Tri-ing to cure Cystic Fibrosis

The eagle has landed.

Last week, on behalf of Tri-ing to Cure #CysticFibrosis, I hand delivered a check for $1,040 to the folks at the Joey O. Bocce Classic. They were beyond thrilled and asked to pass along their thanks to everyone who donated and supported our cause....cause you guys rock!

The Joey O. folks also alerted all of their Bocce Friends about our efforts! Here's a link to their newsletter, if you'd like to read it: http://bit.ly/JoeyOBocceClassic

If you're in Raleigh (or would like to be) next April, save the date - August 24, 2016 is the 9th Annual Joey O. Bocce Classic. It's going to be a blast!

Thanks again to everyone that gave and/or supported Tri-ing to Cure Cystic Fibrosis. What a way to end the summer!

Peace,
Justin

It is truly amazing what your body can do when you push it.

Nine weeks ago, I could barely run a mile and I was riding 5-10 miles per week. Yesterday morning, I swam 1000 meters in a river, rode 15 miles of single track, and ran 5 miles in the woods - in 3 hours and 33 minutes, 27 minutes faster than my goal (results here: http://usnwc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2015-XTERRA-Age-Group-Results.pdf).

I wasn't the fastest, I didn't win any awards, and I didn't always look good doing it (that's for sure!), but I was the most determined.

I can honestly say this was the most physically challenging thing I've ever attempted - and it was great!

I'm fortunate to have the ability to will my body to do something that it couldn't do, and then help it adapt. But, there are many who are unable to do this, like those with Cystic Fibrosis.

Because of you, your support, and your generosity, I crushed another goal yesterday: Tri-ing to Cure #CysticFibrosis raised more than $1,000 to help find a cure for this debilitating disease.

I know I speak for a large community when I say "thank you, from the bottom of my heart." One day we will have a world without CF - and that day can't come soon enough.

Many of you are probably tired of reading these long updates and seeing my mug plastered all over your feeds, so I promise this will be the last update for a while. But, before I go, I wanted to say thank you one last time.

A huge thanks goes to my wife, Karis, for her unbelievable level of support. I can't explain how much this woman has done to motivate me, how she kept me going when I didn't think I was able, and how she was always there. Not to mention, all of the great photos she took yesterday (link below). I swear she ran as much of the course as I did! I love you, babe.

Also, special thanks to Megan Wilson. She's the one responsible for putting this crazy idea in my head in the first place. Congrats to you on your third place finish yesterday, Megan! You rock, and it was a blast training and competing with you.

Lastly, I hope I've inspired someone through this whole thing. Go do something great - something out of your comfort zone - something for others. You can do it!

After all, a life without cause is a life without effect.

Peace,
Justin

Race day pictures here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204710855066812&type=1&l=35ca4e2dda

Supporting organizations:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:
http://www.cff.org

Joey O. Bocce Classic:
http://joeyobocceclassic.org

U.S. National Whitewater Center, XTERRA:
http://usnwc.org/play/whitewater-race-series/xterra-whitewater-triathlon

Trips for Kids, Charlotte (The Re-Cyclery):
http://tripsforkidscharlotte.org/re-cyclery-program

Thank you, everyone, for your support and generosity - a life without cause is a life without effect. Crushed both goals - thanks to you.

The number 240 is a significant one – it is a highly totient number, with more totient answers than any other previous integer (thanks, Google). 240 is also the remainder needed to reach my $1,000 goal for Tri-ing to Cure #CysticFibrosis.

Thank you to all of you who have chosen to donate and support my effort. I can’t thank you enough! Earlier this week I received a note and a check in the mail from some amazing folks in Raleigh who heard about my campaign from some dear friends. I also received a donation from a gracious gentleman that I had met for the first time only days prior. Humans are good.

For those of you who would like to help but haven’t yet, there is still time. My race is less than 24 hours away, and my Fundly campaign will close in less than two days. To donate: just click the link in this post and follow the “Donate Now” button, or just let me know you’d like to donate and we can settle up later.

Remember, all donations will be directed to the Joey O. Bocce Classic, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

**Final Training Update**

Well, here we are – just hours from race day.

I ran my last training run this a.m. – just a quick three miles around the hood. I feel incredible – thanks to all of you and your support (and compression shorts…but mostly all of you).

Speaking of compression shorts, the list of things to pack and all of the tips and tricks I’ve learned keeps swirling in my head. It’s a lot to sew together, but I know come race time it’s all worth it.

