Hi team!
Welcome to our 5th newsletter... Enjoy and Go IronTEAM! :-)

***** Fundraising Achievements *****
We have raised over $200,000 in 6 months! We are almost half way to our final goal of $450,000. Our next fund raising deadline is May 10th so stayed tuned!

***** News Flash *****
Louie Bonpua's test results regarding how his body is responding to Glivec (formally known as STI-571 in Dr. Druker's study) were bittersweet. The treatment has stopped the cancer from getting worse, but the cancer cells have not decreased in number as proven in other patients. Louie comments, "My battle against Leukemia will continue, and it sounds like it's going to be a long roller coaster ride as we make adjustments to my treatment regimen and maintenance chemotherapy. One thing is for sure: There ain't nothin'stoppin' me from doin' that dog-gone Ironman!" Louie was also interviewed by Dr. Dean Edel's ABC-7 program and it will be aired nationally (date pending). The show highlighted the success of Glivec and how it has helped peoples lives. Louie discussed how he's coping with his illness in a positive ways and he hopes his Ironman challenge will help inspire others to enjoy life to the fullest.

***** Wildflower Training Weekend (3/31-4/1) *****
We had a fun time camping and practicing the challenging WildFlower Long Course (1/2 Ironman) around beautiful Lake San Antonio. On Sat. we successfully biked 56 hilly miles in the heat, and the amazing country views and our SAG support teams really kept us going! After the ride we ran 2 miles, had lunch, got into wetsuits and swam for one hour in Lake San Antonio (average temp is 65-68 degrees). For several teammates this was their 1st experience in a wetsuit and/or being in the open water and they all did great! On Sun. the morning fog kept us cool while we ran 13.1 miles on rolling hills (60% trails & 40% roads). Kudos for everyone for a job well done! The weekend was filled with many accomplishments. The Wildflower 1/2 Ironman was awarded "Best Triathlon of the Year" by Competitor Magazine and is the 2nd largest tri in the world with over 4,000 competitors. Top professional triathletes are often scheduled to compete.
www.tricalifornia.com/wildflower/2001

***** A Wonderful Example of Teamwork *****
Eric Joyce stopped at a Safeway in San Francisco before his long drive to our Wildflower training weekend. While he was inside, his bike was stolen from the roof of his car! In complete dismay Eric reported the crime and continued to drive to Lake San Antonio. After relaying the unfortunate incident to his teammates, everyone decided to begin to pull together collections. During the Sunday announcements before the morning run, Team Mgr. Allie Pendleton surprised Eric and asked him to stand up in front of the group. Allie handed Eric the donations that were raised and Eric couldn't believe it! Enough money was raised for a new bike. It was truly a magically moment. Eric said, "It was the beauty of teams' caring and sharing that got to me. It's not every day you're the subject of such loving and generosity. I will never forget this".

***** Nicky's 10K Rainbow Run (4/8) *****
We had a fun time at this event and several of our FAST teammates even won some fabulous prizes! Coach Kate Sweetman (39:18) came in 3rd Overall, 2nd Place in her age group and won an award for getting the most cheers from the audience! Team Mgr. Allie Pendleton (40:56) and Christine Miller (44:47) both placed 2nd in their age groups and won honors for placing at the top of the TNT completers for TNT. Side note: Christine Miller is running her 1st Boston Marathon this Monday 4/16. Go IronTeam! Nicky's run is named after a courageous 5 year old boy who lost his battle with a rare form of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (monosomy-7). Nicky's family created the "Nicky P. Foundation" to help other families deal with the challenges of coping with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
www.nickyp.org

***** Kids Race (4/7) *****
Mary Posey helped organize the 3rd Annual "Try the tri" at her local YMCA. The sun did come out for this fun event but the bike course was closed due to heavy rains the day before the event. Everyone had a great time and the funds raised went to help the YMCA. Way to go Mary! Kids 8-14 years old participated in a long course which consisted of a 1.5 mile run, a 400 yards swim and another 1 mile run (Mary's 8 year old son Eric did a great job!) Kids 8-9 years old enjoyed the short course of a 200 yards swim and 1 mile run. Mary noted, "I felt like we had to make the long course a little more challenging since the bike was canceled. Each year the kids seem to want more of a challenge. There will always be the easy course for the beginners". Volunteers also came out to help with body marking and directing traffic. A BIG thanks goes out to Iron-Love couple Joe & Mel Warlow and Super-Star James Raybould for their invaluable help!

***** Upcoming Benefit Concert *****
On Sat. June 2nd @ 8p. there will be a Leukemia Society Benefit Concert at San Jose's The Usual nightclub. All proceeds raised will go to fund cancer research and patient service programs through the LLS. This will be a fun evening for a great cause... invite your friends & family! The event will feature PST and headline the fabulous Wonderbread5. A big thanks to the bands and club for supporting TNT & LLS.

Tickets are $20 and available through ticketweb.com, by phone (408-298-9375), at Street Light Records (980 South Bascom, San Jose) or at the door.

***** A Big Thank You! ****
Our Wildflower training weekend was a success! We couldn't have done it without the help from our dedicated volunteers who drove hours to support us! Thanks for your cheers, directions, fixing flat tires, providing food, drinks and encouragement! BIG kudos go out to: Honoree Kevin Weaver, SAG Captain Stephanie Anderson, Al Echamendi, Adam Quest, Andrew Quest, Chris Stratton, Emily Kanter, Gill Hernandez, Jennifer Quackenbush, Mia Stableford, Karen Sammis, Kristen Firpo, ML Haynes, Susan Richardson, Steven King. Thank you!

***** Inspiring Links *****
Wally Hild's story - a man diagnosed with near-terminal Hodgkin's underwent 8 months of chemo and less than 1 year later he completed the 1996 Ironman Canada! Not only did Wally successfully get back into shape, but he also overcame his inability to swim and fear of water. "I did it to show others what is possible with hope," he said.
www.wallyhild.com

A great resource for local races & events (many for charity): www.competitor.com

Info re: triathlons happening around the San Francisco bay area: home.pacbell.net

***** Things to Remember *****
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon.

***** Future Updates *****
Please send inspirational stories, links & quotes for our next newsletter.

Go IronTeam!
Alison Boudreau