000
Source:	Planned amount to be raised:
Local business donation	$700
Volunteer credit	$1,300
Friends & family donations	$800
Personal donation	$200 or whatever is left over!

In Season One - I relied heavily upon Friends and Family, and everyone came through in amazing fashion. My two sisters, my mom, dad, aunts, uncles, family friends, co-workers, former co-workers, college friends, Fort Worth friends, fraternity brothers, and even some people I have never met in person who are friends of TNT/LLS and supporters of the cause all made generous donations.

In Season Two - I really want to diversify and work hard to get a few local businesses to pony up. I figure my increased calorie intake during triathlon training alone is benefiting the local economy. They really should give back. I'll keep you all posted here.

Share your thoughts on this plan (and feel free to make a donation!)

All the best...

Jameson 5k at Southwestern University 2007

This was my second year to run the Jameson 5k at Southwestern, which occurs Saturday morning during the annual Homecoming gathering each fall.

Two observations from this year's event:

• The field of runners both grew and got faster from last year to this year.
• I got slower.

A bit about the Jameson 5k:

The Jameson 5K at Southwestern began in 2001 as a way of honoring the memory of Jaysn Jameson and to increase the endowment of the Jaysn Jameson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year of the race our goal is to improve upon the last year and build the race to a premiere event for Southwestern University and Georgetown.

Kenda Evans, sister of Jaysn, is the event organizer is doing a fantastic job in realizing that goal.

This year's results? I dropped to 122 (from 80 last year) and my time got worse. It may have been that extra G&T at the alumni hospitality on Friday night (I'm pretty sure of that actually...).

I absolutely plan to be back next year. And complete the run in under 25... we'll see how my Friday night goes next year :-)

Casino Night, Friday, Nov. 9th

Attention all gamblers and charity-minded silent auction fans!

The North Texas TNT group is sponsoring "Casino Night" at the La Cima Club, Las Colinas, from 7-11 PM, Friday, November 9, 2007.

You can order tickets online.

I also have advance tickets in my hand - so you can buy from me directly.

Of course, all proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Tickets are $40 each or $75 for two.

A few more reasons to come out for Casino Night!

1. Great for a date night!
2. Silent auction includes sport tickets and other super cool stuff!
3. You or your honey has a reason to pull that favorite cocktail dress out of the closet.
4. Guys, you can act out your James Bond fantasies and order a drink "shaken not stirred."
5. Did you think I was going someplace else with that James Bond thing?
6. Did we mention all this fun supports the fight against blood cancers?

Austin Race for the Cure®

My dear friend Katy is raising funds for the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation Austin Affiliate by participating with "Team Tatas" in the Austin Race for the Cure®

Here's a word from Katy:

As many of you know, breast cancer research hits really close to home for me, as I am surrounded by survivors in my family: My mother, her sister (my aunt), and my eldest sister are all survivors of this disease. In all, we consider ourselves to be blessed, but it does not mean that our future as a family - and as a community - will not reveal many more instances of this deadly disease.

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Komen Austin Race for the Cure® on November 4th in the fight against breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more we raise, the more Susan G. Komen for the Cure Austin Affiliate can give back to fund vital breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community and support the national search for a cure.

Please join me in the fight by contributing generously to the Komen Austin Affiliate. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties and national breast cancer research. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support in the fight against breast cancer! Every step counts!

Komen Austin
P.O. Box 2164
Austin, TX 78768

Please include your information as well as the particpant you are supporting.

Or, donate online here.

Team in Training (TNT) turns 20

From a recent announcement about commemorating TNT's 20th year:

In 2008, Team In Training (TNT), the world’s largest sports endurance training program, will celebrate it’s twentieth year of saving lives, one mile at a time. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s TNT provides coaching and support for people to cross the finish line at marathons, cycling and triathlon events. Participants raise funds as they train.

TNT participants say that changing your life, making lasting friendships with teammates and impacting the lives of thousands of blood cancer patients is what makes the experience so rewarding.

This participant thinks that sums it up quite nicely.

Why we do this - Jordan's story continues

Jordan Deathe is the Honored Hero for our North Texas team.

He's got t-cell lymphoma. He just turned 22. He's already completed an event with TNT. He's been back in the hospital these past few months and this week he will undergo a bone marrow transplant.

He found a perfect bone marrow match. Jordan and his doctors are very hopeful.

Jordan shares his story via this Web site provided by Caring Bridge; he and his family keep a regularly updated journal of Jordan's progress and status.

I've met Jordan just once at our Summer Team kick-off, just prior to his cancer returning in this current relapse. He's a regular guy. As his writing attests he's also quite extraordinary. Take a few minutes to meet Jordan and consider offering a few words of support. He asks that everyone sign his guest book. It's not too much to ask, don't you think?