My ride was tuned up by the infamous Michael Lopez earlier this week, so the Raleigh is race-ready. Big shout out to Lopez’s organization: http://tripsforkidscharlotte.org - these guys are doing something really great.

Tonight is registration and there will also be a transition tutorial by last year’s winner. I’m looking forward to the session. I’m also looking forward to receiving my “official” swim cap…never had one of those before. I’ll post a pic.

As for weather, it looks like it is going to cooperate, but it will still be hot. Mid to high 90s, but with an 8 a.m. start, we should be finished before the heat comes.

Here goes nothing…

Thanks again for all the love and support. Let's crush this!

Peace,
Justin

Tri-ing to Cure #CysticFibrosis is rollin' with just 6 days until race day (7 days left to donate). Thanks to you, we've raised $575 toward our $1,000 goal!!

A big "thanks" to everyone who has donated, pledged support, or just passed along words of encouragement. It all means so much.

And remember, if you aren't able to donate but you still want to support me, you can still click on the "Not ready to Donate? Support Justin" button at the bottom of my campaign page and it doesn't cost a thing - just good vibes and a few minutes of your time.

You can also help by sharing this post or my campaign page (https://fundly.com/tri-ing-to-cure-cystic-fibrosis) with your friends and family and encouraging them to support the cause.

**Cystic Fibrosis Update**
Big news! There has been some cause for celebration in the Cystic Fibrosis community of late - the FDA recently approved the drug Orkambi. It is only the second drug approved by the FDA that targets the underlying cause of CF.

You can read more about the approval here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/03/business/orkambi-a-new-cystic-fibrosis-drug-wins-fda-approval.html?_r=1

**Training Update**
Yesterday was the last of my brick days (riding and running, as I would in the race). I rode the entire race course and then ran the majority of the trail run. I opted not to run the transition routes. I managed both of these in a faster-than-expected time, so I hope that's a glimpse of what's to come!

I have one last big ride this morning, and then an open water swim tonight. I'm planning to swim the course that I will be following next weekend - so keep your fingers crossed I don't run into any alligators!

Also, I did do some transition work earlier this week. If you are interested in watching, I did record my practice. I uploaded it to Dropbox (there is some copyrighted material in the video and Facebook refused to let me post it), so you'll have to sign up (its free) to Dropbox to view it.

Here's the link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cjgo2y0alos9job/Transition%20Practice.mov?dl=0

As always, suggestions / tips are welcome.

Thanks again for all the love and support! We're almost there - just $425 more to reach our goal and to being another step closer to blasting Cystic Fibrosis!!

Justin

Half way to the goal! As of this morning, Tri-ing to cure #CysticFibrosis hit its 50 percent mark - thanks to a few very generous folks. The site shows $450 currently, but I received a $50 donation by check (which is cool, if any of you want to donate "offline").

Nine days until race day and 10 days left to raise at least $500 - c'mon, we can do it!

**Training Update**

My run distances are now over five miles. Tuesday I ran 5.5. miles - that's more than I've run in a very long time! Yesterday was an off day, so I'm back at it today...well, after it cools down. It's 98 here.

On the gear front - I picked up a pair of Nathan's elastic Lock Laces for my shoes. After doing my long run in them this week, I highly recommend them. Thanks to Tommy Russell for the recommendation.

I'll be working on my transition this weekend, so I'll try to document the process.

If you have any other tips / tricks, please send them my way.

I'm also planning to hit up the White Water Center in the next few days to do a few more course runs, open water swims and rides. I'll post a few pics afterward.

Thanks to all who have donated so far, and for those of you who are supporting me (you can click the "support" tab and not donate - it's cool...really!).

Great news! After just 24 hours, Tri-ing to cure #CysticFibrosis has hit 10 percent of our goal! Thank you to everyone who has donated. Your support is SO appreciated! Just 11 days until the big race (and 12 days left to donate!).

**Training Update** Yesterday was the first of my two-a-days. I swam farther than I ever have before, logging 1,500 meters in the pool. Afterward, I hit the trails and rode 8 miles on my mountain bike. I tackled a new black trail that I've been holding off on riding, and it felt great!

I also learned something - midday training at Sherman Branch MTB Park is amazing. When everyone is at work, you get the trails all to yourself!

I also received my tri suit in the mail yesterday. Sorry, no pics of this disaster - as it's going right back. Let's just say this guy doesn't have a need for a belly shirt! I'm slowly building my kit and hope to have it sorted out by the end of the week.

Thanks again for your support and encouragement. Please keep all the emails, texts, and FB posts coming - I need all the help I can get these last two weeks!

Justin