Hi team!
Welcome to our 4th newsletter... it's filled with much excitement! Enjoy!

***** Fundraising Achievements *****
We have raised over (get ready for this!) $163,582 in 5 months! This is amazing! The support for our team has been so overwhelming, and we will be at our goal of $450,000 before we know it! Go TEAM!

***** News Flash *****
Louie Bonpua had a story in the San Jose Mercury News just one day before his bone marrow test at Stanford Hospital. Louie will find out the test results on March 27th regarding how his body is responding to Glivec (formally known as STI-571 in Dr. Druker's study). CNN also published a story re:the success of Glivec: "Worldwide, about 5,000 leukemia patients are taking Glivec experimentally. Studies of the drug are also underway in patients with prostate, lung and brain cancer, as well as patients with a rare form of stomach cancer. According to Novartis, the FDA has given the drug a "fast track" designation. So it's possible that, only three years after the first patient tried it, Glivec could be on the market for treatment of leukemia by the end of 2001."

***** Ironman New Zealand *****
On Sat. 3/3 there were 900 participants who gathered to experience NZ's greatest race. Our very own Tom Phelan was there, joined by IronTeam 2000's Danielle Shaver, Karen Louie and Jen Guthrie, and they all finished with great results! Tom came in at 13:43 hrs. (took 1:10 off his time!), Danielle did 14:19 hrs, Karen did 15:34, and Jen did 14:42. Great job guys!

The race was mainly filled with men (maybe 100 woman) and it's known as being a qualifier for Ironman Hawaii. It's interesting to note that Tom did not see a single drop of rain all day, but Karen was rained on during the bike and run! Yet another example that each person really does have their own race! Tom remembers the adventures before the race, "Danielle, Karen and I had to go to a local bike shop for last minute repairs (IronTeam '01 will have it much easier at IMC, for they won't disassemble/reassemble their bikes).

Monica (Phelan, Tom's sister and our teammate) also saved the day when she rushed to the 1st transition area and grabbed Karen's camelback and race # before Karen knew it was missing! Monica did a yeoman's job in gathering 2 bikes and gear from the bike/run transition area before the rain returned. Always appreciate your supporters!" Monica cheered from the sidelines, and we eagerly watched the live coverage on the web http://live.ironmanlive.com/default_inside.htm. Monica mentioned, "The course was great because the bike and run were both double loops so I could see AND cheer for them several times. The leader of the race was only 12 minutes ahead for the duration of the race. It was exciting!"

Fast-Forward...
(Mentor) Tom will continue to train with our team (which includes Monica!) for IMC on Sun. 8/26. Tom also includes a fun challenge for our team, "For those of you who are interested after IMC, I'll join you at New Zealand in 2002!"

***** IronTeam '00 Flashback *****
Mary Posey was exhausted as she entered the bike/run transition area. She remembers, "I had gotten rained on and the winds had turned me into a popsicle! When I got into the transition area there were hot-tubs and massage tables available and they looked mighty tempting. I was seriously on the verge of quitting. When I got into the transition area, I had two very nice ladies helping me change, one was even warming my feet with her hands."

Mary remembered, "my bag had a few cards and one was from our honoree Louie. I opened the card and inside Louie said to me I was his inspiration. I started to cry, the two ladies just stared at me. At that point I knew I had to go on. I mean it is only a marathon. So I dried my tears, put on my hat and sunglasses and headed out the tent. When my husband saw me coming out of the tent he said I had the most determined look on my face and at that point he knew I was going to finish."

Mary offers some great advise, "I know this may sound corny and my mentees have heard me rant about this, but no matter what happens to you on that day, do not, I repeat, do not miss the finish line!!! You may have one of your worst race days ever, and don't let that throw you off, just get to that finish line, it is worth it. You will also be a great inspiration to many people." Fast-Forward... (Mentor & Web Captain) Mary is going for Ironman #2! Her goal is to not only inspire us but to also help make our web site kick butt! She's doing a great job so far at realizing both of those goals. Thanks Mary!

***** Wildflower Tri Adventures *****
Our Wildflower training weekend in Lake San Antonio is just around the corner on 3/30-4/1... no fooling! With Wildflower just 2 months away, the anticipation and excitement is building! This is especially true for our 17 teammates that will be going for their very first tri. Way to go guys!

Kory Mingus has a special connection with Wildflower last year.. this was his first Triathlon ever. As Kory started the swim, "This feeling went over my whole body, my whole psyche. It was in my gaze, in the arch of my stroke. I was not just a participant, not just a biker or runner or swimmer - I was an athlete. My whole body, mind and spirit was not just going through the motions of this day, hoping to just survive, but was wholly connected to it.

George Clooney did not even appear to perform an "ER" Emergency Shark Tooth Extraction Surgery to boost ratings. (I would have gotten a picture for you, for sure, if he had). Those mental sharks would not be getting any fresh meat from me that day. I was an athlete."

***** A Big Thank You! ****
Our 50 mile "Vinceman" bike ride this last Sunday was a great adventure! A special thanks to Vince Cottman and Laura Winter for arranging the ride. Extra kudos goes out to our dedicated volunteers who came out and helped fix flat tires, provide food, drinks and directions: Captain Kim, Jennifer Quakenbush, Lisa, and Michelle Powers. We couldn't have done it without you!

***** Inspiring Links *****
Here's some fun facts & tips about Ironman Canada http://www.byrn.org/faq.htm Bookmark this great site for future Ironman events http://live.ironmanlive.com/

***** Things to Remember *****
"A little less than 6 months of the journey remains ahead of us. Take time to learn about your teammates and the reasons they have chosen to journey with you. The memories you will recall the most are those of this journey, because race day will be a blur and then it will all be just that - a memory." - Coach Wayne

***** Future Updates *****
Please send your inspirational stories to me for our next newsletter ;-)

Go IronTeam!
Alison Boudreau